If you suffer from a Arnold's neuralgia and you react badly to medication or don't want to have injections or surgery, there are no home remedies to speak of. But the good news is that there are alternative therapies available to treat this pathology and find relief.
This article will reveal to you the multiple grandma's recipes used to treat and relieve the symptoms of Arnold's neuralgia.
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First of all, what is Arnold's neuralgia?
La Arnold's neuralgia, also known as greater occipital neuralgia, is a chronic condition that causes severe neck pain that extends to the back of the skull and forehead.
It is initially caused by irritation and/or jamming of the arnold's nerve by the anatomical structures that surround it, or else a neighboring pathology but also common health problems such as diabetes or gout.
Brief anatomical reminder
Le arnold's nerve ou greater occipital nerve, owes its name to the German anatomist who described it for the first time in 1834, Friedrich Arnold.
It is an even nerve qualified as mixed, exercising a double function: sensory and motor.
It is one of the main nerves emanating from the posterior branches of the spinal nerves (or spinal nerves). It originates at the level of the second cervical nerve root, i.e. between the two vertebrae cervical C1-C2 (or atlas and axis).
Its motor function consists in ensuring the contraction of the inferior oblique muscles of the head, longissmus, splenius, semispinatus of the head as well as the trapezius muscle.
These muscles are responsible for the mobility of the head, allowing the various movements of rotations, inclinations and extensions.
On the sensory level, Arnold's nerve emits nerve fibers for the frontal region, the supra-orbital region as well as the back of the skull. It is, among other things, responsible for the sensitivity of the scalp.
What causes Arnold's neuralgia?
The complex and winding journey of arnold's nerve, exposes it to compression phenomena related to its intimate contact with the anatomical elements of the neck. Indeed this intimate connection can be responsible for conflicts causing the pain of Arnold's neuralgia.
There are several causes that can compress the greater occipital nerve. The main one is a cervical spondylosis, a very frequent pathology in senile subjects. This is responsible for the formation of bone spurs which tend to block the exit orifice of the Arnold's nerve.
Head trauma or spine as well as car accidents (with whiplash) can induce bone fractures, responsible for irritation of the nerve fibers of the Arnold's nerve.
Other rarer etiologies can be incriminated: spinal cord malformation, cervical hernia, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
How does it manifest?
The main symptom of Arnold's neuralgia is the neck pain. This originates at the base of the neck and can radiate to the skull and to the face. It will frequently be associated with sensations of burning and electric shocks.
This pain typically presents the following characteristics:
Chronicity : it is a persistent and recurrent pain which induces a deterioration of the patient's quality of life because of the functional and relational discomfort it generates.
Paroxysm : the pain evolves by thrusts followed by a period of calm.
unilaterality.
Exacerbated by the various movements of the head.
Resistance usual analgesics (paracetamol type)
Association with headache taking the back of the skull as well as the frontal region.
5 Home Remedies to Treat Arnold's Neuralgia
Many patients with chronic pain or complex illnesses turn to conventional so-called gentle therapies.
These therapeutic avenues aim to minimize their symptomatology or reduce the side effects of their treatment.
Natural remedies
Natural remedies with an anti-inflammatory effect can be taken at the same time as a medical treatment instituted by your doctor. This is to reduce the side effects of these treatments.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of herbs and essential oils effective in controlling pain and inflammation caused by Arnold's neuralgia. The products are available on the site Country. Use promo code LOMBAFIT15 if you wish to obtain one of the following products, or any remedy aimed at relieving your symptoms and improving your quality of life:
Turmeric. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers very powerful, turmeric is one of the most used plants in a culinary and therapeutic context. The composition of turmeric is essentially made of essential oils, vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C, E, K) and trace elements. But it is to its composition rich in curcumin and curcuminoids that we owe them and calm skin of this spice.
Ginger. In addition to the special flavor it brings to the kitchen and its aphrodisiac properties, ginger is a root well known for its anti-inflammatory powers. the gingerol gives it its anti-inflammatory action. It is an active component acting on the inflammatory pain related to chronic joint inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rheumatic diseases, etc. It has been proven that this active element is also effective in acting on the inflammation linked to arthritis and sciatica. Ginger also has other benefits thanks to its high potassium content and its richness in trace elements (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium) and vitamins (provitamin and vitamin B9).
