Vol.

5 Issue I
Madhav Research and Review Jan-June 2023
ISSN: 2455-5851

Homoeopathic Perspective in the Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis

* Dr Amit Kumar1, Dr Hanuman Ram2 and Dr Bhawana Kumari3
1Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Madhav Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Sirohi, Rajasthan
2Dept. of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Madhav Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Sirohi, Rajasthan

3Medical Officer, Madhav Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Abu road, Sirohi, Rajasthan.

*Corresponding Author:
Dr Amit Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Date of Submission: 11-06-2023
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Madhav Homoeopathic Date of Revision: 21-06-2023
Medical College & Hospital, Sirohi, Rajasthan – 307032 Date of Acceptance: 08-07-2023
ABSTRACT:
Ankylosing spondylitis belong to the group of seronegative spondylo-arthropathies is a chronic inflammatory
autoimmune disease principally affecting the axial skeleton causing severe chronic pain and strongly associated with
HLA B27. The present article will provide Homoeopathic perspective in managing the cases of Ankylosing spondylitis
and its associated conditions. In Homoeopathy, the treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis may vary from case to case. It
also depends upon the duration and severity of the disease. Homoeopathy holistic approach is advised so that the
treatment is effective when we consider the totality of symptoms and prescribe the medicine accordingly. The review
concludes with the key learning points about epidemiology, clinical features, prevention and homoeopathic
management of Ankylosing spondylitis.
Key Word: Ankylosing spondylitis, Homoeopathic medicines, Review article.

INTRODUCTION
The main goal Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of
arthritis that affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis
symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck
down to the lower back. The spine's bones (vertebrae)
fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine. These changes
may be mild or severe, and may lead to a stooped-over
posture. Early diagnosis and treatment helps control
pain and stiffness and may reduce or prevent
significant deformity.1 It affects approximately 0.5% of
men and 0.2% of women in the UK. This most
commonly starts in the late teens, twenties or thirties.
There is a strong genetic component, being associated
with HLA-B27. The disease principally affects the
sacroiliac joints, axial skeleton and peripheral joints,
starting with sacroiliitis.1 It affects about 0.1% to 0.5%
of the adult population. Although it can occur at any
age, spondylitis most often strikes men in their teens
and 20s. It is less common and generally milder in
women and more common in some Native American
tribes.2 Most common symptom is back pain in the
morning and at night. Patient may also experience pain
in the large joints, such as the hips and shoulders. Other
symptoms may include: early morning stiffness, Poor
posture or stooped shoulders, Loss of appetite, Low-
grade fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia or low iron
and reduced lung function. Ankylosing spondylitis
involves inflammation; other parts of your body can be
affected as well. People with ankylosing spondylitis
may also experience: Inflammation of the bowels, mild
eye inflammation, heart valve inflammation, and
achilles tendonitis.3
EXTRA-ARTICULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
• Anterior uveitis (25%) and conjunctivitis (20%)
• Prostatitis (80%)-usually asymptomatic
• Cardiovascular disease
o Aortic incompetence
o Mitral incompetence
o Cardiac conduction defects
o Pericarditis
• Amyloidosis
• Atypical upper lobe pulmonary fibrosis.4

