Written By: Mita Majumdar | Updated : February 17, 2015 4:59 PM IST
Cervical spondylosis is the wear and tear -- generally age-related -- affecting the vertebrae and the spinal discs of the neck. The cervical spine is made up of 7 bones, often denoted as C-1 to C-7. The first two bones attach the skull to the spine and allow your head movements. The next 5 bones form the neck bones. These vertebral bones are cylindrical in shape. Between each of these vertebrae there is a disc which has a tough fibrous outer layer and a gel-like inner part.
How does cervical spondylosis develop?
As we become older, the vertebrae and the discs start to degenerate. This is a natural process. The edges of the vertebrae degenerate and may form small spur-like outgrowths. The discs become thinner. Many people don't have any symptoms but in some the muscles and nerves become compressed because of the bone degeneration. This causes neck pain.
Symptoms of cervical spondylosis
If you have cervical spondylosis you may experience symptoms such as
Managing the pain basic treatment for cervical spondylosis
The treatment is basically the management of pain so that you can stay active. Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy, neck traction, cold packs or heat therapy for the pain. Since relieving the pain is of prime importance for this condition, alternative medicine practices such as reiki, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, etc are better suited for the purpose.
Reiki for managing cervical pain
'When I was recently in hospital there was one incident when my pain killers had run out and the PCA had failed. So for about 10 minutes I was feeling the full force of my post op pain. Whilst the technicians sorted it out, nurse Alison did this reiki on me. It got me from crying and very upset and uncomfortable and in a bad way to calmer, a lot calmer. She was talking to me in a very calm voice and moving her hands over my 'pain' and telling me to breathe in through my nose for 4 seconds and blow out through my mouth for 6 seconds and she did this until the diamorphine got flowing. But I felt in a better state with her than just with IV pain killers,' said Mr. X, who just had his spine surgery.
Reiki is a Japanese word meaning 'universal life energy'. It is a hands on and distance spiritual practice that helps heal the body and mind through gentle, non-intrusive touch and compassionate intention. It can be used as a complementary therapy to accelerate healing. This energy healing practice is known to relax muscles, calm the mind and ease pain. It brings about a deep sense of warmth, comfort, deep relaxation and revitalization.
Reiki works on the principle that the human body has two aspects the visible physical body and the invisible energy field, aura surrounding the body and the energy flowing inside the body. Chakras are the energy centres through which the energy leaves our body and enters our body. There are seven main chakras in our body and seven classic hand positions in Reiki practice that equate to these seven chakras
Reiki healing is based on tapping this infinite energy for healing body, mind, and spirit.
Reiki hand position / points for cervical spondylosis
Reiki experts believe that stress, unresolved emotions, inability to communicate well actually causes the cervical pain. For cervical spondylosis, hands are used on throat both front and back (reiki point 6), back thymus (reiki point 21) and root chakra (reiki point 26).
Point 6 throat chakra front and back
Point 21 back heart chakra back thymus
Point 26 root chakra
'One of the main causes of cervical pain is stress, unresolved emotions and inability to communicate and express. The chakra that has to be treated here is Vishudhhi or Throat Chakra. The word 'HUM' is the cure word for spondylitis as it the Mantra for this Chakra and it helps to strengthen the thyroid gland,' says ShanuGoyal, Reiki Master Teacher.
Reiki can be practiced on self or others. However, to be really effective, it is best you get your Reiki for cervical spondylosis done by a Reiki expert.
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Reference:
Patient.co.uk, (2014). Cervical Spondylosis. What is cervical spondylosis and symptoms | Health | Patient.co.uk. [online] Available at: https://www.patient.co.uk/health/cervical-spondylosis [Accessed 26 Aug. 2014].
Spine-health, (2014). Reiki for pain control. [online] Available at: https://www.spine-health.com/forum/treatment/alternative-treatments/reiki-pain-control [Accessed 26 Aug. 2014].
E-mcity.org, (2014). Emerald City Reiki Center: Template Page. [online] Available at: https://www.e-mcity.org/reikifaq.htm [Accessed 26 Aug. 2014].
Gupta MK.Healing through Reiki.India: PustakMahal; 1998. 81 p.
Reader), S., Reader), S. and profile, V. (2012). REIKI - The Divine Energy: Heaing Cervical spondylitis through REIKI THERAPY. [online] Reiki-divine-energy.blogspot.in. Available at: https://reiki-divine-energy.blogspot.in/2012/08/heaing-cervical-spondylitis-through.html [Accessed 26 Aug. 2014].
