Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines for Lumbar Spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis refers to degeneration affecting the lumbar spine (lower back). This condition is also known as spinal osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease. Any of the spinal structures including the vertebrae, intervertebral disc, ligaments, and joints may be affected. Vertebrae are the bones in the spine and between every two vertebrae, lies an intervertebral disc. The intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous cushions that act as shock absorbers whenever stress is felt in the spine.

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old natural healing science highly reliable and effective in treating cases of lumbar spondylosis. To start with, homeopathic medicines provide symptomatic relief to the patient with lumbar spondylosis. Symptoms like pain/stiffness in the lower back, radiation of pain down to the legs and numbness/tingling sensation in the legs get relieved magnificently with these medicines along with improvement in the range of movement of the spine. They simultaneously halt the degenerative process in the spine that is causing or in some cases, worsening the lumbar spondylosis. Conventional mode of treatment mainly recommends pain killers, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids in lumbar spondylosis cases. These medicines though give prompt relief in pain, but in the long run carry the risk of side effects and dependency. While homeopathic medicines cause no side effects and dependency, they can easily be stopped on getting the desired results.

Homeopathy is a symptom-based science. It means the ideal homeopathic medicine for every case of lumbar spondylosis is selected based on the symptom presentation. This properly selected medicine as per individualised symptomatic approach gives wonderful results in cases of lumbar spondylosis.

Homeopathic medicines provide long-term relief in lumbar spondylosis cases by working at a deep level. With the regular use of homeopathic medicines for the recommended period as suggested by a homeopath, excellent results occur in such cases. The use of homeopathic medicines can help in reducing dependency on conventional medicines to a great extent.

One of the biggest advantages of using homeopathic medicines is they are prepared from naturally occurring substances. These do not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins.

Top 8 Homeopathic Medicines for Lumbar Spondylosis

Some homeopathic medicines that are prominently indicated for lumbar spondylosis include Rhus Tox, Bryonia Alba, Aesculus Hippocastanum, Phosphorus, Colocynthis, Magnesium Phos, Gnaphalium Polycephalum and Cobaltum Metallicum.

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine for Lumbar Spondylosis

Rhus Tox is one of the top grade homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis. The major symptoms for using Rhus Tox in lumbar spondylosis are pain and stiffness in the lower back. Rest tends to worsen the complaint. Movement and walking may bring relief. In some cases, applying hard pressure provides relief from pain. Use of Rhus Tox is also recommended in cases of lumbar spondylosis following injury. Rhus Tox is also one of the best homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis or lower back pain caused by lifting heavy weights.

When to use Rhus Tox?

This medicine is well indicated to manage lumbar spondylosis with pain and stiffness in lower back when complaints worsens from rest and gets relieved from walking or hard pressure on back. It is also prominently indicated for back pain is worse from injury or lifting heavy weights.

How to use Rhus Tox?

Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with low potency. So, initially it can be taken in 30C potency two to three times a day.

2. Bryonia Alba – Where Movement Worsens Back Pain

Bryonia Alba is the most wonderful homeopathic medicine for lumbar spondylosis where lower back pain worsens from the slightest movement. Walking or even turning in bed aggravate the lower back pain. Absolute rest brings relief. Stooping, too, worsens the back pain. Stiffness in the lower back is also observed in such cases where Bryonia Alba will work as one of the most effective homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis and show great improvement. Stiffness gets worse on standing and sitting.

When to use Bryonia Alba?

It is the best choice of medicine to manage cases of lumbar spondylosis with lower backache which gets worse from even a little movement, walking, stooping and turning in bed while relief sets in from absolute rest.

How to use Bryonia Alba?

This medicine is mostly recommended in 30C potency. Bryonia 30C can be taken twice or thrice daily.

  3. Aesculus Hippocastanum – For Lumbar Spondylosis where Rising from a Sitting Position Worsens Pain

Aesculus Hippocastanum is one of the most suitable homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis cases where rising from a sitting position worsens the pain. The person in this condition needs to make several attempts before he can rise from his seat. Weakness, lameness in the lower back is also felt. Walking and stooping worsen the back pain.

When to use Aesculus Hippocastanum?

