The relative effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication as compared to a homoeopathic complex in the treatment of cervical facet syndrome

Abstract

The literature shows neck pain, including cervical facet syndrome, to be a common problem. It also provides evidence that inflammation plays a role in cervical facet pathology. Prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the first line treatment of allopathic physicians for neck pain. Traumeel S is a complex of homoeopathic remedies indicated in a variety of anti-inflammatory, traumatic and degenerative disorders. It has been clinically shown that Traumeel S is effective in the treatment of inflammation. There is a paucity of clinical research into the treatment of acute neck pain, including cervical facet syndrome, with antiinflammatory agents. The aim of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of piroxicam, an NSAID, with Traumeel S in the treatment of acute cervical facet syndrome. The study was a double-blind, comparative, clinical trial. Fifty consecutive patients complying with all inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the Traumeel S group or the piroxicam group. Each patient in the NSAID group received 40 mg of piroxicam per day for the first two days and 20 mg per day for the following 5 days. The Traumeel S group received the same dosage of placebo piroxicam capsules and 3 Traumeel S tablets in crushed form, per day. Placebo Traumeel Stablets, also in crushed form, were taken 3 times a day by the NSAID group to facilitate blinding. III Patients were assessed on days 1, 3 and 7 of the trial. Subjective assessment involved two questionnaires: the CMCC Neck Disability Index, and the NRS-101