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Alternative Treatments

The National Institutes of Health defines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine. CAM therapies used alone are often referred to as ‘alternative’. When used in addition to conventional medicine, they may be referred to as ‘complementary’. The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.

Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on nontraditional treatments for arthritis. The reasons for seeking CAM treatments vary – many people want relief for pain and suffering that traditional medications have not provided; they hope to avoid potentially serious side effects associated with such medications; and certain conventional medical and surgical treatments cost more than many of us can afford.

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.

  • Advanced Symptoms
    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.
  • Chiropractic Treatment
    Some people with spondylitis swear by regular chiropractic sessions, but doctors do not recommend this treatment for ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Massage Treatment
    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.