An Ayurvedic Approach to The Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis (Gambhir Vatarakta)

Ankylosing Spondylitis is characterized by chronic inflammatory arthritis predominantly affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine, which can progress to bony fusion of the spine. Chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness are the most common features of the disease. Symptoms are exacerbated by inactivity and relieved by movement. Extra-articular features include fatigue, anemia, anterior uveitis, prostatitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis evolves slowly with fluctuating symptoms and ankylosis i.e. fusion of vertebrae develops in many patients over a period of time. Physical signs include reduced range of lumber spine movement in all directions and pain on sacroiliac stressing. Diagnosis of Ankylosing spondylitis cannot directly correlate with any particular Ayurveda disease. However, based on symptoms of disease, it can be correlated with Gambhir Vatarakta like Sandhi Shoth (Joint inflammation), Stabdhta (joint stiffness), Dhah (warmth), Kathinyata (limited joint movement), Abhyantra sandhi peda (joint tenderness), Toda (throbbing pain) in Kati (Pelvic region), Pristha (Posterior region of trunk from neck upto pelvis), Trik (shoulder girdle). These symptoms are indicative of the presence of excessive Vata and Raktadoshas in the body. Panchkarma procedures(especially Aanuvasana and Niruh basti)along with Ayurvedic internal medication were used for the treatment of Ankylosing spondylitis.