Omega-3s. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that play a very important role in the functioning of our body. They are provided by food in three natural forms: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Beyond their action on the brain and the cardiovascular system, omega-3s prove very effective against inflammation. Indeed, they have the ability to act on the inflammatory mechanisms in osteoarthritis by slowing down cartilage destruction, thus they reduce the intensity of osteoarthritis pain. Sciatica, being most often linked to an inflammation secondary to a herniated disc, it can also respond to omega-3 provided it is consumed regularly.
Lemon eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a plant most often used in the form of herbal tea or essential oil. She would have anti-inflammatory effects which give it the ability to act on the bone and joint pain in general and the pain of sciatica in particular.
wintergreen. Wintergreen is a shrub from which a very interesting essential oil is extracted. It is one of the most used essential oils in aromatherapy. This oil extracted from the shrub bearing the same name, is used in massage to relieve sciatica and act like a analgesic. Indeed, it provides a heating effect thanks to its ability toactivate blood circulation locally.
These remedies can be used in the form of herbal infusions or as food supplements. Obviously they must be included in a healthy and balanced diet, rich in anti-inflammatory elements.
Thermotherapy
The hot/cold alternation is far from being a simple grandmother's remedy. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of thermotherapy in the treatment of pain, although it is moderate and transient.
The heat exerts a relaxing effect which causes muscle relaxation and contributes to the improvement of tissue elasticity. This effect is related to vasodilation which improves blood circulation.
In the form of hot shower, hot water bottle or compress impregnated with hot water placed directly on the neck for about twenty minutes.
If your Arnold's neuralgia causes headaches extending to the forehead, use the cold on this region. All you need to do is place an ice pack for 20 minutes to relieve your neck pain and headaches.
Certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can provide incredibly effective relief from the symptoms of neuralgia.
Used as a unit treatment or as an accompaniment to other therapies, here are the 3 essential oils you absolutely must have in your pharmacy:
L'lemon eucalyptus essential oil: rich in terpene aldehydes, Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil will act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Peppermint essential oil: Due to its richness in menthol, this oil has a highly refreshing action and remarkable analgesic properties.
True lavender essential oil: in health, true lavender essential oil is recognized for its properties: powerful antispasmodic, muscle relaxant.
In a 50ml bottle, add the above essential oils, then top up with carrier oil. Apply the oil to the neck area and gently massage with fingertips along the painful path.
The massage can be repeated 2 to 3 times a day until relief.
Therapeutic relaxation
Relaxation or meditation are techniques frequently offered to painful patients in addition to medication. Chronic pain can induce negative emotions (stress, depression, anxiety) and these emotions can increase the perception of pain.
Relaxation can therefore be an interesting tool to deal with these internal states by reducing these tensions which affect the perception of pain.
Within the framework of the Chronic Pain, relaxation techniques are offered as a wayanalgesic and desensitization of the nervous system to pain. A daily practice leads to secretions of endorphins (happiness hormones) which have a long-lasting analgesic effect.
You can reduce your stress by practicing meditation, yoga, visualization, hypnosis, tai chi or even respiratory relaxation.
Acupressure
acupressure is a non-intrusive healing method that involves pressing an acupressure area of your body for therapeutic purposes. This area will then trigger either the production of a specific hormone, or the relaxation of a muscle or nerves, and will allow you to feel relief.
This form of punctual stimulation allows the body to benefit from analgesic effects as well as a good dynamization of the blood flow.
Acupressure has been used for millennia in Chinese medicine, which relies heavily on the benefits of acupuncture.
It can be practiced by a professional in the form of acupuncture (needles placed in the body) or at home using a acupressure mat also called acupuncture mat or lotus flower mat.
The latter contains plastic acupuncture points that stimulate specific areas of the body to relieve pain by stimulating the secretion of endorphin (happiness hormone).
The regular use of carpets of flowers associated with the practice of physical activity can be very useful in relieving the chronic pain of the Arnold's neuralgia.
In addition to the remedies mentioned above, tools and accessories can also be used independently. They do not treat the causes of Arnold's Neuralgia, but can temporarily relieve the symptoms associated with this condition. Obviously, they are not as effective as an individualized approach from a healthcare professional. Among the recommended products we have:
My name is Sidali. I am a general practitioner and Web Editor. As a healthcare professional, my mission is to contribute to the relief of my patients' ailments. Being also passionate about writing, I have the pleasure of sharing my solid medical knowledge with the greatest number of readers, by writing popular articles that are very pleasant to read.
My name is Sidali. I am a general practitioner and web editor. As a health professional, my mission is to contribute to the relief of the ailments of my patients. Being also passionate about writing, I have the pleasure of sharing my solid medical knowledge with the greatest number of readers, by writing popular articles that are very pleasant to read.
