Ankylosing Spondylitis

If you are having an early-morning stiffness and pain in your lower back, which becomes better or reduces during the day with exercise or as you get into your routine and have also persisted for more than three months, there are chances that it could be more than just a simple wear and tear in your back. You could be suffering from ankylosing spondylosis (AS).

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a disease that causes arthritis of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). In a person suffering from AS, joints and ligaments that normally allow the spine to move, get inflamed and stiffen up. This inflammation takes place where the ligaments or tendons are attached to the bones. As a result the elastic tissue is replaced by bony growth. Continued forming of new bone can lead to fusion of the vertebrae (bones of spine) thus leading to great reduction in the movement of spine. AS can also affect eyes, lungs, bowel and heart.

Ankylosing spondylitis affects males 2-3 times more commonly than females. Researches suggest that there is a strong link of AS being genetically inherited. The HLA-B27 gene can be detected in most patients with ankylosing spondylitis. This disease is thought to be an auto immune disorder, which means that body’s own defense cells damage the joints of the spine

Pain and stiffness are the first symptoms and are usually felt in the low back and upper buttocks. Rest of the spine and neck can also be affected. The starting of pain and stiffness is usually in a gradual manner which worsens over a period of months .It is very rare that these symptoms become worse suddenly. Mostly the pain is felt in the morning or after prolonged periods of inactivity. This pain and stiffness becomes better with movement. In advanced cases where the fusion of the spine has taken place there is complete loss of mobility. The areas become brittle and are vulnerable to get fractured. The spine becomes inflexible (bamboo spine) which also makes standing and walking difficult.

Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is mainly dependant on the history of the symptoms and x-ray findings. HLA b-27 gene marker is also found to be present in the patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis. Diagnosis of AS is usually delayed as the pain is attributed to more common back problems.

Homoeopathic treatment can be a great boon to the patients if the intervention is started well in time. In this disorder too, the homoeopathic medicines work by optimising the body’s overactive immune (defense) system. The stage of the disease at which the homeopathic treatment is started, is a major factor in determining the outcome of the treatment. For example if the treatment is started in the initial stages when not too much of the elastic tissue is lost, the prognosis are very good and the condition can be reversed in most of the cases .In stages where extensive bone formation has replaced elastic tissue, homeopathic medicines may not be able to reverse the situation but can still help in easing many symptoms. Among other Homoeopathic medicines, I have found Aesculus Hippocastanum as an extremely effective remedy in treating ankylosing spondylitis.

Self care in ankylosing spondylitis

Regular and moderate amount exercise can have a great effect in reducing the severity of disease also in slowing the progression.

Stretching and range of motion exercise have a very important role in the self care for those suffering from AS.

Despite the stiffness, maintain a proper posture.

Specific breathing techniques can help in maintaining good expandability of lungs.

 This feature ( authored by Dr. Vikas Sharma ) was earlier published in The Tribune(north India’s largest circulated daily newspaper). Dr. Vikas Sharma is regular Homeopathic columnist for The Tribune.You can mail him at vikas@drhomeo.com