Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Osteoporosis

• Calcarea Phosphorica
  Common Name: Phosphate of lime
  Symptoms: Calcarea phosphorica is beneficial for children who are irritable and have a weak digestive system and cold hands and feet. It helps treat chronic wasting diseases, non-union type of fractures (a fracture that fails to heal) and bone diseases. Calcarea phosphorica is also effective in case of the following symptoms:
  • Conditions of the bone symphysis - places where the bones form a suture; such symptoms worsen with change in weather
  • Stiffness in the back, neck and limbs
  • Pain in bones and joints of arms and legs
  • Soreness in the sacroiliac symphysis (joint between the sacrum or the part of the vertebral column right above the tail bone and pelvis); the joint feels as if it is broken
  • Numbness in buttocks, limbs and back

Symptoms become worse in cold or humid weather and the patient feels exhausted on going upstairs. All complaints become better in dry and warm climate.

• Calcarea Iodata
  Common Name: Iodide of lime
  Symptoms: This remedy is best suited to overweight children who often suffer from colds. It also helps heal the following symptoms:
  • Weakness in the leg, especially 
  • Piercing pain in the knee, especially at night-time
  • Numbness in fingers and hand

• Asafoetida
  Common Name: Gum of the stinkasand
  Symptoms: This remedy is very effective in treating caries in bones, especially those of the nose. It also provides relief from throbbing pain, especially those that occur at night. Asafoetida is usually given to people who have a fear of being diagnosed with a health condition. Additionally, it provides relief from the following conditions:
  • Bone ulcers that release foul-smelling watery pus
  • Enlargement of the periosteum (outer layer of the bone) along with pain and swelling
  • Bone pain

Symptoms worsen when the patient rests, lies on their left side, and uses warm applications on the affected area. They feel better on moving about in open air or on putting pressure on the affected part.

• Mezereum
  Common Name: Spurge olive
  Symptoms: Mezereum helps treat various kinds of pain and is recommended to people who are very sensitive to cold air. It reduces bone pain and affections of the bones and is helpful in relieving the following symptoms:
  • A darting and burning sensation in the muscles
  • Back and neck pain that becomes worse while moving and at night-time
  • Knee pain
  • Stiff and fatigued joints
  • A burning sensation in long bones such as the tibia (one of the bones in the lower leg)
  • Pain in the knees and hips
  • Burning sensation and soreness in the bones of the thorax

Symptoms become worse after eating warm food, in the evenings and night, in cold air and while moving. They become better in open air.

• Symphytum Officinale
  Common Name: Comfrey-knitbone
  Symptoms: This remedy typically acts on the joints. It helps treat treating the affected periosteum and tendons and neuralgia of the knee. It also helps reduce other symptoms such as:
  • Swelling, inflammation and redness of the upper jaw bone
  • Soreness and pricking pain in the periosteum
  • Deep wounds that penetrate bones
  • Non-union fractures
  • Presence of a sensitive bone at the site of fracture

• Ruta Graveolens
  Common Name: Rue-bitterwort
  Symptoms: Rue-bitterwort works well for people who feel exhausted, weak,  and depressed. It acts on bones, cartilages and periosteum and is hence very quite useful for the treatment of osteoporosis. This remedy also provides relief from other symptoms like:
  • Bone bruises
  • Body pain 
  • Sprains
  • A bruised feeling in limbs and spine
  • Stiffness and pain in the hands, feet, ankles and wrists
  • Pain in thighs after stretching the limbs
  • Soreness in tendons
  • Weakness in thighs and hips after getting up from a chair
  • Aching pain in the Achilles tendon (tendon at the back of the leg)
  • Pain arising due to sciatica, especially while lying down at night-time
  • Extreme restlessness
  • Complaints after straining the flexor tendons (these connect the bones of thumb and fingers to the muscles of arm)

Symptoms become worse in cold and rainy weather and on lying down.

• Silicea Terra
  Common Name: Silica
  Symptoms: Silicea terra is given to people who are highly sensitive to cold weather. They need to wear plenty of warm clothing, as they feel chilly and have cold feet and hands. This medicine is especially effective in diseases affecting the bone, e.g., necrosis (cell or tissue death) and caries. It also provides relief from the following symptoms:
  • Knee pain
  • A sensation as if there is no strength in legs 
  • Contraction and tension in calf muscles
  • Cramps in soles and pain underneath the toes; pain in feet while walking
  • Extreme weakness in the forearm so the patient is not able to use it
  • Sciatic pain in feet, hips and legs

Symptoms become worse in the morning, on lying down on the left side, during periods in women and during the new moon. They become better in summers, in humid weather, and with warmth.

