Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. This can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis, which results in a loss of mobility of the spine. The symptoms are pain and stiffness in the low back, upper buttock area, neck, and the remainder of the spine. The onset of pain and stiffness is usually gradual and progressively worsens over months. Occasionally, the onset is rapid and intense.

The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. It is 2-3 times more common in males than in females. In women, joints away from the spine are more frequently affected than in men. Ankylosing spondylitis affects all age groups, including children. The most common age of onset of symptoms is in the second and third decades of life. It is thought to be genetically inherited. Pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning, or after prolonged periods of inactivity. Motion, heat and a warm shower can provide pain relief. Because ankylosing spondylitis often affects patients in adolescence, the onset of low back pain is sometimes incorrectly attributed to athletic injuries in younger patients.*

A common treatment regimen involves medication, physical therapy exercises, good posture practices, and other treatment remedies such as applying heat/cold to help relax muscles and reduce joint and back pain. In severe cases of AS, surgery may also be an option. Medication will help control the pain and provide relief. Exercises can help create better posture and flexibility as well as help lessen the pain.

BAXOLVE™ can effectively treat both acute and chronic pain that arises from ankylosing spondylitis.

Pain Gate Control: TENS programmes one and two will provide you with a comfortable tingling sensation. This masks the pain, providing you with immediate pain relief. This is most appropriate if you are experiencing severe, acute pain.

Endorphin Release: TENS programmes three and four use endorphin release, the bodies’ own natural pain relieving hormones. You will experience a comfortable tapping sensation. Thirty to forty minutes of this type of stimulation is required for endorphins to be released. Endorphins remain circulating in the body after treatment has ceased providing residual pain relief. This makes it most appropriate if you are experiencing dull, aching, chronic back pain.

The BAXOLVE™ Belt: Works by supporting the spinal and abdominal muscles. Lumbar support when applied firmly and comfortably assists lower back pain by helping to restrict painful movements. This improves posture and positional awareness. The belt also provides warmth to the affected area by stimulating local circulation, generating a feeling of well-being.

BAXOLVE™ Optional Accessories With the addition of the optional leads and pads you can use the BAXOLVE TENS unit on other areas where the pain may radiate to such as your neck, upper back, buttocks and legs. Simply place the pads over the site of pain to activate immediate and ongoing pain relief from the programmes mentioned above.

This Combination: Two proven therapies, TENS and lumbar support, will provide you with breakthrough technology to tackle your back pain.