- 3 Blackberry Court, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes, MK7 7PB
|
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a painful and progressive condition which mainly affects the spine but can also affect other joints, tendons and ligaments. The body’s immune system is wrongly triggered to attack itself, leading to pain, stiffness, damage to joints and, if left untreated, possibly disability. Age of onset for AS is less than 30 years in 80% of patients. Men are affected approximately twice as often as women. Some people with AS have virtually no symptoms, whereas others suffer more severely.
The effects of AS are usually felt as stiffness/pain in the low back, buttocks and hips, usually in the morning or after a period of inactivity. There can also be pain in the heels and soles of feet, the jaw (TMJ) or swelling and redness around the eyes.
Back pain in those age 30 or under which is of gradual and non traumatic onset. The pain will improve with exercise and not improve with rest. There may be pain at night relieved by getting up out of bed.
The clinical diagnosis of AS involves a thorough physical examination by a specialist Doctor, Chiropractor, Osteopath or Physiotherapist to assess flexibility and joint tenderness. Blood tests to measure the body’s levels of inflammation and a genetic test to identify the presence of the HLA-B27 gene are necessary for accurate diagnosis if AS is suspected.
X-rays and/or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] are used to highlight any inflammation or damage to the joints.
You can see any of Blackberry Clinic specialist doctors or practitioners for most conditions but check out their profiles for more information and specific interests. If AS is suspected you will be referred to a rheumatologist for more tests.
All our practitioners are experienced in their fields and trained to treat most conditions with different methods. They work together to find the best treatment most suited to your condition. Check out our services pages to find out more about these therapies.
Management of this condition is adapted to each individual. Blackberry Clinic practitioners offer manual therapy, exercise programmes and acupuncture to relieve pain. Blackberry Clinic Musculoskeletal Medicine Doctors and Pain Management Consultants can assist in diagnosis and pain relieving injections, but may refer patients to a rheumatologist for confirmatory blood tests and medication.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Lorena has changed my life. Four months ago, having been diagnosed as having “severe, acute and chronic” disc degeneration I genuinely thought I was facing a life of disability (I am 49).
Lorena has re-taught me how to move my body and how to think about what muscles I engage to a point that I am now running, swimming and doing pilates again and have almost full flexibility in my spine. It almost feels like Lorena can see through your skin to your muscles, so profound is her understanding of how the body moves.
Just wanted to say please pass my thanks to my osteopath, I came yesterday with terrible back and shoulder pain and today I am pain free, am well delighted as had a day planned with friends was worried I wouldn’t enjoy, please pass my thanks onto her.
Following treatment at Blackberry Clinic, Milton Keynes my back pain improved and I could play for my country again
After a course of Prolotherapy my back pain has gone and I live a normal life. I can’t thank Dr Petrides enough for giving me back my quality of life
To find out more and find your local Bupa Clinic for a Bupa Health Assessment click here
