Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease characterized mainly by inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and spinal attachment points. It is also known as rheumatoid spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and central rheumatoid arthritis, among others. The disease is characterized by inflammation and ossification of the joints and ligaments of the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine, as well as the sacroiliac joints, with the hip joints often affected and other peripheral joints also exhibiting inflammation. This condition is common in young people between the ages of 16 and 30, with a higher prevalence in males. The onset of the disease is insidious, progresses slowly, and has mild systemic symptoms. After several months or years, joint pain symptoms develop into a persistent state, and inflammatory pain gradually disappears. The spine partially or completely fuses from the bottom up, resulting in a hunched back deformity.
Ankylosing spondylitis falls under the categories of "kidney bi syndrome," "atrophy bi syndrome," "bone bi syndrome," and "governing vessel disease" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The etiology and pathogenesis mainly involve kidney deficiency and an empty governing vessel, susceptibility to external pathogens, and blood stasis obstructing the governing vessel. In simple terms, it is caused by external factors such as cold and dampness, damp-heat, falls and injuries, blood stasis obstructing the meridians, poor circulation of qi and blood, or congenital insufficiency, kidney essence deficiency, and loss of nourishment to the bones and meridians.
If there is severe erosion of the spine, moxibustion can be added to the spine and deformed limbs, as well as to the painful points.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course.
(If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Except for the acute and severe phases where there is severe pain, patients with ankylosing spondylitis should persist in correcting their posture and exercising joint functions.
2. Patients should properly arrange their time for life, study, treatment, and exercise, and face the disease with a good mood, establishing confidence in overcoming the disease.
3. Tea therapy recipe: Paeonia and Licorice Tendon-Softening Drink. 6 grams each of white peony, licorice, papaya, and Chinese yam, ground together, and made into a tea decoction. Take one dose daily.