ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS What is Spondylitis / Ankylosing Spondilitis? Spondylitis means inflammation in the joints of the spine, and comes from the Greek word for vertebra (spondylos). As the inflammation goes and healing takes place, bone grows out from both sides of the vertebrae and may join the two together; the stiffening this causes is called ankylosis. The cause is not yet known. Occasionally more than one member of a family may get it as there is a hereditary factor As is neither infectious nor contagious, nor can it be caused by athletic activity or injury.

Areas of inflammation caused by Ankylosing SpondylitisAdding Video to Blog by VideoLightBox.com v1.8

However, symptoms sometimes follow unusual exertion or strain, which may be blamed at first. Typically, it attacks young men but it can occur in women as well.

The backbone
The backbone, or spine, is made up of 24 bones (vertebrae) and 110 joints. The three main sections, cervical, thoracic and lumbar, differ in their shape and curve. The cervical (neck) section is the most mobile. In the thoracic (chest) section each vertebra has a rib attached by joints on each side. Below the lumbar section is the sacrum which sits like a keystone in the ring of bone which forms the pelvis. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) usually starts at the sacroiliac joints which lie between the sacrum and the pelvis (see Figure 1).

Not just backache
Back troubles are some of the most common complaints seen in a GP's surgery. Most people with back pain don't have AS. The most common cause of backache is 'back strain', which can happen at any age. A 'slipped disc' is another example. In older patients degenerative or wear-and-tear problems often affect the back. Diagnosis is made by listening to your symptoms and examining you. Your doctor may do certain blood tests and arrange for an x-ray.

The effects (early signs)
At the start AS usually causes low backache and stiffness and may be misdiagnosed as common back pain. You may feel pain in the buttocks, possibly down the back of your thighs and in the lower part of your back. You may have first noticed these symptoms after some exertion or strain. Aches and pains in the neck, shoulders and hips, or in the thigh (like sciatica), may follow.

In a few cases, and especially in children, the first complaint may not be in the back at all, but in the hip or knee, or in the leg – perhaps just a swollen knee.

In the beginning, in spite of these complaints, even careful examination by a doctor may reveal nothing.

Some people experience nothing more than a series of mild aches and pains coming and going over a period of months, never troubling them greatly. Others pass through a phase of active AS when symptoms are more troublesome; they become generally unwell, lose weight and tire easily. Gradually the ailment settles down and the worst pains disappear.

When AS has been present for several months the back may stiffen, usually lower down; and in some sufferers the disease then dies out, causing no further trouble. The stiff back is often painless and does not interfere with physical activity, because the upper part of the spine, the neck, hips and limbs can remain quite normal. If you feel stiff in the early morning this is a sign of inflammation and perhaps it may be an hour or so before you have properly limbered up – it may indicate the need for anti-inflammatory drugs.

In its early stages AS causes considerable pain, but effective treatment is available to relieve this, even though the discomfort is not always banished. In some people the disease becomes much less active, or even ceases completely. In others the disease continues to be active, causing pain and stiffness. At first you will most probably be able to carry on with your work and lead a normal life. Later you may find it difficult to continue in the same job.

Limb joints
Sometimes, either earlier or later, AS may affect joints other than the spine. The hips, knees, ankles and shoulders may be involved. The smaller joints of the hands and feet can be attacked, but usually only in a few places. You may experience a period of aching in the joints in question, perhaps with some swelling. As a result some of them may not move fully, but with treatment and active exercises from the start the disability should remain slight. In particular, your hip must not be allowed to stiffen in a bent position as this can lead to damage in the knees, and cause more backache.

Other trouble spots
Tender places may sometimes develop in bones that are not part of the spine – the heel bone for example. When this is affected it becomes uncomfortable to stand on a hard floor. The bone of your 'seat' (ischium) can be involved and make sitting on chairs uncomfortable.

Some sufferers experience chest pain. This does not come from the heart, but from the joints between the ribs and the breastbone. You may notice a strapped-in feeling as the ribs become less easy to move. However, your lungs are working well because the diaphragm is not affected. Breathing exercises will help you maintain ribcage mobility.

Iritis (inflammation of the iris which forms the pupil) occasionally occurs, so if you suddenly develop a red eye go to your doctor immediately.

Other rare complications, affecting less than 1 patient in 100, may occur. These include the heart, lung and nervous system, but treatment is available for all of them. Sufferers with AS are not any more at risk from getting heart attacks, strokes or cancer than the general population. Colitis, or inflammation of the bowel, is associated with AS in some people, as is a skin condition called psoriasis

How is Spondylitis / Ankylosing Spondylitis treated?
There is no cure at present for AS. The aim is to relieve the symptoms, to improve spinal mobility where this has been lost, and to allow you to maintain a normal job and social life. Although AS will tend to become less active as you get older, treatment must continue. In particular you must pay close attention to good posture, mobility and exercise. Although the disease cannot be cured, much can be done to help. Doctor can prescribe tablets that relieve pain and inflammation. Good exercise and a good night's sleep will generally supply sufficient freedom from pain. Massage and other similar therapies also work by allowing the muscles around the spine and other affected areas to relax.

When using our therapy on a regular basis many of our clients have reported sustained symptomatic relief from this and many other health ailments.

Client reported benefits for Ankylosing Spondylitis include:

• Reduced pain levels by relaxing associated muscle tissue.
• Increased mobility and range of movement.
• Decreased Fluid Retention.

To read more about our therapy click here or to learn more about the general benefits of massage therapy click here

To see if you can receive similar or possibly even better results why not take us up on our offer of a free in-home demonstration.

Remember you have nothing to lose but your pain and just like many of our current clients in the years to come you could be reporting back to us your improved quality of life.