Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExercisePhysical TherapyPosition ChangesSleepDeep BreathingSmokingTENS TherapyHeat and ColdMedicationAlternative MedicineNext in Ankylosing Spondylitis GuideWhat Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Exercise
Physical Therapy
Position Changes
Sleep
Deep Breathing
Smoking
TENS Therapy
Heat and Cold
Medication
Alternative Medicine
Next in Ankylosing Spondylitis Guide
Natural treatments forankylosing spondylitis(AS), a type of inflammatory arthritis, can help you to deal with pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints. Exercise, nutrition, and smoking cessation are steps you can take to improve fatigue and other symptoms. About 40% of people with AS report using one or more complementary strategies.
There is no cure for AS, and there may be an underlying genetic reason for the diagnosis.Still, lifestyle changes can be used along with available medical treatments to help manage symptoms and slow disease progression. While natural treatments may help to improve your quality of life, talk with your healthcare provider before trying new measures.
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1. Exercise
The Spondylosis Association of America recommends four types of exercise:
AS can lead to a hunched back posture in some people due to joint fusing. This can eventually lead to poor balance, loss of core strength, and risk of falls and injury.
2. Physical Therapy
Postural exercises, for example, can help maintain a healthy spinal curve for as long as possible. A physical therapist can determine the postural exercises specifically tailored for your needs.
Some experts suggest that group physical therapy sessions are more effective in treating AS symptoms than at-home exercise. They also note social benefits with group sessions, in which people who share the AS experience are able to encourage and motivate each other.
Symptoms of Ankylosing SpondylitisSymptoms of ASinclude:Pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints, such as ribs, hips, knees, shoulders, feet, and anklesEpisodes of low back painFatigueEnthesitisAnterior uveitisSpinal deformities, such as a hunched backIn some cases, the vertebrae of the spine can fuse, causing significant stiffness and restrictions in the spine for bending, twisting, turning, and other forms of mobility.
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Symptoms of ASinclude:Pain and stiffness in the spine and other joints, such as ribs, hips, knees, shoulders, feet, and anklesEpisodes of low back painFatigueEnthesitisAnterior uveitisSpinal deformities, such as a hunched backIn some cases, the vertebrae of the spine can fuse, causing significant stiffness and restrictions in the spine for bending, twisting, turning, and other forms of mobility.
Symptoms of ASinclude:
In some cases, the vertebrae of the spine can fuse, causing significant stiffness and restrictions in the spine for bending, twisting, turning, and other forms of mobility.
3. Frequent Position Changes
Sedentary behavior (sitting, lying down) can present challenges for people living with AS.Getting regular, consistent movement may improve quality of life and capacity for exercise.
When you sit still for too long in a car or at a desk, for example, you may feel your spine and other joints freeze up and get more painful and stiff. Take time to stretch your neck, shoulders, and spine, and take walking breaks. You can set an alarm on your phone or watch as a reminder.
4. Sleep Hygiene
More than 90% of people diagnosed with AS report having sleep problems or disruptions.Your sleep position could be contributing to your AS pain. It is recommended to sleep on your back and maintain a neutral spine position with its natural curves.
Serious sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, affect some people living with ankylosing spondylitis.Talk with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing sleep disruptions.
5. Deep Breathing
For some people, AS can make it harder to breathe. This is due to spine curvature and stiffness as well as inflammation and stiffness in the ribs.
In one study, breathing exercises combined with swimming and stretches improved overall function after six months of training.Breathing exercisescan help maintain your rib, chest, and mid-back mobility, reduce pain, improve respiratory function, and improve overall function in people with AS.
6. Quit Smoking
If you have AS and you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to manage your symptoms. One 2019 study of AS patients found thatquitting smokingsignificantly improved their quality of life, AS disease activity, and mobility.
7. TENS Therapy
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation(TENS) units are available over the counter and are popular in treating various types of chronic pain. Some people use these to help with AS-related pain, but more research is needed to confirm any benefits.
8. Heat or Cold Therapy
Passive therapies, such as heat therapy, cold, or ultrasound, may offer benefits but they aren’t recommended to be as effective as active strategies like exercise.
Using heat therapy can help reduce pain and improve mobility in the joints. Some examples include:
Aphysical therapistmay use other therapeutic thermal modalities, such as ultrasound.
Cold can reduce inflammation and swelling. If you are having an AS flare with low-back pain, using a cold pack may help reduce some of the inflammation. Always use cold packs over another fabric, not the bare skin, for no longer than 20 minutes with half-hour breaks.
9. Medication
In addition to natural treatments for AS, your rheumatologist and other healthcare providers will likely recommend medical treatments as well. Some common OTC and prescribedtreatments for ASinclude:
Specific symptoms may require additional treatments, such as eye care foruveitis.
10. Supplements
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy may offer benefits for AS symptoms. These include:
There is no specific diet for AS, although some low-level case studies have found benefits from anti-inflammatory (no gluten, dairy, or refined sugar) diets. Maintaining a healthy weight with AS is also beneficial in reducing pressure on joints.
You should discuss herbal remedies for AS with your healthcare provider. There is minimal research to support the value of medicinal herbs use but there is one ongoing study into how approaches like traditional Chinese medicine might help.
11. Acupuncture
Acupunctureis a traditional Chinese medicine that involves pricking thin needles into specific points along the body to restore energy flow.
Many people with AS find benefits from acupuncture, although evidence at this time is lacking.However, multiple systematic reviews (the highest level of research) on the effectiveness of acupuncture on AS are underway.
12. Massage
Massage therapy is a natural treatment option for AS. It can relax muscles around stiff or fused joints, improve mobility, and help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
Around 30% of people with AS who use complementary treatments report having regular massage therapy.
Summary
Some people may pursue natural treatments for ankylosing spondylitis to complement their existing medical treatments. While there is often less evidence to support these natural treatments, many people with AS report using at least one and finding benefits.
Massage, stretching, exercise, breathing techniques, and more can help you feel better with AS. Talk with your healthcare provider about using complementary and alternative techniques.
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