Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published February 27, 2024, Last updated February 27, 2024

Writer’s cramp is an idiopathic movement disorder. It is a specific type of focal dystonia that affects your hands, fingers or forearm. Another name for writer’s cramp is Focal Hand Dystonia (FHD). The following homeopathic medicines for writer’s cramp are very effective –

1. Anacardium
2. Cyclamen
3. Mag Phos
4. Picric Acid
5. Stannum Met

   Before we come to the use of these medicines on the basis of their individual symptoms, let us understand the problem in a little more detail.

What is a Writer’s Cramp?

As I have mentioned earlier, Writer’s Cramp is a neurological movement disorder and a task specific focal dystonia. It manifests as abnormal postures and muscle spasms which interfere with normal motor performance. In this case, it tends to hinder normal movement of the hand or fingers. Latest classification of Writer’s Cramp considers it as sporadic focal dystonia.

It manifests when you attempt a specific movement or perform a particular task. This task could be writing with a pen, sewing, using the computer keyboard or playing a musical instrument like a piano. Writer’s cramp is more common in men and in the age group of 30 to 50.

Types of Writer’s Cramps

There are primarily two types of writer’s cramps.

• Simple Writer’s Cramps

This affects mainly a specific type of activity like writing or playing an instrument. It starts only when you pick up the pen to write or to play a musical instrument.

• Dystonic Writer’s Cramps

This type of cramp affects other activities too. It becomes more generalized. You may find it difficult to hold an object, eat, dress up or shave.

Symptoms of Writer’s Cramps

The symptoms usually begin with a little tension in fingers, hand or forearm that interferes with writing or playing an instrument. Slowly, the symptoms progress and you may find it difficult to coordinate your muscles that direct a particular movement. There may be significant pain in the fingers, hands or forearm while attempting any movement like writing, holding a book or even turning pages of a book. Cramps develop turning your hands or fingers into distorted shapes. Wrists may flex. Your hands or fingers just don’t seem to obey your commands.

Causes of Writer’s Cramps

• Overuse of specific muscles like those of the hand while writing and poor or incorrect posture can cause cramps.
• Holding the pen tightly or at a certain inappropriate angle can lead to muscle cramps.
• Repetitive use of certain muscles can even result in remapping of the brain.
• Recent studies suggest Writer’s Cramp may even have its origin in the brain though this has not been conclusively proved.
• Stress is a contributory factor and can aggravate any preexisting condition. It is not known to cause the cramps but can trigger them at any time.
• Family history of cramps can predispose one to have them also though it is not necessary that if your father has it, then you will have them too.

Homeopathic Treatment of Writer’s Cramps

Homeopathy has a very high success rate in the treatment of writer’s cramps. Homeopathic medicines help in strengthening the nerves and the muscles. Correction of incorrect posture is a must before one can start expecting results. Once the incorrect posture is corrected, homeopathic medicines work wonders in the treatment of writer’s cramps.

Homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps

Here are the 5 best homeopathic medicines for writer’s cramps. These medicines have proved to be very effective in the treatment of this trouble. Although, one has to use other medicines in some cases depending upon symptoms in each individual case, these medicines are more frequently indicated.

1. Anacardium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for writer’s cramp with a sensation of a plug

2. Cyclamen – One of the best homeopathic remedies for writer’s cramp affecting thumb and index finger

3. Mag Phos – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps better by heat

4. Picric Acid – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Writer’s Cramps with shooting pains

5. Stannum met – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps with a tendency to drop things

I am giving a brief description of the symptoms that indicate the usage of these 5 medicines. These are just indicative symptoms and one needs to go into a lot of details to select the right medicine.

1. Anacardium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for writer’s cramp with a sensation of a plug

When there is a sensation of a plug in the affected parts, Anacardium is one of the best homeopathic medicines for writer’s cramp. This may also be described by some patients as a sensation of a hoop or a band around the affected part. There are tensive pains in the hand and arm along with trembling. A feeling of fatigue is present in the affected muscles. Cramp like pains are present in the hand. There is increased appetite and patient feels hungry all the time. He even feels better after eating, even though he may have eaten a little while earlier only.

2. Cyclamen – One of the best homeopathic remedies for writer’s cramp affecting thumb and index finger

When the cramps primarily affect the thumb and index finger, Cyclamen is one of the best homeopathic remedies for writer’s cramps. There is painful traction in the arms and the wrist. The fingers contract and the thumb and index finger have to be extended by force. Pains are as if bruised. These pains get worse by touch, pressure and movement and are better by rubbing.

3. Mag Phos – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps better by heat

When the cramps are better by application of heat, Mag Phos is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps. Tetanic spasms are common. There is weakness in hands and arms. Fingertips are stiff and numb. Hands shake involuntarily. The cramps are worse in cold and are better in heat or application of warmth.

4. Picric Acid – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Writer’s Cramps with shooting pains

When the cramps are accompanied by shooting pains, Picric Acid is one of the best homeopathic remedies for Writer’s Cramps. Shooting pains are felt in the hands and they often go to sleep. There are spasms and tiredness. Brain fag is a common symptom accompanying the cramps. All the troubles are aggravated by any mental exertion or even by studying.

5. Stannum met – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps with a tendency to drop things

When there is a tendency to drop things, Stannum Met is one of the best homeopathic medicines for Writer’s Cramps. There is spasmodic twitching of muscles of forearm and hand. Fingers jerk when holding a pen or pencil. Weakness in limbs is pronounced, almost to the point of paralysis. There is restlessness in all limbs. The pains appear gradually and subside gradually.