Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

 Ankylosing spondylitis is the disease causing chronic inflammation and degeneration of the joints of the spine. It commonly affects lower back joints however occasionally shoulder, hips and rib joints may get involved.

Pain with progressive stiffness and restricted movement in lower back are some of the common symptoms.

What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis has been considered to be an autoimmune disease. (Autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body). Genetic factors (Inherited from parents) play major role as a causative factor of AS.

1. Genetic Factors - About 90% of patients with AS are born with HLA B27 gene. There is blood test to detect HLA B27gene marker.

2. Autoimmune Factor - It is considered significantly involved in the development of AS. Autoimmunity itself may be genetically oriented.

3. Prolong stressful situation- Prolong exposure to stressful situation, anxiety, negative emotions may also lead to AS.

Sign and symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Pain and stiffness in neck, lower back and hips. Reduced flexibility of spine.

Fatigue - It is feeling of tiredness or exhaustion or a need to rest because of lack of energy or strength.

Chronic condition can develop complete bony fusion of the spine. Once fused, the pain in the spine disappears, but the patient has a complete loss of spine mobility.

Chronic Spondylitis can cause forward curvature of the upper thoracic cage causing limited breathing capacity.

Eyes - Blurred vision or photo sensitivity (sensitivity to light). Inflammation of middle layer of eye with redness.

Treatment with conventional (Allopathic) medicines

Allopathic medicine may give temporary relief in pain and stiffness but may cause severe side effects if used for long time. It gives pain relief, reduce stiffness. Most commonly used allopathic medicines are

 A. Sulfasalazine :- This is immunosuppressive medicine. It is commonly used for AS. Prolonged use may cause drug dependency, agranulocytosis (lowered white cell count) and reduction in sperm counts in young males.                     

 B. Methotrexate :- It is a powerful immunosuppressive medicine. It gives short lasting relief but the disease returns with increased intensity on stopping this medicine in most cases.

 C. Corticosteroids :- Similar to methotrexate.

Advantages of Homoeopathic treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis

At Imperial Homeopathy medicines are prescribed on the basis of individual case analysis after considering patient’s genetic, immunological, and psychological parameters. Homeopathic medicines are safe, effective for long lasting relief. It reduces pain, improves mobility of the spine and most important it controls the underlying disease process. IT HAS NO ADVERSE EFFECT.

Homoeopathy treatment in the initial stage of disease, may help reversing the condition.

It regulates the underlying disease process and its further progress.

Homoeopathy treatment addresses the patients altered immunity and treating the roots of autoimmune disease.

Homeopathic medicines are essentially herbal, with no negative effect on body. It does not cause dependency even if taken for a longer period.

Homoeopathy reduces dependency on the chemical based medicines (Allopathic medicine) also the side effect caused by these medicines.

Best Homoeopathic Medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis

1. Rhus tox - It is common medicine to use for AS. It is prepared from plant commonly known as poison ivy. This drug positively affects multiple system of the body including skin, joints, extrimities, eyes, mucous membranes and general vitality. The stiffness associated with restlessness is key indication of this remedy.

2. Aesculus - one of the best remedy for AS with markedly painful and back stiffness. The main indicating features for its use is marked pain in lumbosacral area of the back and hips with extreme stiffness. Severe pain and stiffness in this region make it impossible to walk. Back is extremely rigid, stiff, weak and painful.

3. Kali carb- Best homoeopathic medicine for AS when extreme weakness is felt in lumbosacral back with pain and stiffness. While walking back gives out and the patient has to sit down. The back is very painful, stiff and feel as if it was broken.

4. Kalmia- It is best remedy when pain and stiffness are attended with heat, numbness or prickling sensation. There is pain, lameness, stiffness in lumbosacral area. The pains are accompanied with hear and burning in affected area. The neck region is sore and tender to touch. The neck pain radiates down to arm or in scapula. The pains are worse in the early part of night.

Why Imperial Homeopathy for treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

At Imperial Homeopathy we suggest Holistic Therapy for faster and safe recovery.  

Holistic Therapy = Homeopathic medicines + Lifestyle modification + Dietary modification + Exercise

We do suggest these changes to our patients during first consultation, either in person or through mail. This type of treatment is unique and more effective than the other homeopathic treatments. These suggestions are generally custom made as every individual is different from other.