Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is incredibly challenging. Rare enough that many primary care and alternative medicine practitioners are not readily familiar with the diagnosis, patients become accustomed to explaining their disease to providers, and often leave feeling misunderstood. It takes time and digging into the details to both understand and create an effective plan to navigate Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms. Diagnosed at age 19, it was AS which first inspired me to pursue higher education in holistic medicine. While I care deeply about all of my patient's challenges and conditions, it means a lot to me to share about AS in particular, a disease that inhibits life in such a painful way.
Below, you'll find some tools to try and maybe a few new ideas. For a more complete list of supplements and herbal therapeutics including turmeric, St. John's Wort, Lemon Balm, Magnesium Glycinate, CBD, and supportive elements, please see my article, 5 Ways Ayurveda Helped Me Regain My Life From Ankylosing Spondylitis.
I hope this article helps you find some answers, or at lease a little bit of hope.
1. Herbs & Supplements:
Devil's Claw & White Willow Bark: Devil's Claw and White Willow Bark have been traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Devil's Claw is known for its ability to relieve pain and inflammation specifically in the joints. It is a natural alternative to over-the-counter painkillers and is available at a reasonable price—around $20 for a 2oz tincture. Often referred to as nature’s aspirin, White Willow Bark contains salicin, a compound similar to acetylsalicylic acid, which is found in common pain relievers. Together, they may help manage discomfort associated with AS. They are more effective in tincture form than capsules.
S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e): Used widely in Europe as a pharmaceutical for rheumatic conditions, SAMe is a naturally occurring compound in the body. It supports joint health, liver function, and mood stabilization. For high-quality SAMe, Pure Encapsulations is a trusted brand. Though more expensive, its benefits for joint health and overall well-being are well-documented.
Soyavocadounsaponafiables: This supplement has been used in Europe to slow the progression of degenerative joint damage. Studies suggest its efficacy in managing joint health, and it’s relatively affordable. For more information, you can refer to this study.
Boswellia: Also known as Frankincense, Boswellia is highly effective in reducing inflammation. It may take about a month of consistent use to notice significant changes, but many find it beneficial for long-term inflammation management.
Milk Thistle: For those who have taken significant amounts of over the counter or prescription medications, occasionally detoxifying the liver with a short course of Milk Thistle is very helpful. Milk Thistle may be recommended for patients on long-term NSAIDs, biologics, or other medications commonly prescribed for AS.
Ayurvedic & Chinese Herbs: While it may be tempting to list Ayurvedic herbs that can assist in AS, it's important to note that with the wide variety of patterns of disharmony (presentations) and constitutional types, that each herbal prescription will be different. For that reason, I recommend speaking to an Ayurvedic or Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner, rather than taking herbs from a list. Some commonly recommended options are Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang and Du Huo Ji Shen Tang, but these are simply a place to start.
3. Acupuncture and Craniosacral Therapy to Reduce Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Incorporating holistic therapies can complement your supplement regimen and provide additional relief:
Craniosacral Therapy: This gentle, non-invasive therapy helps to calm the nervous system and reduce stress which allows the body to perform repair functions only possible in a state of rest and digest, improve sleep and reduce pain. It’s especially useful in cases in which heavy pressure is out of the question due to extreme pain.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture has gained notoriety as an effective adjunct therapy for AS. It is even cited by The Cleveland Clinic as a potential source of pain relief.
4. Ayurvedic Treatments
Ayurveda offers comprehensive approaches to managing AS. I recommend exploring the Pancha Karma detox treatment, which I underwent at The Ayurvedic Institute. While it can be expensive to receive treatment at a clinic, doing the detox at home is an option if you’re willing to invest time and effort. It’s a cost-effective alternative when clinic fees are prohibitive.
In my experience guiding home pancha karma, I have worked with several Ankylosing Spondylitis patients and who were successful in their disease management, experiencing less pain and stiffness, ability to identify flare-up triggers, increased mobility, and improved quality of life. One in particular, who was extremely proactive, had blood work done before and after our work together. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate (also known as ESR, a common inflammation marker) improved by 90 points. While each patient presents and reacts differently both objectively and subjectively (for example, I was in extreme pain, but my own ESR was only slightly elevated during the height of my disease process), with attention to detail, it may be possible to reduce the intense suffering of those with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
5. Food Guidelines
An Ayurvedic diet that is nourishing, easy to digest, and soothing, helps your body to draw out nutrients as well as reduce inflammation.
Avoid inflammatory foods, including nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers), peanuts, processed foods, and low quality dairy. Whole organic cow’s and goat’s milk products are fine for many.
Avoid immune-stimulating foods and herbs including garlic.
Favor easy to digest soups, broths, and simple rice and vegetable dishes.
Favor cooked foods over raw.
Eat at regular meal times, with lunch as your heaviest meal. A light dinner before 7pm is best for quality sleep.
Eat one type of protein per meal, and have fruits as snacks rather than part of the meal. The exception here is cooked fruit like apples, pears, cherries, and berries, which you may add to foods like oatmeal.
6. Balancing Expectations and Lifestyle
Living with AS requires patience and understanding of your body's limits. It’s crucial to approach life with a sense of gentleness and realism. You may face challenges in maintaining social commitments or explaining your condition to others, but it’s important to listen to your body and prioritize self-care.
Managing Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms is a process of integration and adaptation. There may not be a single magic bullet, but combining natural remedies, holistic therapies, and modern medicine can lead to a fulfilling life. Over time, you may find that the accumulation of small, positive changes leads to significant improvements.