You may have heard of arthritis which refers to the inflammation of joints. Here, we talk about Ankylosing Spondylitis, which begins in the sacroiliac (SI) joint gradually progressing upward along the spine. The sacroiliac joint is a triangular bone at the base of the spine that connects the spine to the pelvis. Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips may be the initial symptoms, which generally appear between 20-30 years of age. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing stiffness and pain, often at the onset of adulthood. It results in a pronounced hunched posture and limits ones mobility.
Homeopathy provides supportive treatment to those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis, which is a lifelong disorder for which there is no definite cure. Supplemented with physiotherapy, homeopathic medicines address the symptoms effectively and slow down the disease. These remedies work on reducing stiffness and inflammation, and easing pain, by modulating the immune response. Effective treatment depends on the stage of the disease at which homeopathic medicines are started and upon the severity of symptoms. Homeopathic treatment serves the best when started in the early stages when the symptoms are mild to moderate. In the advanced stage, homeopathy serves best when used alongside conventional medical care. Used in isolation, homeopathy will not serve long-term benefits in severe cases. So, for best possible outcomes, it is advisable to complement it with conventional treatment and physiotherapy.
Homeopathy boosts the immune Support
Since ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease, the treatment aims to regulate the body’s immune system. According to homeopathy, certain medicines are administered to balance an overactive immune response. This helps ease the symptoms and slows the progress of the disorder.
Homeopathic treatment works without suppressing the immunity
Homeopathic medicines do not suppress the immunity. Therapies that suppress the immune system may provide immediate relief from the symptoms, but they may not address the underlying cause. Instead, homeopathy focuses on long-term management by addressing deeper patterns of the disease rather than simply reducing immune activity.
Individualized symptom-based care
Homeopathy focuses on individualised treatment. Each patient with ankylosing spondylitis is assessed based on their unique symptoms and overall health profile. Individual-specific remedies are administered. Such tailored approach helps enhance the therapeutic benefits.
Natural remedies with no side-effects
Homeopathic medicines are prepared from highly diluted natural elements and are thought to be safe but professional guidance has to be sought. Conventional treatments for ankylosing spondylitis—such as NSAIDs, TNF blockers (tumor necrosis factor) and DMARDs (Disease – modifying antirheumatic drugs) — may have certain side-effects, especially from long-term use. A homeopathic regimen, supervised by a qualified homeopath, may help some patients reduce dependence on conventional medicines. However, in complicated cases, conventional medical treatment shouldn’t be given up, as homeopathy has its own limitations in handling advanced disease.
Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis
The most suitable natural homeopathic treatment for ankylosing spondylitis include Aesculus Hippocastanum, Rhus Toxicodendron, Kalmia Latifolia, Colocynthis, Bryonia Alba, Agaricus Muscarius, Kali Carbonicum, Cimicifuga Racemosa, Calcarea Fluorica and Ledum Palustre.
1. Aesculus Hippocastanum – Top Medicine For Ankylosing Spondylitis
Aesculus hippocastanum is a top medicine for ankylosing spondylitis, especially if there is pain in the sacrum and hips accompanied by pronounced lower-back stiffness. Symptoms worsen while walking, bending forward, and getting up from a seating position — one needs to make repeated attempts to stand. On sucvh occasions, one may feel as though the back is about to break. This medicine is really effective for pain in the lumbar, sacral, and the pelvic area.
When to use Aesculus Hippocastanum?
One should use it when pain in the sacrum and hips is accompanied by too much lower-back stiffness. Walking, stooping, or getting up from a seat often aggravates the pain.
How to use Aesculus Hippocastanum?
One should take the dosage of 30C potency, administered twice to thrice a day.
2. Rhus Toxicondendron – For Morning Stiffness In the Back
Rhus Tox is administered when ankylosing spondylitis causes palpable back stiffness, particularly while waking in the morning. Sitting or lying aggravates the symptoms, while walking brings relief. Pain in the lower back region is intense and improves if firm pressure is applied.
When to use Rhus Tox?
It is a wonderful medicine for managing ankylosing spondylitis related to stiffness in the back which is worse in the morning, while sitting, lying, taking rest and relief is noted from walking.
How to use Rhus Tox?
Both the low and the high potencies of this medicine have turned out to be effective with excellent results. But initially it can be taken in 30 C potency three to four times a day as per the intensity of symptoms.
