A stiff neck is more than a pain in the neck. A stiff neck can ruin your day and your sleep! Grumpiness sets in. Driving is difficult and forget reversing out of your garage — that’s not even an option! The fatigue from the missing sleep sets you up for more stiffness and holding your neck in a position to keep the pain (somewhat) at bay can cause other muscular problems to follow.

Bad pillows. Too much computer work. Old injuries. Long drives. It doesn’t matter what has caused the pain. 

Torticollis, the official name for a stiff neck, can result in pain, neck spasms, and the inability to turn your head. Traditional therapy may include heat, physical therapy or wearing a neck collar.

The Banerji’s have provided another homeopathic option. Symphytum 200c mixed with Rhus tox 30c is the Banerji Protocol for this pain. Drop a couple of pellets of each of the homeopathic remedies in your mouth at the same time and let them dissolve. Repeat twice daily, or even more frequently as indicated by the pain and discomfort.

Symphytum officinale, also known as comfrey or “knit bone” is a well known homeopathic remedy to assist in bone fractures, but it is also very helpful for backaches/pain from overexertion and injuries to cartilage, ligaments, joints and tendons — with excessive pain. 

Rhus tox is a go-to homeopathic remedy for joint pains that are worse at first movement. If you’ve had a stiff neck, you know that initial turn of the head can be excruciating, a symptom indicating that Rhus tox is a good fit for this condition. 

I have had clients who have experienced relief in seconds from this homeopathic combination, but not everybody’s pain will resolve that quickly. What you’re looking to happen is a little less stiffness; a longer period of time before the stiffness sets in again and ultimately a return back to a normal swivel and unhindered activities.

Not all stiff necks are a simple fix and may need further homeopathic investigation. If you find yourself in that position, contact me and set up an acute appointment and we’ll see what we can do to get you on your way again.

And, like any condition, if you don’t have quick resolution, have yourself checked out by a medical professional.

Rufus is a big dog and he most likely suffers from the hip joint problems these big fellows are known to endure. He’s been slowing down for a while now and we dare not take him on a long off-road walk because there would be no carrying him back home if he decided to sit down and be done with the walk.

The other day, poor old Rufus couldn’t (or wouldn’t) get up to get his breakfast. He had to have his back end lifted for him to get him on his way. He seemed fine the day before. Fine is relative here. It always seems an effort for him to stand up. There is almost always a groan and a sudden drop when he tries to make himself comfy.

Having no idea what happened to Ruf — did he injure his leg or back or is it just the old age aches of a big dog — I wasn’t sure where to start and he wasn’t helping me figure it out.

After being helped up, he had his breakfast and took himself outside for a bit and plopped back down in his cool room. 

I brought him a homeopathic T-Relief spiked treat*.

T-Relief used to be known as Traumeel and was one of the first homeopathic remedies that I began using on my own. It’s a homeopathic mix which covers a lot of ground:

Arnica — Joint, back, muscle pain
Calendula — pain reliever 
Hamamelis — a good remedy to think of when Arnica didn’t act.
Bellis Perennis — joint and muscle soreness
Belladonna —  pain reliever
Hypericum — nerve pain (see “Poked by a Branch” blog)
Ruta — tendons and ligaments
And a few more remedies thrown in for good measure. 

A lot of homeopaths don’t like the combination remedies. Could an injury or pain be more specifically addressed through a targeted remedy? You bet. But, in a pinch and when you don’t have the working knowledge to guide you to the “correct” remedy, combination remedies can often quickly get you the relief you need.

And, for Rufus, it did just that.

He lounged most of the day, as usual, and he was able to get up for his dinner, albeit slower than usual. A few more doses of T-Relief put him back on track.

If you or your loved one or beloved pet is suffering from aches and pains, contact classicallypractical.com to see if homeopathy can help.

[In writing this article, I see Medinatura also offers a line of Pet products. I have not tried them. The ingredients and price appear to be identical to the people version.]

* I crush the tablet with the back of a spoon or the flat part of a knife and pick up the powder on a piece of meat or cheese and give it to him that way. They can also be put directly in the mouth, between the gum and cheek.
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** Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.