Joint, Muscle and Back Pains

Pain

Pain is a timely indication that the human machine is not running as smoothly as it should, there is friction somewhere. It has been well said that “pain is a prayer of nerve for relief”. Give prompt heed to these pains, note their nature and location and select the tissue salt most closely corresponding, e.g: Ferr. Phos. throbbing pains, Mag. Phos. cramping pains, etc.

Ferrum Phos. Pain relieved by cold. Worse from pressure. With congestion.
Kali Sulph. Shifting, wandering pains, better in open air, worse in warm room.
Mag. Phos. Better from pressure and warm drinks. Twitching, Fidgety. Cramping pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the structure in and about the joints. There is pain, swelling and redness of the affected joint. The condition usually begins in the small joints of the hands, especially the fingers. Subsequently other joints are involved. With recurrent attacks the joints tend to become swollen and fixed. In comparison with the swelling of the joints there is wasting of the surrounding muscle.

Osteoarthritis is another form of arthritis. It is a common disorder of the joints. It is characterised by the gradual destruction of the central part of the cartilage lining the affected joint. There can be changes in bone structure that could include new bone formation which may occur in the form of spurs (an abnormal projection of bone). In advanced cases surgery may be required.

Ferr. Phos. At the commencement of acute arthritis with pain, swelling, redness, etc. In later stages can be used as an intercurrent remedy.
Kali Mur. 6x. In acute stage, in alternation with Ferr. Phos.
Nat. Mur. 12x. Chronic arthritis, acute gout (after Ferr. Phos.), chronic gout; rheumatic arthritis, especially of finger joints; synovitis.
Mag. Phos. Useful as an intercurrent remedy for the violent pains.
Kali Sulph. Shifting and wandering pains, rheumatic in character.
Silicea and Cale. Sulph. 12x. Used if suppurative process in the joints is present.
Nat. Sulph. Acute attacks of gout, alternated with Ferr Phos: used alone in chronic gout.
Calc. Phos. Rheumatic gout, worse at night and in damp weather.
Calc. Fluor. Gouty enlargements of the finger joints.

Rheumatism

A collective term covering a variety of conditions involving inflammation of the connective tissues of muscles and joints and characterised by pain in the affected parts. There are several factors, some or all of which may be concerned with the cause of rheumatism, such as focal infection, acidity, heredity, toxaemia, and exposure to inclement weather.

At the onset there is congestion and inflammation and if this can be broken up promptly a serious attack may be averted. For this purpose the tissue salt Ferr. Phos. is needed. Ferr. Phos. is the oxygen carrier of the blood, its action enables the tissues to “breathe’ and so to burn up their waste products. The local congestion is thus relieved and the inflammation subsides. Ferr. Phos. is useful as a first aid for acute attacks of rheumatism.

Another associated symptom of rheumatism is acidity. Faulty elimination allows the accumulation in the blood of acid waste products which have a bad effect on the general circulation. The acid neutralising tissue salt Nat. Phos. breaks up these harmful acids and so helps to bring about their elimination.

In rheumatic ailments, all the eliminative organs are involved, kidneys, liver, bowels, lungs, even the skin.

There is some hold-up in the body’s waste transport system, the organs concerned are lacking in tone and efficiency. The great vitaliser of this transport system is Nat. Sulph. This tissue salt brings about the removal of the poison-charged fluids which are the normal result of the chemical exchange constantly taking place in the living tissue-cells. If conditions arise which allow these waste matters to accumulate in the blood and tissues, then self poisoning results. The importance of Nat. Sulph. to rheumatic subjects thus becomes evident.

Other tissue salts may sometimes be required owing to complications, but the three salts mentioned above are the ones most frequently needed.

Calc. Phos. Rheumatism worse at night, by eat, dampness, and change of weather. Stiffness and numbness of the joints.
Calc. Fluor. Enlargement of the joints from rheumatism.
Ferrum Phos. First stage of rheumatism: fever, pain, heat, redness and quickened pulse. Fibrositis, pain increased while moving; soreness and stiffness all over the body.
Kali Mur. When swelling has developed: movement increases the pain (alternate with Ferrum Phos.)
Kali Sulph. Wandering or fleeting pain in rheumatic fever. Acute articular rheumatism of a shifting nature, pains worse in the evening and in warm air, better in cool air.
Nat. Sulph. To remove excessive uric acid from the blood.
Nat. Phos. One of the principal remedies. Sour-smelling perspiration, sour taste in mouth; creamy yellow coating on the base of the tongue.