3. Kalmia Latifolia – For Anylosing Spondylitis with persistent spinal pain
Kalmia Latifolia is a highly beneficial medicine for ankylosing spondylitis. It is indicated when there is a constant pain in the spine. Pain in the lumbar area and a burning/heat sensation is felt in the lumbar spine. A feeling of lameness is felt in the back. Sometimes there is a sensation as if the back would break. There is also intense pain in the neck (cervical spine) along with stiffness. The neck feels tender to touch. Kalmia Latifolia is an effective homeopathic remedy for pain in the neck (cervical spine) that radiates to the shoulders. Early morning worsening of neck pain and stiffness is also present.
When to use Kalmia Latifolia?
This medicine is suggested for cases of ankylosing spondylitis with constant pain in spine along with weakness and a burning sensation in the lower back area.
How to use Kalmia Latifolia?
It is best to take it in 30C power once or twice daily.
4. Colocynthis – For hip pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Colocynthis is a medicine for ankylosing spondylitis with marked hip pain. For using Colocynthis, hip pain may be cramping, drawing or tearing in nature. The pain from the hip may also extend down to the knee, leg or even to the feet in a few cases. Sensitivity to touch in the affected hip is also seen in many cases. Colocynthis is also a useful remedy for hip pain that gets better by lying on the affected side. In some cases, pressure on the affected hip offers comfort. Hip pain that gets better by warmth also indicates the use of homeopathic medicine Colocynthis. The person needing Colocynthis also experiences an aggravation of hip pain by sitting, standing, being in motion, and gets relief from rest.
When to use Colocynthis?
This medicine can be considered in ankylosing spondylitis cases for managing hip pain extending to the leg or feet that gets better by warm application or pressure on the affected hip.
How to use Colocynthis?
It can be taken in 30C potency three or four times a day initially, gradually decreasing the dose once relief sets in.
5. Bryonia Alba – When backache gets worse by walking or motion
Bryonia Alba is another well-indicated medicine for treating ankylosing spondylitis. A backache that is worse from motion or walking is the guiding feature to use Bryonia Alba. In a few cases, stooping and standing also worsen the backache. The relief in back pain is afforded only with absolute complete rest. Stiffness is also present along with a backache. The stiffness is so intense that a person has to sit and walk in a stooped posture. Maintaining an upright posture while sitting/walking is difficult.
When to use Bryonia Alba?
It is best choice of medicine for ankylosing spondylitis to manage backache worse from movement, walking, standing and stooping and better from complete rest.
How to use Bryonia Alba?
Both the lower and the highest potencies of this medicine are credited with excellent results. But in beginning 30C is usually preferred twice or thrice a day.
6. Agaricus Muscarius – When Back is sensitive to touch and there is pain
Agaricus Muscarius is majorly used in ankylosing spondylitis when the spine is sensitive to touch, along with pain. The sensitivity of the spine is severe in the morning. Other symptoms pointing towards the use of Agaricus Muscarius are back pain getting worse from stooping, a burning sensation in the spine, and a feeling of tightness in the back muscles. A lumbosacral backache that is worse during daytime exertion is also treated well with Agaricus Muscarius. A marked stiffness in the back is present along with pain. There is a sensation as if the back would break. Another sensation that may appear is that of a cold or hot needle piercing the back.
When to use Agaricus Muscarius?
It is well-suited medicine for ankylosing spondylitis cases when there is marked sensitivity of spine to touch attended with backache worse from stooping and exertion.
How to use Agaricus Muscarius?
It can be taken in 30C potency one or two times a day.
7. Kali Carb – For Weakness in Lower Back
Kali Carb is a medicine used to treat ankylosing spondylitis where weakness in the lower back accompanies back pain. There is pain in the lower back, hips, and the thighs. The person feels better by lying down. Homeopathic medicine Kali Carb is also helpful when there is difficulty in turning in bed from a backache. Another chief indication to use Kali Carb is a sharp pain in the back extending up and down.
When to use Kali Carb?
It is well indicated for ankylosing spondylitis with lower back pain attended with weakness in the back. Back pain gets better on lying down but is worse when turning in bed.
How to use Kali Carb?
It can be used once or twice daily in 30C potency.