• Calcarea Carbonica
  Common Name: Carbonate of lime
  Symptoms: Calcarea carbonica works well in fat people who tend to sweat in cold weather. It can help treat osteoporosis by stimulating the periosteum. This remedy also helps alleviate the following symptoms:
  • Weakness in arms and legs
  • Rheumatoid pains, especially in rainy weather
  • Swelling in joints, particularly the knee joint
  • Imbalanced nutritional status
  • Muscle tears
  • Sprains

Symptoms aggravate in cold and rainy weather, after physical or mental exertion, while standing and during the full moon. They become better on lying down on the painful side and in dry weather.

• Eupatorium Perfoliatum
  Common Name: Thoroughwort
  Symptoms: This remedy can help reduce soreness and pain in bones. It is also given for the treatment of the following symptoms:
  • Severe backache
  • Pain and soreness in the bones accompanied by increased thirst, followed by fever with chills between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
  • Pain in limbs
  • Muscle soreness
  • Soreness and inflammation in joints due to gout

Symptoms become worse occasionally and get better when the patient gets down on their hands and knees.

• Phosphorus
  Common Name: Phosphorus
  Symptoms: Phosphorus works best for people who are tall and thin and have a narrow chest. These people often have weakness in their nerves and very thin skin. This remedy can help reduce the fragility of bones and is quite effective against osteomyelitis. It also provides relief from the following symptoms: 
  • Stitching pain in the shoulder joint and elbow
  • A build-up of heat between the shoulder blades
  • Numbness in the hands and arms with an inability to hold anything with hands
  • Weakness in spine
  • Necrosis and inflammation of tibia
  • Trembling and weakness after physical exertion
  • Sudden joint dysfunction
  • A burning type of pain in the back
  • Cold knees at night-time

Symptoms become worse in hot weather, after consuming a warm drink or food, with mental or physical tiredness, lying down on the painful or the left side, and during a thunderstorm. The patient feels better in the presence of open air, after eating cold food and getting enough sleep.

Dr. Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathic medicine, has recommended certain lifestyle and dietary guidelines to follow while taking homeopathic treatment to achieve overall health recovery. Following these guidelines will also make sure the remedies act in their full potential and their action is not suppressed by any external factors:

Do’s:

• Try to keep your mind calm.
• Maintain good hygiene.
• Use cotton and linen clothing in the summer season.
• Follow an active lifestyle.

Don’ts:

• Do not consume beverages like coffee and herbal teas, liquors prepared from medicinal spices and odorous water since all of these affect the potency of homeopathic medicines.
• Do not eat an excess of spicy, salty or sugary foods.
• Avoid consuming dishes that contain medicinal herbs.
• Do not read books while lying down.

A homeopathic physician looks into the major factors that cause internal derangement in the body to identify the cause of disease. This helps to cure, manage and prevent diseases. Homeopathic treatment helps manage osteoporosis by correcting calcium malabsorption, assimilating calcium channels in the body and enhancing calcium absorption through the intestine. It also includes improving the dietary intake of calcium along with adding meditation and exercise in daily routine.

Homeopathic medicines are recommended based on the cause of the condition. Remedies like calcarea carbonica, calcarea iodata and calcarea phosphorica have shown significant effects in osteoporosis caused due to age.

A 2008 study indicated that medium potency calcium remedies can increase bone density in osteoporosis patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm the benefits and efficiency of homeopathic remedies in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Homeopathic remedies are made from highly diluted natural substances and hence do not produce side effects, provided they are taken as per the dosage prescribed by a qualified doctor.

Osteoporosis is a weakening and painful condition that commonly affects women and the elderly. Conventional treatment of osteoporosis focuses on symptomatic management and improving bone strength to prevent fractures. Homeopathic treatment for osteoporosis aims at reducing joint pain, swellings, symptoms of diseases that affect the bones and improving calcium absorption in the body. Homeopathy is not only effective but also a completely natural treatment option; therefore, it is a safe option for chronic diseases like osteoporosis. However, it is best to ask a qualified homeopathic physician before taking any remedy. A doctor will take a detailed history and recommend an appropriate remedy, keeping in mind the severity of the disease, the patient's condition as well as their mental and physical makeup.