The spinal cord injury can turn your life into a nightmare. It is damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. This condition is causing permanent changes in the sensation, strength and other body functions below the site of the injury. When someone has spinal cord injury, then all aspects of his/her life are affected. It can affect you emotionally, socially and mentally. The complete spinal cord injury is when all abilities to control movement are lost.
The incomplete spinal cord injury is happening when you have some motor or sensory function below the affected area. The most common symptoms of spinal cord injury are changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility; exaggerated reflex activities or spasms; loss or bowel or bladder control; loss or altered sensation, including the ability to feel heat, cold and touch; loss of movement; difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from your lungs; pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage which has happened to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord.
The most common causes for spinal cord injuries are diseases; alcohol; sports and recreational injuries; acts of violence; falls; motor vehicle accidents. If you suffer from spinal cord injury, then you should talk with your doctor about the best home remedy for you before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies. Here are some home remedies for spinal cord injury:
Yoga help in spinal cord injury
Contents
- 1 Yoga help in spinal cord injury
- 1.1 Psychotherapy
- 1.2 Acupuncture treat spinal cord injury
- 1.3 Turmeric
- 1.4 Check water depth before diving
- 1.5 Cayenne pepper
- 1.6 Prevent falls
- 1.7 Omega – 3 fatty acids
- 1.8 Dealing with intimacy, sexuality and sexual activity
- 1.9 Do not drink and drive
- 1.10 Take precautions when playing sports
- 1.11 Helichrysum essential oil
- 1.12 Looking ahead
- 1.13 Coconut oil
Yoga can help to keep your mind and body in a good condition. This will make easier for you to cope with physical and psychological pain which is caused by the spinal cord injury. This gentle stretching can help alleviate the muscle tension which often comes with a more sedentary lifestyle. Also, the steady yoga can play an important role in the rehabilitation which can help you to gain more mobility and greater independence. [1]
Psychotherapy
The spinal cord injury can change your life in something which you have never hoped to. The stress caused by this condition can be immense, for both patients and their caregivers, which can lead to anxiety and depression but also to increased pain [2]. Psychotherapy can help you even if you are not feeling depressed. You will learn new ways to cope with daily challenges. Also, you can experience less pain because this therapy can teach you how to manage the pain caused by spinal cord injury.
Acupuncture treat spinal cord injury
This type of technique targets specific points on the body and it can be used for many different health problems. Nowadays, doctors are extensively using acupuncture for reducing the pain caused by spinal cord injury and to improve the long – term outcomes. Even if the acupuncture will not work for you, it is painless and harmless, so you can try this home remedy. [3]
Turmeric
This is an ancient Indian spice which is rich in nutrients and also it has many medicinal properties which can help to treat different diseases. This home remedy is also extensively used in the modern medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. There are some studies in which are said that the turmeric has the ability to control the spinal cord injury, even better than drugs. Also, in this study is said that turmeric has a powerful ingredient known as curcumin which is possessing anti – inflammatory properties which can help to heal many different diseases. [4]
When the spinal cord injury is caused by trauma to the spine, then curcumin can reduce the inflammation and heal the injury in natural way. Also, the curcumin which is present in the turmeric can aid in the rejuvenation of the cells in the spinal cord which makes the healing process quicker. You can consume turmeric or add to your foods but talk with your doctor about the best way and dosage in which you should consume it.
Curcumin is having anti – oxidant properties which can help to neutralize free radicals in the body which can lead to damage and diseases. It will boost the activity of your body’s own antioxidant enzymes and it can help to fight against free radicals. It will directly block free radicals from damaging cells and it will boost your immunity.
Check water depth before diving
You should not dive into a poll which has shallow water. You should check the water depth is about 3.7 meters or deeper. You should not dive in water for which you do not know the depth.
