Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Massage, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Pronounced, ank-kih-low-sing spon-dill-eye-tiss, or AS, is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, although other joints can become involved.

It causes inflammation of the spinal joints (vertebrae) that can lead to severe, chronic pain and discomfort. Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the small bones in your spine (vertebrae) to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.

Massage for Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca
Massage for Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
 
Ankylosing spondylitis has no known specific cause, though genetic factors seem to be involved. In particular, people who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at a greatly increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, only some people with the gene develop the condition.
 
Is ankylosing spondylitis a form of rheumatoid arthritis?
 
In Greek, ankylosis means stiffening of a joint means vertebra, and itis means inflammation. Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, but it can affect other joints too.
 
How do you test for AS?
 
There’s also no single test to confirm AS. Your doctor may rely on your symptoms, a physical exam, and blood tests. You also might have an X-ray or an MRI. But this doesn’t always help, because joint damage may not show up right away on imaging tests.
 
What is the best treatment for ankylosing spondylitis?
 
Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex) — are the medications doctors most commonly used to treat ankylosing spondylitis. They can relieve your inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
 
What should you not do with ankylosing spondylitis?
 
But even if you take prescribed medication to improve your quality of life, there are a few lifestyle choices that may worsen symptoms.
  • Sedentary lifestyle. …
  • Poor posture. …
  • Smoking. …
  • Doing too much. …
  • Not taking medication as directed. …
  • Being overweight. …
  • Lack of sleep. …
  • Chronic stress.
How painful is ankylosing spondylitis?
 
People with Ankylosing Spondylitis often describe an ongoing, dull pain that feels like it’s coming from deep within their lower back or buttocks, along with morning stiffness. It is not unusual for symptoms to worsen, get better or stop completely at regular intervals.
 
Does ankylosing spondylitis reduce life expectancy?
 
People with AS have an increased risk of 60% for cerebrovascular mortality, and an overall increased risk of 50% for vascular mortality. About one-third of those with ankylosing spondylitis have severe disease, which reduces life expectancy.
 
Can ankylosing spondylitis affect your eyes?
 
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis. It causes pain and stiffness, mainly in your spine. But it can also cause eye inflammation called uveitis. Left untreated, uveitis can harm your vision and, in some cases, lead to blindness.
 
Does ankylosing spondylitis get worse with age?
 
Although ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive disease, meaning it tends to worsen as you age, it can also stop progressing in some people.
 
Can you live a long life with ankylosing spondylitis?
 
Prognosis. Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to lead normal and productive lives. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people with ankylosing spondylitis will become severely disabled.
 
How can I reverse my ankylosing spondylitis naturally?
 
  1. Stretching. Stretching helps build flexibility and may reduce pain. …
  2. Heat therapy. To reduce stiffness and pain, apply a hot-water bottle or heating pad to the affected area. …
  3. Cold therapy. …
  4. Acupuncture. …
  5. Massage therapy. …
  6. Movement. …
  7. Exercise. …
  8. Alexander Technique.
Can we stop the progression of ankylosing spondylitis?

AS is a progressive disease which means it worsens over time. There also isn’t currently a cure. But there are ways to slow the progression of the condition and help you stay active.
 
Is milk good for ankylosing spondylitis?
 
These two nutrients strengthen bones, reducing your risk for osteoporosis. Most adults need 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day but ask your health care provider how much you require. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, kale, broccoli, and fortified cereals or juices.
 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are two common types of inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has no known specific cause, though genetic factors seem to be involved. In particular, people who have a gene called HLA-B27 are at a greatly increased risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. However, only some people with the gene develop the condition

Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). … A thorough physical exam, including X-rays, individual medical history, and a family history of AS, as well as blood work (including a test for HLA-B27), are factors in making a diagnosis.

When ankylosing spondylitis is left untreated, chronic inflammation can ultimately cause the vertebrae in your spine to fuse together. You may have a decreased range of motion. … In some cases, the inflammation can spread to organs such as the bowel or lungs

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Can a sedentary job cause ankylosing spondylitis?

