Spinal Affections


Dr. Dewey discusses the homeopathy treatment of Spinal Affections in his bestselling book Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics….


(See also Locomotor Ataxia.).

Cimicifuga. [Cimic]

      This remedy is especially adapted to the reflex form of spinal irritation arising from uterine complaints, and where the lumbar region is most affected. There is sensitiveness to pressure on the upper and lower cervical vertebrae; the patient cannot lean back in a chair; pains change about from one part to another. The pressure also sometimes causes nausea, and there is weakness of the lower extremities and aching in the lumbar region. Amenorrhoea may be associated with these symptoms.

**Sulphur has spinal irritation from suppression of the menstrual flow; jarring causes pain in the spine. Dry heat in spine.

**Belladonna. Burning heat in spine. Stitches in ovaries, bearing down and constant backache.

**Gelsemium. Stiffness in neck and nape, with weariness and depression. Deep seated muscular pains, numb feeling as if feet were going to sleep.

**Hypericum. Spinal affections from injury; parts tend to atrophy, pains, spasms.

Natrum muriaticum. [Nat-m]

      With this remedy there is great sensitiveness between the vertebrae, which is relieved by lying on the back upon something hard, thus giving pressure which relieves. Paralysis from weakness of the spine, morning aggravation, vision clouded, restlessness and debility.

**Pulsatilla. Body feels stiff, small of back feels as if tightly bandaged, joints weak.

**Lathyrus sativus pictures lateral sclerosis and spastic paraplegic conditions with excessively exaggerated reflexes. No pain, but motor paralysis of the lower extremities, absence of atrophy. The writer has had remarkable success with this remedy in the 3rd potency and also the 30th and Boyd reports a cure of a typical spastic paralysis with it.

Physostigma. [Phys]

      This drug pictures spinal irritation; it has burning, twinging sensations referable to the spine; every nerve seems irritated; numbness of the feet and hands; crampy pains; muscles of the back rigid, and like **Sulphur, pains is caused by pressure between the vertebrae.

**Theridion. Pain in spine; has to sit sideways to avoid pressure.

Agaricus. [Agar]

      Tingling and burning in the spine as if frost bitten are symptoms characteristic of this remedy, and no less so are the muscular twitchings in various parts of the body, especially of the eyelids. The sensations are described as resembling needles of ice thrust into the skin. There are fugitive pains along the spinal nerve; in fact, all the symptoms of the drug in the nervous sphere point to spinal irritation. Sensitiveness of spine to touch; lumbago; worse walking in open air.

Zincum. [Zinc]

      This remedy has an irritable spine; there is aching, especially at the last dorsal vertebrae; worse from sitting rather than from walking. Burning along the spine, with trembling of the limbs.

**Zincum valerianate. Spinal irritation from reflex causes.

Sepia has pain at the last dorsal vertebrae, but not the same aggravation.

**Phosphorus. Spine sensitive to touch; weakness of spine; limbs weak; patient stumbles. Progressive muscular atrophy.

**Tellurium. Great pain and sensitiveness of the spine. Dr. G.C.Shelton reports three cases cured by the 6x dilution.

**Chininum sulphuricum. Spinal irritation, with great sensitiveness of the spine in the dorsal region. The last cervical and first dorsal vertebrae are sensitive to pressure.

Cocculus. [Cocc]

      Paralytic aching in the small of the back; empty gone feelings in the abdomen; stiffness of neck; headaches; sleeplessness and hyperaesthesia of all the senses; frequent giddiness; trembling of limbs; tenderness of spine.

**Secale. Tenderness over the spinous processes.

**Argentum nitricum has been used with marked benefit in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Nux vomica. [Nux-v]

      Spinal irritation from sexual excesses; sudden loss of power in the legs in the morning; hands and feet go to sleep easily; stiffness in knees; numbness and formication in spine and in extremities.

**Kobalt. Spinal irritation and backache from sexual excesses.

**Staphisagria. Spinal irritation reflex from sexual causes.

**Strychnia phosphorica. Aching and tenderness along the spine; tired bruised feeling of extremities.

**Tarentula. Anaemia of spine, with spasmodic pains; there are contractions;; chilliness, with a sensation of burning all over the body and convulsive movements.

**Ignatia. Spinal irritation, with hysteria, headache and weight at back of head.

**Kali carbonicum. Spinal irritation; pressure in small of back as of a heavy weight; burning in spine, with bearing down in uterine region. Backache worse when walking.

**Oxalic acid pictures spinal irritation, pains at the roots of the spinal nerves, pains in spots, hyperaesthesia.

W.A. Dewey
Dewey, Willis A. (Willis Alonzo), 1858-1938.
Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College. Member of American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his editoral work he authored or collaborated on: Boericke and Dewey's Twelve Tissue Remedies, Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.