Ankylosing spondylitis. Not a well-known back pain condition you hear about all the time, but it is one that is deserving of gentle, relieving treatment by an experienced chiropractor like your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor at New Hampshire Spine and Sport. Chiropractic care of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is helpful for many such patients, and Cox® Technic is a very gentle treatment approach Southern New Hampshire ankylosing spondylitis patients appreciate.
WHAT IS ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting most usually the spine and sacroiliac joints. Early treatment when AS is active may assist in maintaining some flexibility in the spine and lessen any resulting hyperkyphosis of the cervicothoracic spine and/or rigidity of the thoracolumbar, lumbosacral and sacroiliac spine that may result and prevent doing required activities of daily living. There are mainly two forms: active and inactive. Active is the development phase of AS while inactive is the post-development phase of AS. New Hampshire Spine and Sport manages both types with fellow healthcare colleagues to the benefit of the AS patient.
WHAT HELPS MANAGE ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS?
Cooperation and coordination is helpful for patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Chiropractors, rheumatologists, primary care physicians, physical therapists, etc., are all important in the management of ankylosing spondylitis. The first step is diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis. New Hampshire Spine and Sport knows the signs: back pain with more than 1 of 3 elements (HLA-B27 positivity, current inflammatory back pain, or x-ray/MRI evidence of sacroiliitis). 37% of ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed by a rheumatologist while the other 63% is diagnosed by other practitioners like your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor. (1) Rheumatologists report on the benefits of a new approach to try: nanocurcumin. It is known that T-helper 17 cells are found at higher amounts in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Nanocurcumin is surfacing as a new way to contain the T-helper 17 cells as it is an anti-inflammatory compound described as improving some clinical symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. (2) Mixing chiropractic manipulation and rehabilitation with care of a rheumatologist is beneficial for inactive ankylosing spondylitis patients in a recent study. Cox® flexion distraction was one of the chiropractic approaches to treating ankylosing spondylitis patients that helped. Patients also were instructed to do home stretches and rehab exercises. They gained some relief of the symptoms, reduced pain and better ability to do activities of daily living. (3) New Hampshire Spine and Sport offers gentle, stretching Southern New Hampshire chiropractic care with Cox® Technic spinal manipulation. It feels good to the AS spine that feels stiff and rigid. And a little good goes a long way!
CONTACT New Hampshire Spine and Sport
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Gabriel Monterrubio, a chiropractor practicing in Mexico, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he tells of his care and relieving success for several ankylosing spondylitis patients - including a diver who continues diving even now – using Cox® Technic and exercise in the treatment plan.
Schedule a Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment at New Hampshire Spine and Sport for yourself or a loved one who has ankylosing spondylitis. Uncommon? Yes. Unmanageable? No. New Hampshire Spine and Sport is here to help.