Symptoms

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Pain radiating to shoulders or arms
  • Numbness or tingling in arms
  • Headaches (occipital)
  • Restricted neck movement
  • Muscle spasm
  • Sleep disturbance from pain

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Age-related disc degeneration
  • Prolonged poor posture (screens, phones)
  • Occupational strain
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Previous neck injury
  • Constitutional factors (Vata predominance)

Evaluation

  • Clinical examination
  • X-ray cervical spine
  • MRI for cases with neurological symptoms or planning intervention

Treatment

Ayurvedic Internal Medication

Individualised prescriptions for pain, inflammation, and Vata pacification.

External Therapies

  • Oil applications
  • Local warmth
  • Massage where appropriate

Panchakarma

  • Greeva Basti (cervical oil pooling): specialised local therapy
  • Nasya for cervical-related headaches
  • Full Basti course for Vata pacification
  • Kati Basti if lumbar involvement

Lifestyle

  • Ergonomic correction
  • Neck exercises (specific set)
  • Screen and posture habits
  • Sleeping position and pillow guidance

Realistic Expectations

  • Pain relief typically within 2 to 4 weeks
  • Functional improvement over 4 to 12 weeks
  • Structural degeneration cannot be reversed; goal is symptom management and functional preservation
  • Long-term care includes ongoing lifestyle discipline

When to Consider Modern Intervention

  • Progressive neurological deficit (arm weakness)
  • Difficulty with fine hand movements
  • Symptoms of cervical myelopathy
  • Severe unrelenting pain
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control (emergency)

We coordinate referral to appropriate specialists in these cases.