8. Cimicifuga Racemosa – For Neck pain and stiffness
Cimicifuga Racemosa is used to treat neck (cervical back) pain and stiffness in cases of ankylosing spondylitis. A contracted sensation in the neck is present, and the neck is sensitive to touch. Pressure seems to worsen the pain in the neck. Any motion of the head and hands also aggravates the neck pain. Worsening of neck pain from exposure to cold air is also treated well with homeopathic medicine Cimicifuga Racemosa.
When to use Cimicifuga Racemosa?
This medicine can be selected for managing neck pain and stiffness with sensitivity to touch in cases of ankylosing spondylitis.
How to use Cimicifuga Racemosa?
Though this medicine may be used in different potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency that can be taken once or twice a day
9. Calcarea Fluorica – For dissolving Osteophytes (bony growth)
Calcarea Fluor is a well indicated medicine for dissolving osteophytes (bony outgrowths appearing in the spine) in cases of ankylosing spondylitis. Another symptom that suggests the use of Calcarea Fluor is back pain that gets worse from rest and better from motion. Application of warmth may also relieve back pain in a few cases. Restlessness along with back pain is also present.
When to use Calcarea Fluorica?
It is a superb medicine to help dissolve bony outgrowths (osteophytes) in the backbone present along with backache worse from rest and better from movement.
How to use Calcarea Fluorica?
This medicine is commonly recommended in 6X potency that can be taken two to three times in a day.
10. Ledum Palustre — For Ankylosing spondylitis with ascending type of rheumatic symptom
Ledum Palustre, prepared from Marsh Tea plant, is recommended for ankylosing spondylitis with an ascending type of rheumatic symptom. It means it affects the shoulder and right hip joint. There is throbbing pain in the shoulder. Rheumatic symptoms begins in the lower limb and ascends, with pain aggravating by movement. Other symptoms are swelling in the ankle and gout pain in the small joints, the affected side of the limbs and feet.
When to use Ledum Palustre?
Ascending pain in hip and shoulder
How to use Ledum Palustre?
One can be administered 30C power twice a day.
For higher potencies such as 200C,1M, consult a homeopathic physician
Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
In the initial stages of Ankylosing Spondylitis, the commonest symptoms are stiffness and pain in the lower back and hips, often accompanied by fatigue. These symptoms mostly develop slowly and tend to aggravate over several months. Discomfort is severe in the morning—so much so that it may wake the person from sleep — and gets better as the day progresses. Long periods of inactivity can also worsen the symptoms.
As the condition advances, stiffness and pain may extend to the neck (cervical spine) and mid-back. If the vertebrae permanently fuse, the spine can become rigid and lose flexibility, that results into a condition called “bamboo spine.”
Although ankylosing spondylitis mainly targets the spine, it can sometimes also affect other joints such as the knees, shoulders, and ankles. In most patients, the disease begins in the sacroiliac joints, in younger patients, it could manifest in the heels, feet, or knees.
Cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis
The exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis remains obscure, it is widely considered an autoimmune disorder. In autoimmune conditions, the body’s immune system inadvertently attack its own healthy tissues due to misguided response. In autoimmune disorders, immune cells recognise healthy tissue as a foreign, and harmful organism due to mistaken identity and set an immune reaction to destroy it. In ankylosing spondylitis, the immune response is directed against the spinal joints and sacroiliac joints, leading to tissue damage, inflammation, and ultimately fusion of the affected bones.
The Disease mechanism of Ankylosing Spondylitis
The term ankylosing refers to “fusion,” and spondylitis refers to “inflammation or swelling of the vertebrae.” In this condition, inflammation develops in the sacroiliac joints and the spinal joints (where the sacrum meets the pelvis) and joint fusion in the long run. Overtime, T-cells trigger swelling that damages and erodes these joints. In a patient suffering from AS, ligaments and joints that generally allow the spine to move, get inflamed and become hardened. This inflammation takes place where the ligaments or tendons are attached to the bones.
As part of the body’s healing process, new bone forms at the sites of inflammation, replacing the flexible cartilage and connecting the space between adjacent vertebrae. This slow build-up of bone weakens spinal flexibility and may eventually lead to complete vertebral fusion that could lead to significant reduction in the spine movement.
