Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis often reacts sensitively to temperature and humidity. Low temperatures increase viscosity around joints and induce muscle spasms, while sympathetic nervous system activation causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing tissue perfusion. The use of vibrating tools and repetitive flexion postures place repetitive loads on the sacroiliac joints and lumbar spine, acting as mechanical triggers for the reactivation of inflammation. There are many reports of symptom exacerbation among outdoor workers, cold storage workers, and construction laborers. Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic In Korean medicine, cold energy has the property of constricting the pathways through which Qi and blood flow and blocking circulation. This is the mechanism by which joint sensitivity caused by cold and dampness rapidly intensifies when patients with ankylosing spondylitis, who already lack warm energy in the kidneys, are exposed to cold and damp environments. At Dongjedang, we focus on internal treatment for patients with work-related exacerbation patterns, using warm acupuncture and moxibustion to strengthen the Yang energy of the spine and increase the warm energy of the kidneys. Furthermore, we provide specific guidance on pre- and post-work self-care methods (such as heat pack placement and stretching sequences) to link the occupational environment with treatment.