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who worked at more physically-demanding jobs showed a greater progression of Ankylosing spondylitis than did patients who performed more sedentary jobs.

The study’s authors concluded that strenuous physical activity in physically demanding, blue-collar jobs may amplify some of the effects of inflammation on disease progression in AS. They further concluded that this data may support the theory that mechanical stress leads to bone formation in AS.

If further studies confirm this connection, rheumatologists may want to rethink the common recommendation for AS patients to do strenuous exercise, the authors noted.

=================================================================================================

Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as naproxen (Naprosyn) and indomethacin (Indocin) are the medications most commonly used. They can relieve your inflammation, pain and stiffness.

However, these medications might cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

COSENTYX® (secukinumab) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults:

  •  
  • with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
  • with active psoriatic arthritis
  • with active ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

=============================================================================================

Social Security Disability: If you have a severe case of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) that keeps you from working… you may be eligible to receive monthly disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

====================================================================================================

Treatment(s):

Massage – your muscles and other soft tissues are manipulated to relieve pain and improve movement.

Chiropractic ( FORCE) – the bones of the spine should never be manipulated as this can cause injury.

Best Exercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Press Up to Stretch Your Spine. …
  • Wall Sit for Better Posture. …
  • Plank for a Stronger Core. …
  • Try Standing Leg Raises to Loosen Tight Hips. …
  • Do Chin Tucks to Stretch Your Neck. …
  • Roll Your Shoulders to Loosen Up. …
  • Stretch Your Hips to Ease Low Back Pain. …
  • Corner Stretch to Open Your Chest.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

· Cervical spine surgery in ankylosing spondylitis: is the outcome good?

·         OBJECTIVE:

  • To assess retrospectively, the outcome of cervical spine surgery in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

·         METHODS:

  • A cross-sectional study of 3464 patients with identified AS, 19 patients of whom had cervical spine surgery. A self-administered questionnaire (including the use of 10 cm visual analog scales, 0 = none, 10 = worst) assessing the complications of the surgery, patients’ neck symptoms and post-surgery functional ability was sent to the 19 patients. Available case notes and radiographs were reviewed.

·         RESULTS:

  • The mean duration of follow-up was 10 years. One patient had two separate cervical spine operations. The types of surgery performed included cervical fusion (n=7), osteotomy (n=7) and laminectomy (n=6). Six patients had minor complications as a result of surgery. The majority of patients (93%) felt that their surgery had been successful. Most patients (81%) had a reduction in neck pain (mean pain score=3.1, SD 2.8) but increased neck stiffness (mean stiffness score=8.0, SD 2.9). Postoperative radiographs of 7 patients showed complete ankylosis of the cervical spine. Generally, few patients reported difficulty with reading/watching television (6%), sleep (19%), or driving (36%). A third of the patients were still in full-time employment.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

·         CONCLUSIONS:

  • About 1 in 200 patients with AS undergo cervical spine surgery. The surgery is often successful and complications are usually minor. Neck pain is often better after surgery and any remaining neck symptoms do not significantly affect the patient’s sleep or functional activities. In this retrospective study, the long-term outcome of cervical spine surgery in patients with AS appears to be good.

================================================================================================================================================

·         The Cost of Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic disorder that will impact you for the rest of your life. According to a study conducted by the National Centers of Biotechnology Information (NCBI), AS can be an expensive condition for one to suffer from. The study confirmed that the cost of treatment increased with the flare-ups or activity of AS in the patients, with the
  • average AS sufferer paying out as much as $20,000 to $50,000 for treatment during his or her lifetime.
  • Of course, if the condition is so severe that multiple joint replacement procedures are needed, the cost will climb even higher. If you have health insurance, you will have copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, which can run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of pocket for treating AS.
Thanks X for the Info!

Further Reading:


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354808


https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/ankylosing-spondylitis/


https://www.spondylitis.org/Ankylosing-Spondylitis


 

Therapeutic Swedish Massage, Sports Massage Therapy in Santa Barbara, Goleta

 

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.