Ankylosing Spondylitis - Basics

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that primarly affects the spine.  It will often involve the sacroiliac (SI) joint and other joints other than the spine may become involved.  In advanced cases it may contribute to the formation of bone in the spine which may fuse the spine together restricting movement.  Functionally an autoimmune disorder, Chinese Medicine diagnosis is critical as it may arise from a range of patterns.  Kidney yin deficiency would be common, but other spleen disorders may also be involved.

Ankylosing Spondylitis - Diagnostic Patterns

The Chinese Medicine treatment of ankylosing spondylitis generally involves arriving at the appropriate TCM diagnosis or pattern. This pattern within the individual is what treatment is based on not the general condition (see treating the cause and not the symptoms).

The following patterns may represent the underlying contributing factors for the development of ankylosing spondylitis:

Ankylosing Spondylitis - Tam Healing and Tongren Therapy Protocols

Tong Ren Therapy is the energy healing/medical qi gong aspect of the Tam Healing System. The areas of focus for ankylosing spondylitis that we would use in Tong Ren techniques form the basis for our acupuncture treatments as well. Generally you would mix these primary points with points specific to the patients underlying TCM pattern and then our tuina (medical massage) would be largely focused on these points as well.

The following Tam healing and tong ren therapy protocols may be used with ankylosing spondylitis:

• Tam Healing and Tong Ren Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis