Sciatica and Neck Pain

Causes

The spinal column consists of bony vertebrae, separated by cartilaginous pads (discs). The vertebrae and discs both have holes in the centre (like Polo mints).

The elasticity of the discs allows the vertebrae to bend in relation to each other, so that the whole thing behaves like a rubber hose. Two things can go wrong:

The discs can shrink and lose their elasticity. The vertebrae can become eroded and lose their shape, or may crumble.

If either of these events occur, then sideways displacement of the vertebrae can occur, causing distortions in the spinal tube. This creates pressure on the nerve passing through the tube and extreme pain, pins and needles or numbness.

Solution

The solution is in four parts:

1)      Overcome pain

2)      Overcome inflammation

3)      Repair the discs

4)      Repair the vertebrae

1) Overcome Pain

An extremely effective form of pain control is transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation (TENS). This involves placing electrodes on either side of a pain area, and application of current blocks pain impulses across the pain area for a few hours.

Note: This method should be used with extreme caution by anyone using a pacemaker or with heart trouble. In either of these cases, consult your doctor first!

St. John's Wort, particularly in liquid form, is very effective against nerve pain.

2) Overcome Inflammation

Boswellia

A standardised extract of Boswellia, used on its own at the rate of 600mg per day, has been shown, in one study, to improve symptoms in 97% of patients, aged from 5 to 75, presenting with rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment reduced joint swelling, reduced morning stiffness, increased mobility, reduced heat, increased blood circulation and gave pain relief. In addition to its anti-inflammatory and indirect pain-relieving action, boswellic acid, the main active constituent of boswellia extract, also has a repairing effect on all joint tissues, due to its powerful anti-oxidant effects.

3) Repair the Discs

The main supplement for this is glucosamine sulphate. In mild cases 2,000mg per day may suffice. In more severe cases, it may be wise to start with 5,000-10,000mg per day for a week, and then reduce to 3,000mg per day.

High doses of vitamin C are also necessary. Vitamin C is probably the most important nutrient of all for cartilage repair. We suggest a minimum of 3x1,000mg per day of low-acid vitamin C.

When cartilaginous parts of the body, such as tendons, ligaments and discs, are overstrained, they become calcified. A particular nutrient, boron, can reverse this. Taken at the rate of 3mg per day, it can be useful in chronic cases. In acute cases, three times this dose for a maximum of two weeks could help.

4) Repair the Vertebrae

Calcium and magnesium are two of the main building blocks of bones. These two nutrients therefore need to be consumed in sufficient amounts to rebuild the vertebrae, together with boron, which helps their absorption. Boron therefore helps to repair vertebrae, as well as discs.

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