Mag. Phos. Acute, sharp, spasmodic, excruciating, violent pains, relieved by warmth.
Silicea. To break up accumulation of urates around the joints and in cavities.

Fibrositis

Aching, soreness, or stiffness of fibrous tissues with obscure cause. Fibrositis is the popular term applied to muscular rheumatism. The onset may be acute or gradual, it can affect a whole area, such as back and shoulders, or be localised in one place. Exposure to damp and cold is a predisposing factor.

Ferrum Phos. Principal remedy for acute inflammatory pains brought on suddenly by cold, unaccustomed exercises, strains, etc.
Kali Sulph. Pains fleeting or shifting.
Mag. Phos. Sharp, spasmodic pains, relieved by warmth.

Writer’s Cramp

A neurosis with stiffness of the fingers.

Calc. Phos. Cramplike pain in fingers and wrist.
Nat. Phos. Hand troubles while writing, with crampy pain.
Kali Mur. Hand gets stiff while writing.
Mag. Phos. Cramps and twitching.

Synovitis

Synovitis is inflammation of the membrane lining a joint. There is usually an effusion of fluid with swelling and pain. It occurs in certain rheumatic diseases and also as a result of injuries and strains, particularly those arising from athletic activities. Bursitis is a somewhat similar condition.

Calc. Fluor. A useful remedy in long standing cases that are slow to respond to treatment.
Ferum Phos. For the pain, stiffness and inflammation.
Nat. Sulph. To disperse the infiltration of fluid.
Silicea. For chronic synovitis of the knee, with swelling and difficulty of movement.

Swelling of Knees

Swelling of knee is very common and often precipitated by inflammation of joints. The degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis also cause swelling of knee.

Kali Mur, & Calc. Phos. Often effective in the affections causing swelling of the knees.

Gout

Gout is a constitutional disease in which there is an excess of uric acid in the blood. It has a marked tendency to be hereditary and it could be regarded as a good example of a disease in which the children suffer for the carnal sins of their fathers. Those who come from “gouty stock” may become typically gouty in their old age.

Those who lead a sedentary life and indulge in rich food and liquor appear to be predisposed to this disease.

Gout is more common in mature age than in the earlier years of life. In a typical attack of gout there is a severe pain in a joint, usually the big toe. The joint swells and becomes intensely hot.

Any jarring of the affected joint causes extreme pain. When the trouble assumes a chronic form, the joint becomes permanently swelled and remains tender and sensitive at all times.

Ferrum Phos. For the fever and other inflammatory symptoms.
Nat. Sulph. Chief remedy for gout, especially if due to rich food, with bilious symptoms. In acute attack alternate will Ferrum Phos.
Nat. Phos. If there is marked acidity, creamy coated tongue, sour smelling sweat, etc. Chronic gout.

Bunions

A painful swelling at the base of the big toe which bends the toe towards the other toes so that they crowd there. The bursa is infamed and the adjacent skin thickened. The deformity often results from wearing narrow, light shoes that have pointed fronts. Change to welb fitting broad toe shoes.

Silicea 12x is an effective remedy.

Sciatica

Sciatica is inflammation of the great sciatic nerve which runs down the back of the thigh. It can follow exposure to cold and damp, causing irritation of the nerve. There may be a rheumatic tendency. Pressure from other causes may also be responsible for sciatic pain. A slipped vertebral disc is not an uncommon cause of pain in the sciatic nerve. The trouble may first be felt a little behind the hip joint, and then extending downwards even as far as the foot. Hip, knee and ankle joints are particularly tender areas. In severe cases movement of the limb is very painful and rest in bed becomes necessary.

Calc. Phos. Crawling and tingling with the pain. Attacks return in cold weather. Tearing, shooting in hip bone.
Kali Phos. Pain extends down the back of the thigh to the knee, dragging pain, torpor, stiffness, great restlessness and pain, nervous exhaustion, lack of motor stimulus. Moving gently for a time gives relief. Neurasthenic type.
Nat. Sulph. Sciatica with symptoms of constitutional gout. Pain in hip joint, worse when rising from a seat or moving in the bed.
Nat. Mur. Tensive pain in the right hip joint and knee, with painful contraction of hamstrings; limb emaciated and painful to touch; pains renewed or increased in a recumbent posture, even in day time more towards noon; relieved by heat. Chronic cases after quinine.
Mag. Phos. Pain excruciating, spasmodic pain relieved by warmth.
Silicea. Chronic cases; pain worse motion. Pain in hips. On walking, calves feel contracted.