Normally, the spine is supple because of elastic intervertebral disc-cushion-like fibrocartilaginous formations with a tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a soft inner core (nucleus pulposus). In ankylosing spondylitis, the annulus fibrosus may calcify and fuse with nearby vertebrae, further limiting spine movement. Beyond the spine, ankylosing spondylitis may also affect the lungs, intestines, eyes, and the heart.
Factors contributing to Ankylosing Spondylitis
Age:Ankylosing spondylitis normally begins between the age of 20 and 30, though it can appear as early as 18 years.
Gender:Men more than women are more likely to develop the condition, with a ratio of 3:1.
Genetics / Family History:The condition has a strong genetic connection. Those with a family history of ankylosing spondylitis and the HLA-B27 gene are at bigger risk. Family history may elevate the likelihood of developing the condition by about 20 per cent.
It’s important to also note that carrying the HLA-B27 gene alone does not mean one would suffer from ankylosing spondylitis. Many people with the gene never experience symptoms. Diagnosis require a combination of clinical symptoms and x- ray/MRI findings, along with a positive HLA-B27 test when relevant.
Diagnosing Ankylosing Spondylitis
To ascertain ankylosing spondylitis, X-rays or MRI scans are used to detect early signs, especially inflammation in the sacroiliac joints. Additional tests may include ESR (to measure inflammation), HLA-B27 testing and vitamin D.
Complications from Ankylosing Spondylitis
Permanent Sacroiliac joint Fusion:Inflammation for a longer duration can cause new bone formation, leading to fusion of the sacroiliac joints and vertebrae, which makes the spine rigid.
Compression Fractures:Early in the disease, vertebrae may weaken and get thin, increasing the risk of fractures that can place pressure on the spinal cord.
Eye Inflammation (Uveitis):A common complication that causes blurry vision, sudden eye pain and sensitivity to light.
Heart Issues:This is another complication of AS. Inflammation can enlarge the aorta, which may deform the aortic valve and impair its functioning.
Difficulties in breathing:Fusion of the ribs with the breastbone can confine chest expansion, decreasing lung capacity and functions.
Intestinal Inflammation:This may lead to ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Role of Diet and lifestyle modification
Dietary and lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Regular stretching exercises that are light as well as posture improvement helps reduce pain and stiffness. Daily yoga and meditation reduces any flare up. A balanced weight and eating anti-inflammatory diet improves joint health.
Avoid processed food, excess dairy and excessive sugar or gluten products. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption to maintain the overall healthy state of the spine. Apart from diet and lifestyle changes, physiotherapy also helps in improved mobility.
FAQs
1. Is Ankylosing Spondylitis and back pain the same?
No—Ankylosing Spondylitis and back pain are not the same. Backache can be one of the symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis while Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disorder affecting sacroiliac joints and spine.
2 What is Bamboo spine?
Bamboo spine is a radiological finding of chronic Ankylosing Spondylitis, where the vertebrae become fused due to chronic swelling and inflammation and appears like a bamboo stick.
3. Can Ankylosing Spondylitis affect other parts of the body then spine?
Yes, Ankylosing spondylitis for a long duration can affect other organs as well, such as the hips, shoulder, eyes, heart, rib cage, and even the lungs.
4. Is HLA B27 the sure indicator of Ankylosing Spondylitis ?
No, HLA-B27 is a prognostic indicator, not a diagnostic indicator of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
5. Does weather have an affect on Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Yes, sometimes weather affects symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Cold, damp and rainy weather worsens symptoms, such as stiffness and pain.
6. Can homeopathy reverse degenerative changes of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
No, homeopathy does not reverse degenerative changes once fusion has set in. Homeopathic medicines offer symptomatic relief and help controll any further progress of the disease.
7. How does homeopathic treatment work in cases of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Homeopathic medicines act holistically by focusing on the root cause of the disease and helping to decrease both the frequency and intensity of symptoms.
8. Why do patients with the same disease are administered different medicines?
Homoeopathy is based on case-to-case basis, not just on diagnosis.
9. Can I self-medicate as far as homeopathic medicines are concerned?
No, It is not safe to self-medicate. It is advisable to consult a qualified homoeopath before starting any medicine.
Are homeopathic medicines equally effective both in liquid or tablet form?
Yes—homoeopathic remedies are equally effective whether in tablet form or liquid doses.
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