Ankylosing spondylitis storage therapy can alleviate symptoms

Crooked gait and lowered gaze - those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis are particularly worried about the long-term consequences of the rheumatic disease. However, with a lot of exercise and special exercises such as roller bearing therapy, bony stiffening of the spine can be well counteracted - as long as it starts in the early stages of the disease. But this is exactly where the problem often lies: Since the disease initially only becomes noticeable through back pain, it usually takes five to ten years before the disease is recognized.

Affected but missing many years in which they could have influenced the chronic disease course positive. In addition to exercise therapies also cure with Radonbehandlungsserien help because they lessen pain, so it is easier for patients to get moving.

"Nocturnal pain in the lumbar spine, which may radiate into the legs, is the first sign and key symptom of Bechterew's disease at the same time," explains Univ. Doz. Dr. Bertram Hölzl, radon expert and scientific director of the Gasteiner Heilstollen. "Often, vibrations of the spine, for example, by sneezing or coughing painful." Joint complaints, red, sore eyes, photosensitivity or digestive problems are among the signs of disease. Later on, chronic fatigue and a slowly progressive stiffening of the spine make it difficult for those affected.

In this form of rheumatism there is a malfunction of the immune system. The body's own defense cells migrate into the tissue and trigger an inflammatory reaction mainly in the small vertebral joints of the back, which later lead to the ossified deformation of the spine. Anyone who observes some of these signs of illness should go to the rheumatologist on their own initiative. In addition to medication, he can also recommend special exercise therapies and cures in Radonthermalstollen.

Scientific studies confirm the so-called radon heat therapy success rates between 80 and 90 percent in ankylosing spondylitis. "The Radonwärmetherapie relieves pain and functional limitations and reduces the consumption of medicines," Hölzl. "Many patients with ankylosing spondylitis, who regularly undergo radon therapy, can use it more easily to carry out movement-sustaining exercises." Radon heat therapy usually involves patients undergoing a course of treatment in which they drive several times to the interior of the mountain, where the healing climate naturally occurs.

As part of a cure, sufferers also learn accompanying exercise therapies such as storage therapy on wooden rollers, which stretches the spine and chest and has very good results in terms of upright posture. Documented are before-after effects up to a 5 cm improved erection. Anyone who has completed storage therapy six to eight times under supervision can also perform it independently at home. (Pm)