Backache

Many people have an aching pain in the back. Pain, stiffness or tenderness in the back is a symptom to be met within a number of different diseases. In rheumatism, chronic or acute, there may be much pain and stiffness. Pain in the back about the level of the waist is very often due to spinal disease, or it may be due to kidney trouble. Lumbago is a very common form of backache which is always made worse by stooping.

In women pain in the back is so common that women have been divided into two classes, “those with backs and those without them”. In some cases the pain may be due to a disorder of the reproductive organs. In such cases the pain is usually felt low down in the back. There are, however, many women who suffer from pain in the small of the back without any sign of disease and who are otherwise perfectly well.

Calc. Phos. 6x. For young people growing too rapidly, backache after any heavy work in morning with creeping sensation.
Calc. Fluor. Dragging pain in lower part of the back often associated with uterine troubles, or piles.
Nat. Mur. 12x. Backache relieved by lying on something hard.
Kali Phos. If connected with loss of vital fluids and nervous disturbances. Backache worse by movement.
Mag. Phos. Neuralgic pains along the spine. Pains sharp and shooting: better by heat.
Nat. Sulph. Rheumatic pain in back; worse in damp weather and at night

Lumbago

Lumbago is a form of rheumatism affecting the muscles of the lower part of the back. It is sometimes brought on by exposure to cold and damp or unaccustomed exercise, such as bending and lifting. There is an inflammatory condition of the muscular tissues (Ferr. Phos.) with congestion and pressure upon the nerve endings. Lumbago usually comes on suddenly, like a stab in the back, and it may be difficult or impossible to move on account of the pain. The attacks are usually of short duration.

Treatment is on similar lines to that recommended for rheumatism. The local application of heat and gentle massage, if this can be borne, should bring a measure of relief.

Calc. Phos. Backache and stiffness from slightest draught, worse in morning.
Calc. Fluor. Lumbago following a strain.
Ferrum Phos. Early stage, fever, inflammation, severe pain.
Nat. Phos. Lumbago with acidity; rheumatic tendency.
Nat. Mur. Lumbago relieved by lying on something hard. Pain as if bruises from prolonged stooping. Sensation of coldness up and down the spine.

Affections of Bones

Various mineral salts are indispensable in the formation, growth and proper nourishment of the bone structure of the human body.

A deficiency of Calc. Phos. in the bone cells may cause faulty growth and soft bones, and prevent proper repair after fractures.

Cale. Fluor. and Silicea are normally present to give needed density to the outer surfaces and coverings of the bones, and a deficiency of these salts is a cause of disturbances in these areas.

Calc. Fluor. and Silicea 12x give needed density to the outer surfaces and coverings of the bones; ulcerations of bones; hard, rough elevations and bruises of the covering of the bones.

Calc. Phos. Faulty growth and softness of bones. Its use establishes proper repair of fractures. Rickets, osteoporosis, osteomalacia and fistulous ulcers.
Ferr. Phos. Acute osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone marrow), osteitis and periosteitis, etc.
Kall Mur. Second stage of bone marrow inflammation.

Cramps

Is a painful spasmodic contraction of muscles, most frequently occurring in the limbs, but also apt to affect certain internal organs. This disorder belongs to the class of diseases known as local spasms, of which other varieties exist in such affections as spasmodic asthma and colic.

The cause of these painful seizures resides in the nervous system, and operates either directly from the great nerve centres, or, as is generally the case, indirectly by reflex action, for example, when attacks are brought on by some derangement of the digestive organs.

Mag. Phos. is a sure remedy.
Calc. Phos. Follows to strengthen the work of Mag. Phos. Alternate.

Diseases of Hip

The upper part the thigh at its junction with the bullour grasi capable of grant vausity of moments at the same time suffers a lot of strains. Dislocation and arthritis, are common diseases of hip joints.

Calc. Phos. This may stop destruction of bone and suppuration and promote new bone formation.
Cale. Sulph. Discharge of pus etc.
Ferr. Phos. Pain, throbbing, heat and inflammation of soft parts.
Kali Mur. Second stage of inflammation when swelling of abscess has commenced.
Nat. Sulph. Affections of left hip joint in sycotic patients of a constitution which are worse in dampness, sea climate, etc.
Silicea. To prevent or control suppuration and heal the part. It helps in limiting the suppuration in third stage and also the destruction of bone, Promotes new bone formation. Sore pain in the hip joints of rachitic children.
Nat. Phos. Hip diseases in scrofulous subjects.