Sometimes you may feel a lot of pain or discomfort in your back, but it may not be visible to someone looking from the outside. Do you feel sad when someone says, "Nothing's wrong with you, you're fine"? Ankylosing Spondylitis, which we call AS for short, is very much like that. It is a disease that is not visible from the outside, but it affects you for life. So, if we want to stay physically and mentally healthy with this disease, it is very important for us to be aware of the different types of support and advice.
Simply put, what is ankylosing spondylitis (AS)?
Simply put, AS is a type of arthritis. It mainly affects our spine. Over time, the vertebrae in the spine fuse together, reducing the flexibility of the spine. This is what causes symptoms like back pain and stiffness. It is a lifelong condition.
Sometimes there is another condition called non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) . This is when there are symptoms but the damage to the joints is not clearly visible on tests like X-rays. So, it can be even more difficult to explain your condition to others.
Treat your body gently and slowly.
Even though it's been a while since you found out you have AS, you may still look the same on the outside. But your body needs a lot of gentle, careful care now.
There are several treatments that can help with this:
- Physical therapy: It is very important to find someone who is knowledgeable in this field and who provides gentle treatment.
- Gentle massages: Gentle massages can help reduce body stiffness.
- Soaking in hot water: Soaking in a hot tub or soaking in hot water can help relieve pain.
- Acupuncture: Some people also find relief from this treatment method.
But there is something you need to be very careful about. That is treatments like chiropractic care. A person with reduced flexibility and stiffness in their spine is more likely to be injured by sudden, sudden movements in their neck or back. Therefore, before starting any treatment, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Choose the best time for treatment
To get the most out of treatments like physical therapy, you should do it when your pain and inflammation in your joints are at their lowest. It's difficult to get much relief from these treatments when the disease is advanced and the pain is very severe.
There is a special type of physical therapy called orthopedic manual physical therapy. Rather than doing regular exercises, the therapist gently moves areas that may be tight due to AS, such as your ribcage and related thoracic spine. Talk to your doctor about whether this type of treatment is right for you.
Let's also take care of nutrition.
A good diet cannot cure AS. However, it can help you manage your symptoms and feel better . It is important to seek the advice of a qualified nutritionist.
A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a professional with special training and certification. They can help you create a personalized diet plan that is tailored to your needs. They can also help you identify trigger foods that trigger your symptoms. They can teach you methods like elimination diets, which involve cutting out certain foods for a period of time, and keeping a food journal to track how your body responds to what you eat.
Listen to your body: recognize your limits
Living with AS means listening to your body and understanding its limitations.
Imagine, when you're doing an exercise, you think, "Oh, I can do this." But after a while, you realize that you've overdone it. To be precise, "Even though you seem to be doing well, it can suddenly become difficult."
This can be hard for others to understand. They might think, "You just brought the bags inside, or you just walked two kilometers, so how can you say you can't mop the house now?"
So, forgive yourself. You know your body best. Decide what you can and can't do today. It's nothing to be ashamed of.
Don't stop moving!
When it comes to AS and movement, the best saying is "If you don't use it, it's gone."
"Stay as active as you can," doctors advise. "If you don't use your back, if you don't move your neck, you'll gradually lose that mobility."
But there's a very fine balance to be maintained here. That means understanding when to be active and when to rest.
- Do exercises and activities that feel good and healing to you.
- However, if you feel pain while doing something, stop it immediately . If you feel pain later, realize that the activity is not right for you.
Imagine that your family is getting ready to go on a fun trip. You might think, "I can't let this disease ruin my life." That's right. But sometimes, it's wise to avoid strenuous activities that are too taxing on your body. That's not defeat, it's showing your body love and care.
| Ways to get support | The benefit of it |
|---|---|
| Gentle physical therapy (physical therapy, massage) | To reduce pain and stiffness, and to facilitate movement. |
| Qualified nutritional counseling | Identify foods that aggravate symptoms and improve overall well-being. |
| Support Groups | To become mentally stronger by sharing experiences with a group of people who understand you. |
| Listening to the body | Know your limits and prevent the disease from worsening. |
| Staying active (balanced) | To maintain long-term flexibility and strength of joints and back. |
Surround yourself with people who understand you.
When you have an invisible illness like AS, it's important to feel like you're not alone . Talking to people who understand you and have similar experiences is a great source of mental strength.
For all of us to go on this journey, the support of a group of people who understand us, that is, the support of our own 'village', is very valuable.
It can be a bit difficult to find support groups specifically for this in Sri Lanka. But you can ask your doctor or physiotherapist about this. You can also look for groups on social media or the internet where people with similar conditions gather. Sharing experiences through them will be a great source of strength for you.
Take-Home Message
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a lifelong condition, but with proper management, you can live a good life.
- Be gentle with your body. Gentle exercises and movements are important. Avoid harsh treatments for the back and neck.
- Listen to your body. Know your limits. Don't overdo it. Rest is also part of the treatment.
- You are not alone. Connect with people who have had similar experiences to you. It will give you a lot of mental strength.
- Always consult your doctor before making any treatment, exercise, or dietary changes.
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