What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? What can you do about it?

Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment

Ankylosing Spondylitis (pronounced ang-kuh-low-zing-spundle-itis)

I like to break words down and really delve into their meanings. I find that it helps me to better understand what things really mean:

Ankylosing-Spondylitis comes from the Greek word "ankylos" which means "fused" and "spondylos" which means "vertebrae" and "itis" which means "inflammation". So basically the word means an inflammation and fusion of vertebrae.

Why is fusion a bad thing? Well, the spine is a flexible and bendy part of the body and you need it in order to twist, turn, stand up, cough, sneeze, sit, make breakfast, drink Starbucks, etc. If the ol' spine is fused up it is basically hardened, inflamed and inflexible to some degree. A spine that is fused is painful, uncomfortable and a major cause for grumpiness and unhappiness and a great accelerator towards death (decreased mobility and pain lead to obesity, decreased organ function, decreased mood, etc). People like to be active - the body likes to be active. When they are immobile bad things result.

Spondylitis is a kind of spinal arthritis basically and it typically affects younger males and then as things get worse and worse (doesn't see a Chiropractor) -- it can work its way up the spine and start fusing joints together so they don't move freely without pain. Not a good state to be in.

Contrary to some beliefs out there Chiropractic is not a luxury. Chiropractic is necessary for the proper function of joints, vertabrae, nerves, musculoskeletal functions of the entire body. The Chiropractic "adjustment" puts the body's systems back into proper alignment and allows for proper healing and proper function. Ankylosing Spondylitis is far from how the body was naturally built to function and natural medicine alternatives such as Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, etc are the best ways to avoid it.

The Sacro-iliac joints (pronounced say-crow-illy-ack) are located in the pelvic area of human beings and there are two of them. These joints are tough, tough, tough and bear up to a lot of weight and pressure. They basically are the joints that join the pelvis to the spine and they are probably two of the top important joints there are in the body.

These joints (one or both) can became inflamed and irritated with AS and then after awhile become fused and mobility becomes very limited and painful.

When Ankylosing Spondylitis is full-blown the person is really in a lot of discomfort and pain and it takes frequent and sometimes, intensive, visits to the Chiropractor to keep the patient mobile, active and painfree.

Spondylitis is very common. The inflammation of the spinal joint is no fun and the pain and stiffness that comes along with it are also no fun.

If you have any doubt about whether you have Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) then please see a professional Chiropractor and get yourself x-rayed and checked out. It is serious business and not to be taken lightly. Do not let this "disease" continue on one day longer. I cannot tell you how many patients come to me as the last resort and wait too long and I find out that they have severe and chronic arthritis and severe Akylosing Spondylitis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercise Exercise and strengthening of your muscles, especially the core group of muscles (abdominals, lower back, hip, etc) are an additional good way to combat Akylosing Spondylitis along with natural alternative medicine treatments like Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Diet and Massage. I myself, have a small gym in the back of the office and use stretchy exercise bands to work the body's core. I like these stretchy bands because you can take them anywhere there is a door and get in a good 2-5 minute workout.

-Dr. Edward Owens D.C.

(425) 802-5432

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