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ISSN: 2455-5851
INVESTIGATIONS
The ESR and CRP are usually raised. Serum rheumatoid
factor is negative or present in low titre. 4
MANAGEMENT
In conventional system, there’s no current cure for
ankylosing spondylitis, but treatment like Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Tumour necrosis
factor (TNF) inhibitors, Disease-modifying anti
rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can manage pain and
prevent disability. 3, 4 Proper, timely treatment can help
reduce symptoms. It may also slow or even stop
possible complications, such as bone deformity. If
patient have severe damage or deformity to knee or hip
joints, a joint replacement surgery may be necessary.
Likewise, an osteotomy may be performed on people
with poor posture caused by fused bones. During this
procedure, a surgeon will cut and realign the bones in
the spine.3 Conventional treatment with regular
physiotherapy is important to maintain range of
movement. Around 10% of patients require total hip
replacement. Occasionally a corrective osteotomy of
the kyphosis is needed to allow forward vision. The
stiff spine makes patients susceptible to unstable spinal
fractures.
HOMOEOPATHIC PERSPECTIVE
Rheumatological complaints including Ankylosing
Spondylitis are frequently encountered conditions in
homeopathy practice. On account of progressive
destruction and disability of the joints, and
troublesome side effects and dissatisfaction with the
mainstream therapies, homeopathy remains one of the
most sought-after therapies; however, it remained
under-researched systematically. The treatment for
Ankylosing Spondylitis may vary from case to case. It
also depends upon the duration and severity of the
disease. There are various factors which can trigger
Ankylosing Spondylitis such as genetic, emotional and
physical, environmental factors, so it is important for a
homoeopathic physician to consider all this before we
begin with the treatment. It should be given based on
the law of similar. The remedies in homeopathy
moderate the overactive immune system and thus help
in reducing inflammation in the bones. Homoeopathy
holistic approach is advised so that the treatment is
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Vol.5 Issue I
Jan-June 2023
effective when we consider the totality of symptoms
and prescribe the medicine accordingly.5
The following homoeopathic remedies can be
considered in Ankylosing Spondylitis cases; 6, 7
Phosphoric Acid - Phosphoric acid is one of the top
remedies for spondylitis. Paralytic weakness along
spine. Formication along spine. Boring pain between
scapulae. Pain in back and limbs as if beaten.
Cimcifuga Racemosa - Cimcifuga is another effective
remedy for spondylosis. There is stiffness and
contraction in neck muscles causing the neck stiff. Neck
pain, throws the head back. Spine very sensitive,
especially the upper part. Stiff neck, pain worse
sensitive worse pressure. Pain in the angle of left
scapula.
Guaiacum - Guaiacum is the best homeopathic
medicines for spondylitis when there is severe pain in
the neck along with rigidity .Pain from head to neck.
Aching in nape. Stiff neck and sore shoulders. Stitches
between the scapulae to occipital. One sided stiffness of
back from neck to sacrum.
Lachnanthes - Lachnanthes is the top homeopathic
medicines for spondylitis when the neck pain is due to
rheumatism of neck. The neck is drawn more towards
one side and there is marked stiffness in the neck.
Chilliness between the shoulder blades. Sensation
between the shoulder blades as if wet with cold
perspiration.
Rhus Tox- Rhus tox is another effective remedy for
spondylitis. Spondylosis, when there is marked
stiffness and pain in the neck on waking up in the
morning. This medicine is more for cases where the
pain in the neck aggravates after periods of rest.
Cocculus Indicus - Weak neck cannot hold up head.
Pain in shoulder and arms as if bruised. Stiffness on
moving shoulders. Cracking of cervical vertebrae.
Causticum- Dull pain in nape of neck. Stiffness of neck
or back on rising from a chair could scarcely move the
head. Spondylitis with uncontrollable frequent
urination.
Dulcamara - Pain in small of the back as after long
stooping. Stiffness and lameness across the neck and
shoulders after getting cold or wet.
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ISSN: 2455-5851
Theridion -Degeneration of the spinal cord causes
vertigo. Worse closing the eyes.
Gelsemium -Neck feels bruised, unable to hold the
head. Pain in neck, especially upper
sternocleidomastoid muscles. Heaviness of head. Lack
of muscle coordination and difficulty in walking.
Kali Iodide - Kali iodide is also a good remedy for
spondylitis with numbness, worse at night.
CONCLUSION
Homeopathy is a cheap, mild form of treatment with
almost no known adverse effects, which has been found
useful in a number of autoimmune disorders. At the
end would want to conclude saying Ankylosing
REFERENCE
1. Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) [Internet].
WebMD. 2019 (Last accessed on July 21, 2023).
Available from: https://www.webmd.com/back-
pain/guide/ankylosing-spondylitis
2. Williams N, O'Connell P, McCaskie A. Bailey and
Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th Edition. 26th
ed. Milton: Chapman and Hall/CRC; 2018.
3. Ankylosing Spondylitis: Causes, Symptoms, and
Treatments [Internet]. Healthline. 2019 (Last
accessed on July 21, 2023). Available from:
https://www.healthline.com/health/ankylosing-
spondylitis
4. Davidson S, Bouchier I, Edwards C. Davidson's
principles and practice of medicine. 21st ed. E.L.B.S.
and Churchill Livingstone, London; 1991.
www.madhavuniversity.edu.in
Vol.5 Issue I
Jan-June 2023
Spondylitis is a autoimmune disorder, and in
homoeopathy holistic approach is advised so that the
treatment is effective when we consider the totality of
symptoms and prescribe the medicine accordingly.
Financial Support and Sponsorship: Nil.
Conflicts of Interest: No conflict of interest.
Authors Contributions
Dr Amit Kumar (Concept, study design, Literature
review and revising manuscript)
Dr Hanuman Ram (Literature review and revising
manuscript)
Dr Bhawana Kumari (Literature review and revising
manuscript)
5. Hahnemann S, Boericke W, Dudgeon RE. Organon of
Medicine.5th & 6th ed combined. New Delhi: B Jain
Publishers Pvt. Ltd; 2018.
6. Boericke W. Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
Available from:
http://homeoint.org/books/boericmm/index.htm.
Last accessed on July 21, 2023.
7. Kent JT. Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
Available from:
http://www.homeoint.org/books3/kentmm/. Last
accessed on July 21, 2023.
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