If you have a condition called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), you probably know how difficult it is to get rid of the constant pain that comes with it. So, while looking for relief from this pain, you may have also considered other treatment options like Chiropractic. You must have seen many people using this treatment for back and neck pain. But, is this treatment really suitable for someone with a specific condition like AS? Is it safe? Let’s talk about this in detail.
First of all, what is Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?
Simply put, Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of arthritis. It mainly causes chronic inflammation in the joints of your spine . As the disease progresses, something both wonderful and terrifying happens. The vertebrae, or joints, in your spine start to fuse together, resembling a single long bone. Imagine, your spine, which should be flexible, gradually becomes stiff and sticks together. This causes stiffness, pain, and stiffness in your back and neck.
There is no permanent cure for this yet. However, with proper treatment and management, the disease can be controlled, pain reduced, and life made easier.
Why is chiropractic treatment dangerous for someone with AS?
The basic principle of chiropractic treatment is to "adjust" the spine, which means manipulating it in different ways, pressing it together, and twisting it. This may provide relief for a normal healthy spine. However, your spine with AS is not like that. The joints in your spine are already swollen and starting to fuse together.
Imagine what would happen if you suddenly gave a high-velocity thrust to a fragile, fused spine like this?
| Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Fracture | The weakened and weakened vertebrae of the spine, especially in the neck area, can easily break during such manipulation. |
| Dislocation | There is a high risk of spinal joints becoming sprained or damaged. |
| Spinal Cord Injury | This is the most dangerous thing. If the spinal cord is damaged due to a fracture or a fall, it can cause a serious condition such as paralysis . |
| Osteoporosis risk | Many people with AS also have osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease. This makes the bones even weaker. Chiropractic treatment for someone like that is very dangerous. |
Even world-renowned medical organizations such as the American College of Rheumatology and the Spondylitis Association of America have conducted research and strongly recommend against chiropractic treatment for AS patients, especially those with spinal stenosis. They point out that the potential harm from this treatment far outweighs the benefits it claims to provide.
So, what are some safe things you can do for this pain?
Even though chiropractic is said to be dangerous, you don't have to live with the pain. There are many safe and effective treatments that can be right for you, talk to your doctor.
1. Medications
It is very important to use the medications prescribed by your doctor correctly.
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs): These reduce swelling and pain.
- DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) and biologic therapies: These are specific medications given to treat arthritis. They work by controlling the activity of the disease and reducing damage to the spine.
- Steroids: Your doctor may prescribe these for a short period of time during flare-ups of pain and stiffness.
2. Physical Therapy
This is very important for you who have AS. A physical therapist will examine your condition and teach you specific exercises and techniques.
- Helps maintain flexibility in the spine and joints.
- Helps correct your posture.
- It teaches you how to do daily tasks with less pain and ease.
3. Exercise
The most important thing is to ask your doctor or physical therapist what exercises are right for you and only do them.
- Stretching exercises: Exercises that stretch the spine and muscles reduce stiffness.
- Strengthening exercises: Strengthen muscles and provide good support to joints.
- Balance exercises: People with severe disease may have balance problems. These exercises can help with that.
4. Surgery
This is a last resort. If the condition is severely affecting your life and other treatments are not working, surgery may be recommended. A laminectomy is a common procedure that removes the bone fragments that are pressing on the nerves, reducing pain.
So it has nothing to do with Chiropractic?
This is what could happen. Imagine, someone starts having back and hip pain. They don't know they have AS. So they go to a chiropractic clinic to get treatment for their back pain.
There, a chiropractor may suspect symptoms of AS after listening to your symptoms, examining you, and taking an X-ray. For example, changes in the joints of the spine may be visible on the X-ray.
The most important thing: A chiropractor can suspect this condition and refer you to a doctor. However, once the condition is confirmed, treatment should only be done under the guidance of your doctor or rheumatologist. Not through chiropractic treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a serious arthritis condition that affects the joints of the spine.
- For someone with this condition, chiropractic treatment, which places rapid pressure on the spine, is very dangerous. It can lead to serious consequences such as bone fractures, spinal cord damage, and paralysis.
- There are many safe ways to manage your pain, including prescription medications, physical therapy, and proper exercise .
- Before trying any additional treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Your safety is the most important thing.
- Although a chiropractor may be able to diagnose the condition early, only your doctor should decide on treatment.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න