Cayenne pepper
There are some studies in which are said that cayenne pepper is one of the most effective home remedies for spinal cord injuries. Cayenne is used in the natural treatment of many different diseases, not just spinal cord injury. Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin which is a compound that can stimulate the blood circulation and improves flow and this can speed up the recovery process of spinal cord injury. [5]
Prevent falls
You should use a step stool with a grab bag to reach objects that are in higher places. You can add handrails and stairways. You should put nonslip mats in a tub or shower or on tile floors. If you have young children, then you should use safety gates to block stairs and you should install window guards.
Omega – 3 fatty acids
Omega – 3 fatty acids are essential for the brain to function properly. It is noticed that lack of Omega – 3 fatty acids can lead to many problems, like dementia and diabetes type 2. Also, there are some studies in which are found that Omega – 3 fatty acids can be used as a natural treatment for spinal cord injury because they can help the nerves in the spinal cord to function properly. You can consume flax seed oil because it is rich in these essential fatty acids. Also, you can consume high – quality fish oil which is richer in Omega – 3 fatty acids than flax seed oil. You should eat high – quality fish because otherwise you will be drinking mercury. [6]
Dealing with intimacy, sexuality and sexual activity
When you have spinal cord injury, then it can affect your body’s response to sexual stimuli. Normally, every single person is a human being with sexual desires. It is possible to have fulfilling emotional and physical relationship but it needs patience, experimentation and communication. You can talk with a professional counselor which can help you and your partner to talk about your needs and feelings. Your doctor will give you medical information which you need for your sexual health. In this way you can have a satisfying future which will be filled with intimacy and sexual pleasure.
Do not drink and drive
It is very important not to drive under the influence of drugs or to drive while intoxicated. If you have a friend who is drank, then do not go on ride with him because this is increasing your chances of getting spinal cord injury.
Take precautions when playing sports
You should wear the recommended safety gear when you are playing sports. You should avoid leading with your head in sports. You should not slide headfirst in baseball and you should not tackle using the top of your helmet in a football. You should use a spotter for new moves in gymnastics.
Helichrysum essential oil
This essential oil is known for its ability to regenerate nerves in the ears. There are some doctors who are recommending the usage of helichrysum essential oil as a home remedy for spinal cord injury. If you have decided to use it as your home remedy, then you need to talk with your doctor about the best way to use it.
Looking ahead
The spinal cord injury has a sudden impact on your life and the lives of people who are closest to you. When you first hear that you have spinal cord injury, then you are starting to make a mental list of all things which you cannot do anymore. But as more you learn about your injury and your treatment options, then you will be surprised how much things you can do.
There are many treatments, devices and technologies which can help you participate in track meets and play basketball even you are diagnosed with spinal cord injury. Also, you can make paints and take photographs. You can get married, have and raise children so you should not be sad about your condition. You can ask for a new job.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil can be used as a home remedy for spinal cord injury. This is a miracle natural cure which is used for hundreds of years for many different diseases. It can help you in the improvement of spinal cord injury. Talk with your doctor about the best way to use it as your home remedy for spinal cord injury. [7]
References:
[1] Shrivastava S, Wane M, Dulani R, Dhongre M. Yoga for rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury: A rural Experience. 2013.
[2] Sturgeon JA. Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 2014;7:115–24.
[3] Heo I, Shin BC, Kim YD, et al. Acupuncture for spinal cord injury and its complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:364216.
[4] Sanivarapu R, Vallabhaneni V, Verma V. The potential of curcumin in treatment of spinal cord injury. Neurology Research International. 2016;2016:9468193.
[5] Mcdougall J. Chilli peppers and the mystery of neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. Retrieved from www.vchri.ca/chilli-peppers-and-mystery-neuropathic-pain-after-spinal-cord-injury
[6] Figueroa JD, Cordero K, Ilan MS, De Leon M. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve the neurolipidome and restore the DHA status while promoting functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2013;30(10):853–68.
[7] Shanbhag VKL. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(1):106–9.