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»Alternative treatments for ankylosing spondylitis The National Institutes of Health defines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a broad collection of health systems and products which operate outside conventional medical practices.
The term alternative therapy refers to CAM practices that replace standard medical treatment while complementary therapy describes their use as additional to conventional treatments. The definition of CAM continues to shift because scientists discover new treatments and particular practices gain acceptance in conventional medical practice after proving their safety and effectiveness. Members of an Ankylosing Spondylitis Support Group community use CAM topics to share their experiences while following standard Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment Information.
The United States population dedicates more than $1 billion each year to purchase alternative medical treatments for arthritis management. People choose these therapies because their pain remains unmanaged by standard medication and they want to prevent medication side effects, and medical procedure costs exceed their budget. Patients with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis treatment, psoriatic arthritis treatment and reactive arthritis treatment seek additional symptom management options through CAM therapies.
Although there has been no rigorous scientific evidence to support the use of CAM by people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its related diseases, some patients have benefited from such treatments. Prior to beginning any new treatment (whether it be traditional or CAM), it is important to discuss the therapy with all of your doctors.
The exact way in which acupuncture works on the body remains unclear, but stimulation of acupuncture points by puncturing the skin with hair-thin needles may lead to release by the brain and spinal cord of opium-like molecules that help relieve pain. Enough research suggests that acupuncture relieves pain in some people, and is safe if performed by a trained professional using sterile or disposable needles. More scientific studies are underway to help determine its effect on various forms of arthritis. Treatments may be time-consuming and expensive, although some health plans cover a certain number of acupuncture treatments per year for a variety of conditions.
Some people with spondylitis swear by regular chiropractic sessions, but doctors do not recommend this treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.
Many people with spondylitis find therapeutic massage very helpful, and if done carefully, it can be a beneficial tool for pain relief and stress reduction. If a massage therapist is aware of a person’s spondylitis and understands the disease and any potential manipulation issues, gentle massage can help promote well-being.
It may provide temporary relief of pain or stiffness, and in some cases improve flexibility because of the increased massage-therapyblood circulation. ‘In all my years of experience as a physical therapist, I have never known massage to worsen the symptoms of inflammation in a patient with AS. Deep tissue mobilization is nearly always welcomed by those with AS and is usually given in combination with passive stretches and ultrasound, heat or ice,’ says Mary Rosenberg, Physical Therapist, Los Angeles, CA.
Yet some people with spondylitis cannot tolerate the procedure due to increased pain as a result of the massage. Others attribute massage as a trigger for disease flare-ups.