This medicine can be considered for lumbar spondylosis cases with lower backache that gets worse when rising from sitting position along with weakness in lower back.

How to use Aesculus Hippocastanum?

It is best suited in 30C potency that can be taken up to 2 times in a day.

4. Phosphorus – For Lumbar Spondylosis with Back Pain and Burning in Spine

In lower back pain cases where the pain is attended with a burning sensation in the spine, Phosphorus is the choice among homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis that will show the greatest improvement. The back feels as if it would break from pain. Weakness is also felt in the back.

When to use Phosphorus?

This medicine can be selected for managing back pain attended with burning in the spine in lumbar spondylosis cases.

How to use Phosphorus?

This medicine can be used in 30C power once a day.

5. Colocynthis – For Lumbar Spondylosis Where Pain Radiates Down Left Leg

Colocynthis is one of the most effective homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis where pain from the lower back radiates down the left leg. The pain may be cramp-like, shooting, drawing or tearing in nature. Pressure over a painful area provides relief. Lying on the left side also helps to relieve pain. In some cases, heat application on the leg brings relief. Colocynthis is rated among the best homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis for the above symptoms.

When to use Colocynthis?

The key symptom to use Colocynthis in lumbar spondylosis is lower back pain radiating down the left leg. Relief is noted from heat application, or pressure on the painful area.

How to use Colocynthis?

One may take this medicine in 30C potency twice or thrice a day as per symptom intensity.

6. Magnesium Phos – Where Pain from Lower Back Radiates down Right Leg

One of the most well indicated Homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis where pain in the lower back radiates down the right leg is Magnesium Phos. The pain radiating down the leg may vary from sharp, cutting, stabbing, lightening-like in nature. The pain appears intermittently or in paroxysms. Hard pressure or warm application over the painful part brings relief.

When to use Magnesium Phos?

It is an ideal medicine to deal with lumbar spondylosis with lower back pain radiating down the right leg that gets better from pressure or warm application.

How to use Magnesium Phos?

Usually, it is used in 6X potency and can be administered three to four times based on the severity of pain.

7. Gnaphalium Polycephalum – For Back Pain and Numbness in Legs

Gnaphalium Polycephalum is one of the most highly recommended homeopathic medicines for lumbar spondylosis where symptoms include back pain radiating down the legs and numbness in legs. Resting on the back brings relief from back pain. Flexing the thigh on the abdomen also provides relief.

When to use Gnaphalium Polycephalum?

Its use is mainly advised when back pain is accompanied with numbness in legs in lumbar spondylosis cases.

How to use Gnaphalium Polycephalum?

It is available in different potenices from low to high. To begin with, it is advised to take this medicine in 30C potency once or twice a day.

8. Cobaltum Metallicum – Where Sitting Worsens Back Pain

Cobaltum Metallicum offers much help in treating low back pain from lumbar spondylosis where sitting worsens pain. Walking provides relief. In some cases, lying down also brings relief. Pain from the lower back may radiate down the legs and feet in cases where Cobaltum Metallicum will prove the most efficient homeopathic medicine for lumbar spondylosis.

When to use Cobaltum Metallicum?

This medicine can be taken in lumbar spondylosis cases when pain in the lower back gets worse from sitting and better from walking and lying down.

How to use Cobaltum Metallicum?

Cobaltum Metallicum can be used once a day in 30C potency.

What causes lumbar spondylosis?

Lumbar spondylosis is largely a result of wear and tear of the spinal structures with age, mainly disc degeneration like drying/shrinking/ breaking of disc and formation of bony spur (extra bone formation near ends of bones). However, it may be caused by injury to the spine as from a fall, sports injury or car accident. The overuse of the spine in physical activities like gymnastics, weight lifting or even postural disorders from a sitting job or working long hours on a computer can make one prone to lumbar spondylosis. Besides, smoking and obesity may also be contributory factors in the development of lumbar spondylosis.

Symptoms of lumbar spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis may not show any overt symptoms. However, where symptoms do arise, the major among them are discomfort or pain in the lower back. In addition to this, stiffness and lack of mobility in the lower back may also be felt. In some cases, pain from the lower back may radiate down the leg. Other accompanying symptoms are numbness, tingling sensation and weakness in the legs.