The spine supports your body and the brain and helps you to stand erect. If the supporting structure itself is diseased and curved you will not be able to stand erect. This is what happens when you are suffering from scoliosis. The spine gets deformed.
It bends sideways and takes a C like or S like appearance on x-ray. However, in reality the structure is three dimensional and the bending can be both sideways and from front to back. Scoliosis can lead to build up of pressure on the heart, diminished lung capacity and restricted physical movement.
There may be several precipitating factors behind such condition, but most of these are unknown. The worst thing about scoliosis is that there is hardly any instance where the spine has got back its initial shape. At most the progression of the disease can be slowed down or stopped. In some cases reversing the curvature to some extent is also possible, but not fully.
However, there are some herbs which can help you to retard the progress of the disease and help in decreasing the curvature in combination with physical therapy and other treatments. Let us explore some herbal remedies for scoliosis.
Herbal Remedies For Scoliosis
Oregano
Herbal oils have a innate property whereby these can let the muscles relax. In scoliosis the musculature surrounding the spine undergoes tremendous strain because of the curvature of the spine. They are in an agitated condition. If you massage the spine and the surrounding areas with herbal oils derived from oregano the muscles will feel relaxed.
Not only that the essential oil in oregano also improves the functioning of immune system. With prolonged treatment this can rectify the curvature to some extent. However, you should continue physical therapy along with this to have the maximum benefit.
Thyme And Peppermint
It has been seen that build up of microbes in the spine can lead to scoliosis. To prevent microbe formation you can use herbal oils such as thyme oil which is antibiotic in nature. This will reduce the build-up of microbes and contribute to slowing or stopping the progress of the disease.
The anti-inflammatory properties of thyme and peppermint oils also contribute to lessening the inflammation of the surrounding musculature. Regular massage with a combination of thyme and peppermint oil in conjunction with physical therapy can rectify scoliosis to some extent.
Collard Herbs
Collard herbs are high in calcium and magnesium the basic building blocks for new bone cells. The natural stock of calcium and magnesium is assimilated by the body better than the synthetic ones. This can lead to some rectification of the spine curvature that results from scoliosis.
A daily dose of collard herbs amounting to 1200 mg of calcium and 800 mg of magnesium can stop the degeneration to some extent and also reduce the curvature in conjunction with physical therapy and braces.
Kale
This herb is also helpful in increasing bone mass. More especially it increases the production of collagen, the elastic fiber like structure that binds bone, cartilages, skin et al. This lends an elastic property to the bone mass. An increase in elasticity of bone mass reduces the brittleness of bone.
This helps the doctor to put pressure on the bone with the help of brace or physical therapy. Increased and sustained pressure and physical therapy will slowly bend the spine in the reverse direction. This will reduce the curvature to some extent, and you will have some reprieve from scoliosis.
Alfalfa
This herb is very rich in silica and vitamin K. Vitamin K helps in close knitting of the bone cells in combination with vitamin D. This helps the bone mass to maintain the level of calcium.
The combination of silica and vitamin K makes alfalfa a strongly recommended herb for use in scoliosis. A regular regimen of alfalfa along with physical therapy will help you to reverse the spinal curvature to some extent.
Arnica
This herb has been used for centuries to treat a variety of bone problems. Off late it has been seen that arnica can help in reducing the suffering from scoliosis too. Arnica works wonders in reducing muscle spasm and stiffness. Muscle stiffness is one of the reasons behind less chance of recovery from scoliosis.
If the muscles around the spine can be made more responsive to chiropractic and physical therapy some rectification in spinal curvature can be achieved. For this you need to massage the whole spinal structure in the back with arnica gel that is available in any local pharmacy. With regular massage with this gel and continued physical therapy you can reduce the curvature of spine by a few degrees.
Photo Credit: http://www.boneclinic.com.sg/patient-education/back-and-neck-pain/scoliosis/
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.