Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): No Steroids, No Recurrence

Remarkable Effects and Unique Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): No Hormone Dependence, No Recurrence

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic autoinflammatory disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, spine, and peripheral joints. Severe cases can lead to spinal ankylosis and joint deformity, with a very high disability rate. The disease commonly occurs in young males aged 20-30. Currently, Western medicine primarily relies on Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and biologics to control the condition. However, long-term use of these drugs may bring cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and hepato-renal toxicity. Moreover, biologics are expensive and carry infection risks. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), through holistic regulation and staged treatment, offers AS patients a new therapeutic option characterized by "no hormone dependence and low recurrence."

Remarkable Effects of TCM on Ankylosing Spondylitis

Clinical research confirms that TCM can improve AS conditions through multiple mechanisms:

Controlling Core Symptoms and Improving Function: Using different acupuncture methods (Qi needling in the acute phase, Bang needling in the remission phase) to treat AS, selecting Ashi points (focus of tendon lesions) for intervention. After 4 weeks of treatment, patients' BASDAI scores, BASFI scores, and TCM symptom grading and quantification standard scores were significantly reduced, with an efficacy rate as high as 96.9%.

Zero Recurrence Rate: Clinical research on Fengshi Bitong Gao (Rheumatism-Pain Plaster) for treating AS of Kidney Deficiency and Du Cold type showed that the recurrence rate in the observation group was significantly lower than in the simple Western medicine control group (P<0.05), with more pronounced improvement in stiffness, mobility restriction symptoms, and VAS scores. In another study involving San Tong Qing Du (Three Dredging and Detoxification) therapy combined with topical application, the observation group had no recurrence cases, demonstrating statistical significance.

Improving Inflammatory Markers: After San Tong Qing Du treatment, patients' serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) were significantly lower than those in the simple Western medicine group (P<0.05). Individualized TCM herbal decoctions combined with TCM fumigation significantly reduced Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and CRP levels in AS patients.

Improving Clinical Efficacy Rate: Systematic reviews indicate that TCM treatment for AS can significantly improve the total efficacy rate [OR=3.07, 95%CI (1.88, 5.02)], alleviating generalized pain and spinal pain. Protocols combining acupuncture with TCM fumigation and oral TCM herbs rank highly in efficacy evaluations.

Unique Advantages of TCM

1.No Hormone Dependence, Aiding Western Medicine Reduction

TCM treatment for AS does not rely on glucocorticoids, thus avoiding the side effects of long-term hormone use. TCM herbal hot compresses have clear anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and can serve as an alternative or supplement to DMARDs. For patients requiring biologics, combining them with TCM can enhance efficacy and reduce the dosage of biologics needed.

2.Multi-Target Holistic Regulation

The pathogenesis of AS involves inflammatory responses and new bone formation. TCM herbs, with their multi-component and multi-target characteristics, can inhibit inflammatory factors like TNF-α and IL-6 while also regulating oxidative stress markers. For example, combining San Tong Qing Du with Sulfasalazine not only improves clinical symptoms but also significantly reduces inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels.

3.Staged Treatment, Precise Intervention

TCM adopts different treatment methods based on the distinct characteristics of the active and remission phases of AS:

Acute Phase: Utilizes Qi needling at tendon lesion points, combined with TCM herbs that clear heat and drain dampness, and promote blood circulation to unblock collaterals, for rapid inflammation control.

Remission Phase: Employs Bang needling, combined with TCM herbs that tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen sinews and bones (e.g., Bai Shao, Niu Xi, Du Zhong, Xu Duan), to delay new bone formation and improve spinal function.

Middle-Late Stage: Medium-frequency therapy for soothing sinews, based on the Meridian Tendon Theory, utilizes distinctive therapies like "San Tong Qing Du Therapy" and "Medium-Frequency Therapy" to release adhesions and improve joint mobility.

