Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, relapsing disease, so it is crucial to clearly establish a treatment frequency and duration plan from the outset. Procedure treatments, such as moxibustion and fire acupuncture, focus on resolving adhesions and restoring function with frequent intervention in the early stages, after which the treatment transitions to acupuncture for maintenance. Herbal medicine prescriptions are generally given in three-month increments, with adjustments made based on trends in inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR). The total duration of treatment varies significantly from person to person depending on symptom severity, duration of the illness, and whether concurrent medication is used. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, the frequency of treatment is determined by the state of the body's "proper energy" (Qi) and the intensity of the "bad energy" (V) that causes the disease. Intensive initial treatment is required when kidney energy deficiency is severe or stiffness caused by cold energy is deep; conversely, it is natural to gradually widen the treatment intervals once Qi and blood circulation are restored to a certain extent. At Dongjedang, we evaluate the patient's response to each treatment to flexibly adjust the next visit schedule, and design realistic schedules that take into account work and lifestyle patterns.