Ankylosing Spondylitis: Could One of These Complementary Therapies Help?

SPECIAL REPORT Tuesday, February 3, 2015 7 Complementary Therapies for Ankylosing Spondylitis SHARE IT:

Pain in your lower back and buttocks can be one of the first symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. While there’s no cure for AS, you can learn to manage your symptoms. Consider these techniques and tell your doctor about any alternative therapies you choose to try: • Acupuncture. During acupuncture treatments, a trained professional punctures specific points on your skin with hair-thin needles. An analysis published in October 2012 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that acupuncture can have therapeutic effects on lower back pain. • Exercise. A study published in March 2014 in the journal Rheumatology International found that people with AS reported lower pain scores after they completed a water-based exercise program five times a week for four weeks. Work with a physical therapist to tailor exercises to the source of your AS pain. Discover five more complementary therapies for AS. Learn more about treating AS »