What is Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?

Jérémie Agius Reading Osteopath

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a condition causing inflammation, pain and stiffness in the spine, predominantly in the lower back, writes Reading Osteopath Jérémie Agius. It is a form of arthritis affecting particularly the spine. It can also touch other joints such as the sacroiliac joints, shoulders, hips, knees, ribs and some small joints in the hands and feet. It has a slow evolution and therefore usually causes chronic (long term) symptoms.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is relatively rare and mainly affecting young people in good health, generally men between 15 and 40 years old. The exact numbers affected are unknown. Most studies estimate that AS affects between 1 person out of 500 to 1 person out of 100. It is 3 times more frequent in men than women.

The exact cause is still unknown. It’s an inflammatory condition causing a chronic inflammation of the joints. It is probably due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Genetic factors: AS mainly occur on people presenting a specific gene called HLA-B27. This is why AS is more frequent in some populations or in some families. Nonetheless, the gene isn’t the cause of that condition: it’s only a predisposing factor.
• Environmental factors: scientists think that some environmental factors play a role in triggering the disease in people genetically predisposed. It could potentially be bacteria creating changes in the immune system and triggering Ankylosing Spondylitis. Articular symptoms often start a few weeks following either a digestive or a genital infection.

Although symptoms can manifest periodically, it tends to gradually progress because the inflammation

Development of Ankylosing Spondylitis

persist and carry on deteriorating the joints and the cartilage (vertebral discs) of the spine. With time, a fusion of the vertebrae can occur in some patients. However this condition evolves very slowly, over several years.

It is important to notice that there are some cardiovascular risks. When it is not treated appropriately, the chronic inflammation can increase the cardiovascular complications such as heart attack or peripheral vascular disease.

Although, it is impossible to prevent AS, some life style changes can help prevent the aggravation of the pain and also reduce the stiffness. Here are some of them:

• Sleeping on a firm mattress with a flat pillow (or even without pillow)
• Avoid sleeping on your side
• Practice a gentle physical activity such as swimming
• Avoid staying sitting or standing too long without moving your joints
• Don’t lift heavy weights and learn to protect your back by bending your knees to lift things
• Stop smoking
• Practise a relaxation activity as stress as shown to increase the symptoms

May 5th – World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2018

The very recent world AS awareness day was “Walk your AS off!“. This fun theme was designed to make sufferers of AS remember the importance of keeping mobile, whilst also getting friends, family and colleagues to join up with them to raise money for AS research.

At Reflex Spinal Health we care for patients who have AS and they find our gentle spinal work very beneficial for them.  Maintaining as much spinal mobility as possible, for as long as possible is crucial to maintaining a good quality of life.  We can also offer gentle theraputic massage therapy, as well as our state of the art Class 4 K-Laser therapy as well.

In addition to these few tips, it is also recommended to do some specific core strengthening spinal rehabilitation exercise as well as some stretching, as it is essential to maintain proper posture. Such exercise needs to be adapted very specifically to each person’s symptoms and lifestyle.

Here at Reflex Spinal health, our Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Massage Therapists are fully equipped to help you with the pain, the stiffness and also with your rehab program.

Call Reflex Spinal Health on 0118 946 2100 to learn more about what we do to help.