Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published August 25, 2023, Last updated August 25, 2023

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rare form of arthritis which causes inflammation in the ligaments and joints of the spine. This may limit the back’s flexibility and mobility. The following homeopathic medicines for ankylosing spondylitis are very effective –

1. Aesculus Hipp
2. Rhus Tox
3. Bryonia
4. Guiacum
5. Calcarea Flour

Before we come to the indications pointing to the use of these best homeopathic medicines for ankylosing spondylitis, let us understand the problem a little better.

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS is a chronic inflammatory disease. Another name of ankylosing spondylitis is axial spondyloarthritis. Ankylosing means ‘fused bones’ as it can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse together. It mainly affects the spine, though it may also affect the knees, ankles and hips. The body forms extra bone in the spine in an effort to heal the inflammation. This new bone formation slowly and slowly leads to fusion of the vertebra and flattening of the natural curve of the spine. Flexibility of the spine reduces and the patient is unable to move comfortably. It can make your back, neck and rib-cage stiff and painful.

What causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Though medical science does not know the exact cause of AS, it tends to think of it as an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s own immune system starts attacking the body instead of defending it. Such a scenario makes it quite difficult for the body to heal itself.
Also, most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have HLA B 27 gene. But this does not mean that everyone who has this will end up having the full expression of the disease. In so many cases, there are no symptoms despite the presence of HLA B 27.

What are the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The most common and early symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis are –

• There is low back pain and stiffness. This low back pain may also extend to hips. Morning and periods of rest tend to worsen the pain and stiffness.
• Neck pain is also common.
• One tends to feel fatigue. These symptoms get better after around half an hour or with some activity.
• As time progresses, the disease curtails the flexibility of the spine.
• The pelvic area and the lower back bear the maximum brunt of this inflammatory effect of AS.
• There may be pain or tightness in the chest region. Ribcage may feel tender.
• Shortness of breath on slightest exertion is also common.
• In some cases, this inflammation can spread to bowels causing colitis.
• Pain or redness in the eye is also present in some cases as the same inflammatory process affects the eyes too.

Homeopathic Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. These medicines can allow you to lead a perfectly symptom free life. In most cases, the person becomes absolutely normal and almost forgets that he had ankylosing spondylitis at any point in his life. Homeopathy relieves all the symptoms of pain, stiffness and fatigue thereby allowing the patient to lead a normal symptom free, disease free and medicine free life.

5 Best Homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis

I have found the following 5 homeopathic medicines for ankylosing spondylitis very effective in my more than 2 decades of experience. These medicines offer a great opportunity to the patient as well as the treating doctor in relieving the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis-

1. Aesculus Hipp – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis with low back pain

2. Rhus Tox – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis with pain better on motion

3. Bryonia – One of the best homeopathic medicines for AS with stitching pain in the back

4. Guiacum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis with stiffness of neck

5. Calcarea Flour – One of the best homeopathic remedies for AS with burning in lower back

I am giving a brief description of the symptoms of these medicines. These symptoms are just indicative and serve as pointers towards the use of the right medicine. An exhaustive list of all symptoms of these medicines is beyond the scope of this article.

1. Aesculus Hipp – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis with low back pain

When the patient feels the pain most at the sacral joint and whereabouts, Aesculus Hipp is one of the best medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis. The back aches and gives out, making the patient unfit for any activity. Back pain affects sacrum and hips, worse by walking or stooping. Spine feels weak. All symptoms are worse on walking or movement of any sort.

2. Rhus Tox – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis with pain better on motion

When the pain is worse while sitting or lying down and gets better by motion, Rhus Tox is one of the best homeopathic medicines for ankylosing spondylitis. Surprisingly, the patient feels better by lying on a hard surface and is worse while sitting. All pains are worse in rainy, damp and cold weather. Hot dry weather helps the patient feel better.

3. Bryonia – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis with stitching pain in the back

When the pains in the back are stitching in nature, Bryonia is one of the best homeopathic medicines for AS. These stitching pains are worse by any motion and better by rest. The patient is very thirsty and keeps drinking lots of water every now and then. Hot weather is the enemy of such a patient. The pains are better while lying on the painful part.

4. Guiacum – One of the best homeopathic medicines for Ankylosing Spondylitis with stiffness of neck

When there is intense stiffness in the neck, Guiacum is one of the best remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis. There is pain from head to neck and is aching in character. Contracting pain is present in and around the scapular region. The pains are worse from heat, wet weather, touch and from 6 pm to 4 am. Pressure tends to relieve the pains.

5. Calcarea Flour – One of the best homeopathic remedies for Ankylosing Spondylitis with burning in lower back

When there is burning in lower back, Calcarea Flour is one of the best homeopathic remedies for AS. There are chronic lumbar pains which are worse on beginning to move. This is an excellent medicine to dissolve any extra calcaneal growths and it works well in dissolving the bony fusions in the spine also.