Signs & Symptoms

• Endometriosis: The patient experienced intense lower abdominal pain during menstruation, which had worsened over 3-4 months. Her menstrual cycle shortened from 27 to 22 days, and she had to rely on painkillers to manage the pain.
• Cervical Spondylosis: She also reported right-side neck pain radiating to her wrist, with swelling and discomfort, which worsened during daily activities. Six years ago, she faced similar issues, but they subsided with physiotherapy.

Other symptoms included poor posture habits, sound sleep, normal appetite but reliance on a cereal-based diet with refined foods, and a moderate body build (BMI of 29 kg/m²). A coated tongue indicated poor elimination of toxins, and her blood pressure was 104/72 mmHg.

Treatment

In this case report, the patient underwent a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan using naturopathy and yoga for managing both endometriosis and cervical spondylosis. The focus was on using natural therapies to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve overall well-being. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the treatment approach:

1. Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy was a central component of the treatment plan, with specific asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) tailored to the patient’s condition.

• Loosening Exercises: Performed to gently mobilize joints from head to toe, improving circulation, flexibility, and body awareness.

• Standing Asanas:

  • Vrikshasana (Tree Pose): Strengthens leg muscles, improves balance, and enhances focus.
  • Trikonasana (Triangle Pose): Stretches the spine, neck, and shoulders, relieving stiffness and improving flexibility in the cervical region.
  • Veerbhadrasana (Warrior Pose): Builds strength in the legs and core, increases stamina, and helps correct posture.
  • Tadasana (Mountain Pose): Improves posture, relieves tension in the neck and back, and promotes better alignment of the cervical spine.
  • Tiryak Tadasana: Focuses on lateral stretching, which helps relieve pressure from the cervical spine and reduces neck pain.

• Sitting Asanas:

  • Vakrasana (Twisted Pose): Enhances flexibility in the spine and relieves lower back and abdominal discomfort, helping with endometriosis symptoms.
  • Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend): Stretches the lower back and pelvic muscles, promoting relaxation and relieving menstrual pain.

• Supine Asanas:

  • Lumbar Stretching: Specifically targets the lower back, easing tension and pain caused by endometriosis.
  • Pawanmuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose): Reduces gas and bloating, which is beneficial for digestive issues often associated with endometriosis.
  • Uttitapadasana (Leg Raise Pose): Strengthens abdominal muscles and improves circulation in the pelvic region.

• Prone Asanas:

  • Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Stretches and strengthens the spine, reducing cervical spondylosis-related pain and stiffness.
  • Shalabhasana (Locust Pose): Strengthens the muscles of the lower back, relieving discomfort in both the lower abdomen and neck.
  • Marjariasana (Cat-Cow Pose): Improves flexibility of the spine, enhances mobility in the cervical region, and reduces stiffness.

• Pranayama:

  • Bhramari (Bee Breathing): Helps in calming the mind and reducing stress, which is crucial for managing chronic conditions like endometriosis.
  • Anuloma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Balances the nervous system, improves oxygen flow, and promotes relaxation, benefiting both endometriosis and cervical spondylosis.

• Relaxation Techniques:

  • Deep Relaxation Technique: A 15-minute practice that focuses on calming the nervous system, reducing muscle tension, and alleviating pain. This practice promotes healing and mental clarity, essential for managing chronic pain and discomfort.

2. Naturopathic Interventions

Naturopathy focused on detoxifying the body, reducing inflammation, and promoting natural healing through various therapies.

• Neutral Water Enema: Administered to detoxify the digestive system, improve bowel movement, and eliminate toxins that may contribute to systemic inflammation.

• Cold Abdominal Pack: Applied for 20 minutes to reduce inflammation in the lower abdomen, relieve menstrual cramps, and stimulate the digestive system, promoting detoxification and relief from endometriosis symptoms.

• Steam Bath: Daily 10-minute steam sessions helped open pores, improve circulation, and promote overall relaxation. Steam therapy is especially effective for cervical spondylosis as it loosens stiff muscles and reduces neck pain.

• Neutral Hip Bath: A soothing 20-minute bath that reduces lower abdominal discomfort, improves circulation, and supports the body’s natural detoxification process. It is particularly useful for menstrual pain in endometriosis.

• Partial Massage for Back, Neck, and Shoulder:

  • Regular 20-minute massages, 10 sessions in total, were applied to the back, neck, and shoulders, focusing on easing muscle tension and stiffness caused by cervical spondylosis. Massage also promotes lymphatic drainage, reducing swelling and discomfort in the neck and wrist.

• Hot Sand Fomentation: This heat therapy was applied to the back, neck, and shoulders for 15 sessions, 15 minutes each. Hot sand fomentation reduces muscle stiffness, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from pain and swelling in both the cervical spine and wrist.

• Cold Arm Pack and Hot Arm Bath: Alternating between hot and cold treatments on the arms helps reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and alleviate wrist pain. The cold arm pack reduces swelling, while the hot arm bath soothes stiff muscles.

• Mud Pack and Eye Pack: Mud packs applied to the abdomen and eyes for 15 minutes over 6 sessions were used to reduce inflammation, promote relaxation, and eliminate toxins. This helps in reducing abdominal pain and balancing the body’s energy systems.

• Neutral Immersion Bath: A 20-minute bath that calms the nervous system, reduces pain, and alleviates tension in the cervical spine.

• Acupressure: Targeted acupressure therapy for 5 sessions, focusing on the upper back, hands, and feet, helped relieve muscle tension and promote healing, particularly in the neck and wrist joints.

• Ultrasound Therapy: Applied for 15 minutes over 4 sessions to reduce inflammation in the cervical region and provide deep tissue healing. Ultrasound therapy accelerates recovery in areas affected by cervical spondylosis.

3. Dietary Modifications

The patient was also advised to follow a naturopathic diet that included intermittent fasting and juice diets to detoxify the body and promote healing.

• Juice Diet:

  • On days 1 to 3, 8 to 10, and 15 to 17, the patient followed a juice-based diet consisting of tender coconut water, carrot juice, and sweet lime juice. These juices are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes, which help reduce inflammation and improve digestion, essential for managing endometriosis.

• Intermittent Fasting:

  • On days 4 to 7, 11 to 14, and 18 to 21, the patient followed intermittent fasting with a time-restricted eating window. Breakfast included papaya, apple, and guava, while lunch featured a light meal of chapati, boiled vegetables, and pulses. Dinner was a repeat of fruits. This eating plan helps regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support weight loss, all of which are beneficial for both conditions.