4.Individualized Treatment Based on Syndrome Differentiation

Common AS patterns include Kidney Deficiency and Du Cold, Kidney Deficiency with Phlegm Stasis, and Damp-Heat Stasis Obstruction. TCM uses different formulas based on the pattern:

Kidney Deficiency and Du Cold Type: Topical application of Fengshi Bitong Gao to warm the meridians, disperse cold, unblock collaterals, and alleviate pain.

Kidney Deficiency with Phlegm Stasis Type: Combines Qiang Ji Tong Luo (Strengthening Spine and Unblocking Collaterals) San Tong Qing Du with biologics to transform phlegm, resolve stasis, tonify the kidneys, and unblock the Du channel.

Yang Deficiency Cold-Dampness Type: Uses Yang-He Decoction to warm Yang, disperse cold, eliminate dampness, and unblock collaterals.

5.Multi-Modal Comprehensive Treatment, Synergistic Effect

TCM treatment for AS emphasizes combining internal and external therapies, along with topical application and moxibustion:

Internal Herbal Medicine: e.g., Individualized oral TCM decoctions.

External Herbal Medicine: e.g., TCM fumigation and topical application, where herbs are absorbed directly through the skin to reach the affected area.

Topical Application and Moxibustion: e.g., Conventional medium-frequency therapy, improving local circulation and relieving pain.

Comprehensive Protocols: Combining TCM fumigation with topical application, or TCM fumigation with herbal decoctions, ranks optimally for enhancing efficacy.

6.High Safety, Fewer Side Effects

Compared to Western medicines, TCM preparations have a lower incidence of adverse reactions. Clinical observation of Fengshi Bitong Gao showed no statistically significant difference in adverse reaction rates between the observation and control groups, indicating good safety.

Innovative Achievements and Clinical Applications

In recent years, TCM has made multiple breakthrough advancements in treating AS:

Topical Application and Moxibustion Therapy: San Tong Qing Du Shu Jin (Soothing Sinews) based on the Meridian Tendon Theory effectively releases fascial adhesions and improves spinal mobility for patients in the middle-late stages of AS.

TCM Fumigation: Combined with modern physiotherapy, TCM fumigation promotes the transdermal absorption of herbs and improves local blood circulation.

Individualized TCM Herbal Research: TCM San Tong Qing Du has been proven to have clear anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

How Long Does It Take to See A Good Effect?

According to clinical observation, significant improvement with TCM treatment for AS is typically seen within 4 weeks:

Early Manifestations (1-2 weeks): Reduced pain, shortened morning stiffness duration.

Mid-term Improvement (4 weeks): Significant decrease in BASDAI and BASFI scores, gradual normalization of laboratory markers (ESR, CRP).

Long-term Benefits (3+ months): Improved spinal function, gradual reduction of Western medication dosage, decreased recurrence rate.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis can not only effectively control core symptoms such as fever, pain, and morning stiffness but also help patients break free from hormone dependence, reduce the dosage of biologics, and lower recurrence rates, truly achieving the goal of "treating both the root cause and the manifestations." With the standardized development of acupuncture techniques (such as needle knife, warm needling, abdominal acupuncture, etc.) and modern research on TCM formulas, TCM will provide more treatment options for AS patients, helping more individuals avoid joint deformity and the burden of long-term medication use.

Attracting International Patients

With our deep roots in traditional wisdom and our commitment to modern research and technology, we provide a safe, effective, and personalized treatment experience. Our dedicated team of TCM practitioners, combined with advanced diagnostic tools and quality control measures, ensures the highest standards of care.

Patients from around the world have found relief and rejuvenation in our TCM treatments. By choosing our hospital, you gain access to a time-honored approach that has been refined over thousands of years, combined with the latest advancements in medical science.

Join the many international patients who have traveled to China to experience the healing power of TCM. Our specialist hospital for Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases offers a unique opportunity to address Ankylosing Spondylitis holistically, ensuring long-term health and well-being without the burdens of conventional Western treatments.