Ankylosing Spondylitis
What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Over time, chronic spinal inflammation (spondylitis) can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis. Ankylosis leads to loss of mobility of the spine.
Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis shares many features with several other arthritis conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Each of these arthritic conditions can cause disease and inflammation in the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies."
Ankylosing spondylitis is two to three times more common in males than in females. In women, joints away from the spine are more frequently affected than in men. Ankylosing spondylitis affects all age groups, including children. The most common age of onset of symptoms is in the second and third decades of life.
Unique three-needle therapy technique
Dr. Yu has specially merged three Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques, called "Three needle combination", which is extremely effective at treating rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Currently, they are the only Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioners in British Columbia that practice this technique.
Acupuncture benefits for ankylosing spondylitis
Acupuncture is a really effective treatment for people who have rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and will greatly improve overall state of health. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that deficiency of blood and liver, and kidney Qi deficiency are the main reasons for the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Dr. Yu's "Three needle combination" treatment not only helps reduce pain in these conditions but patients will also have increased energy, disappearance of physical fatigue and digestive function improvements as an added benefit.
FAQ
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provide promising therapeutic options for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Research conducted by Chinese medical experts has identified ankylosing spondylitis as a familial and genetically related autoimmune disorder, often referred to as a congenital condition inherited from parents. In TCM, this condition is associated with kidney energy deficiency. It has been observed that improving kidney energy can alleviate the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. Consequently, renowned acupuncture techniques have been developed and refined within Chinese medicine, significantly enhancing the treatability of ankylosing spondylitis.
Acupuncture is renowned for its ability to manage chronic conditions and balance the immune system, thereby reducing immune dysfunction. These benefits make acupuncture a preferred choice for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Dr. Yu has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of this treatment by employing a combination of acupuncture, blade needle, and palm needle techniques, known as the three-needle technique, which he has utilized for many years.
Numerous herbs are effective in treating ankylosing spondylitis, tailored to address various symptoms. For instance, Astragalus membranaceus (黄芪) is beneficial for low energy, Rhizome of Scythian Lamb (狗脊) is used for deformed spine, Eucommia ulmoides (杜仲) alleviates lower back pain, and Earthworm (地龙) helps with tight muscles. However, Chinese doctors rarely use single herbs for complex conditions. Instead, they typically prescribe a combination of 5-15 herbs to create a more balanced and effective treatment tailored to the patient's constitution.