A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate The Effectiveness of Individualized Homoeopathic Medicines in Chronic Lumbago
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ahr.2025.10.4.4Keywords:
Homoeopathy, Chronic lumbago, Individualized Homoeopathic Medicine, Oswestry Disability IndexAbstract
Background: In today’s world, lumbago is one of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases. It is a disease condition, which is statistically recorded to seek medical attention second only to common cold. It mainly affects muscles, nerves and bones of the back in between the bottom fold of the buttocks and lower edge of the ribs. Globally, lumbago has been ranked 13th in disability adjusted life-years in the year 2010. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol both significantly lessen the pain. However, they shouldn't be used for an extended time duration. Lumbago is extremely hard to manage and there is still no cure. Surgery is advised as the last measure although it is usually unnecessary and rarely succeeds in offering long term relief. The objective of the study was to assess the role of individualized homoeopathic medicines in the cases of chronic lumbago by using oswestry disability index. Study Design is Prospective Observational Study. Methodology: 44 cases of chronic lumbago were treated with Individualized Homoeopathic medicines which were prescribed on the basis of totality of the symptoms. Dose and potency selection was done according to the guidelines given by Dr. Hahnemann in the 5th edition of Organon of medicine. Follow ups of the cases were taken at an interval of 15 days upto 3 months with minimum 6 follow ups. The treatment outcome was assessed by using Oswestry Disability Index after three months of treatment. Results: Out of 44 patients maximum patients showed Improvement (n=35; 79.54%) followed by Status Quo (n=8; 18.18%) and Worse (n=1; 2.27%). Maximum patients were found to be in the age group of 36 to 45 years (n=13; 29.54%) and females (n=30; 68.19%) were more commonly affected than males (n=14; 31.81%). Frequently prescribed medicines were Natrium Muriaticum, Phosphorus and Lycopodium Clavatum. Paired t-test was conducted on the Oswestry Disability Index. The result showed that p value is < 0.05 & value of t (15.115) is greater than the tabulated value in t-table at df = 43 (2.02) which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines were effective in treating Chronic lumbago.
References
Katz, J. N. Lumbar disc disorders and low-back pain: Socioeconomic factors and consequences. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery American. 2006;88(Suppl 2):21–24.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Low back pain information page. 3 November 2015. Archived 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
Koes, B. W., van Tulder, M., Lin, C. W., Macedo, L. G., McAuley, J., & Maher, C. An updated overview of clinical guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care. European Spine Journal. 2010;19(12):2075–2094.
Murray, C. J. L., Vos, T., Lozano, R., Naghavi, M., Flaxman, A. D., Michaud, C., et al. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 291 diseases and injuries in 21 regions, 1990–2010: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The Lancet. 2012;380(9859):2197–2223.
Murray, C. J. L., Atkinson, C., Bhalla, K., Birbeck, G., Burstein, R., Chou, D., et al. The state of US health, 1990–2010: Burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors. JAMA. 2013;310(6):591–608.
Hoy, D., Bain, C., Williams, G., March, L., Brooks, P., Blyth, F., et al. A systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2012;64(6):2028–2037.
Vos, T., Flaxman, A. D., Naghavi, M., Lozano, R., Michaud, C., & Ezzati, M. Years lived with disability (YLDs) for 1160 sequelae of 289 diseases and injuries, 1990–2010: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. The Lancet. 2012;380(9859):2163–2196.
Lawrence, R. C., Helmick, C. G., Arnett, F. C., Deyo, R. A., Felson, D. T., Giannini, E. H., et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and selected musculoskeletal disorders in the United States. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 1998;41(5):778–799.
Loney, P. L., & Stratford, P. W. The prevalence of low back pain in adults: A methodological review of the literature. Physical Therapy. 1999;79(4):384–396.
Dionne, C. E., Von Korff, M., Koepsell, T. D., Deyo, R. A., Barlow, W. E., & Checkoway, H. Formal education and back pain: A review. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 2001;55(7):455–468.
Shetty, G. M., Jain, S., Thakur, H., & Khanna, K. Prevalence of low back pain in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Work. 2022;73(2):429–452.
Treede, R.-D., Rief, W., Barke, A., Aziz, Q., Bennett, M. I., Benoliel, R., et al. A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11. Pain. 2015;156(6):1003–1007.
Baldwin, A., Hjelde, N., Goumalatsou, C., & Myers, G. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties – Mini Edition. London: Oxford University Press; 2016:678.
Ehrlich, G. E. Low back pain. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2003;81(9).
Yates, M., & Shastri-Hurst, N. The Oswestry Disability Index. Occupational Medicine (London). 2017;67(3):241–242.
Mattiuzzi, C., Lippi, G., & Bovo, C. Current epidemiology of low back pain. Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy. 2020;4:15.
Biglarian, A., Seifi, B., Bakhshi, E., Mohammad, K., Rahgozar, M., Karimlou, M., et al. Low back pain prevalence and associated factors in Iranian population: Findings from the national health survey. Pain Research and Treatment. 2012;2012:653060.
Bento, T. P. F., Genebra, C. V. D. S., Maciel, N. M., Cornelio, G. P., Simeão, S. F. A. P., & de Vitta, A. Low back pain and some associated factors: Is there any difference between genders? Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. 2020;24(1):79–87.
Siva, R. R. E., & Adi, B. S. Efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in chronic low back pain: A clinical study. International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2020:17–20.
Witt, C. M., Lüdtke, R., Baur, R., & Willich, S. N. Homeopathic treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A prospective observational study with 2 years’ follow-up. Clinical Journal of Pain. 2009;25(4):334–339.

