Comment guérir naturellement de la spondylarthrite ankylosante

Dans cet article, je discute de :

• Qu’est-ce que la spondylarthrite ankylosante ?
• Quelles sont les causes de la spondylarthrite ankylosante ?
• Traitements typiques de la spondylarthrite ankylosante
• La spondylarthrite ankylosante est-elle auto-immune ou auto-inflammatoire ?
• Norman Cousins se rétablit de la SA grâce à la réduction du stress et à la supplémentation en vitamine C

Et comment les méthodes naturelles de guérison suivantes peuvent inverser la spondylarthrite ankylosante :

• Mouvement
• Changement de régime alimentaire
• Jeûne thérapeutique
• Arrêter de fumer
• Thérapie par lumière rouge et lumière infrarouge
• Cryothérapie du corps entier
• Mise à la terre

Qu’est-ce que la spondylarthrite ankylosante ?

La spondylarthrite ankylosante (SA), également appelée spondylarthrite axiale radiographique, est un type d'arthrite inflammatoire qui touche principalement les articulations de la colonne vertébrale. La spondylarthrite ankylosante présente des caractéristiques à la fois auto-immunes et auto-inflammatoires, qui sont décrites ci-dessous.

Les premiers symptômes de la SA que les personnes ressentent sont des douleurs et des raideurs dans le bas du dos et les hanches, surtout le matin et après une activité sédentaire. Lorsque le système immunitaire attaque les articulations de la colonne vertébrale et les articulations sacro-iliaques, le corps tente de se guérir en formant du nouveau tissu osseux. Le nouvel os peut se développer pour combler l'espace entre les vertèbres, provoquant la fusion de la colonne vertébrale. Cela rend la colonne vertébrale rigide et inflexible, et conduit généralement à une posture arrondie ou voûtée.

La spondylarthrite ankylosante peut également toucher d’autres articulations du corps, comme les épaules, les hanches et les genoux. Lorsque les côtes sont touchées, il devient difficile de respirer pleinement et profondément.

Comme d’autres maladies auto-immunes, les symptômes de l’AS peuvent s’aggraver ou s’améliorer de manière imprévisible pendant des périodes de temps.

Les symptômes de la spondylarthrite ankylosante comprennent :

• Douleurs et raideurs dans le bas du dos, surtout après des périodes d'inactivité
• Douleurs aux hanches et aux fesses
• la douleur du cou
• Fatigue
• Symptômes gastro-intestinaux (GI), notamment diarrhée et douleurs abdominales
• Essoufflement
• Éruptions cutanées
• Problèmes de vue
• Perte d'appétit ou perte de poids inexpliquée

Les complications associées à la spondylarthrite ankylosante comprennent :

• Vertèbres fusionnées
• Fractures de la colonne vertébrale
• Cyphose (courbure arrondie vers l'avant de la colonne vertébrale)
• Ostéoporose
• Problèmes oculaires et de vision, notamment uvéite (inflammation de l'œil) ou sensibilité à la lumière
• Maladie cardiaque, notamment aortite, arythmie et cardiomyopathie
• Compression des nerfs spinaux et symptômes qui en résultent
• Lésions des nerfs périphériques et symptômes qui en résultent

Qui est à risque de développer une spondylarthrite ankylosante ?

N’importe qui peut développer une spondylarthrite ankylosante, mais elle est plus fréquente chez certains groupes de personnes, notamment :

• Personnes assignées de sexe masculin à la naissance : Les hommes sont deux à trois fois plus souvent touchés que les femmes.
• People under the age of 30: About 80% of patients develop the first symptoms before the age of 30, and less than 5% of patients develop their first symptoms over the age of 45.
• People who have a parent or sibling with AS: This makes you 10 to 20 times more likely to develop AS than the general population.
• Les personnes atteintes de psoriasis, du syndrome du côlon irritable, de la maladie de Crohn ou de colite ulcéreuse ont un risque accru de développer une SA.
• People with the HLA-B27 gene variant: Between 90% to 95% of AS patients test positive for the HLA-B27 allele, compared to approximately 10% of the general population.

Quelles sont les causes de la spondylarthrite ankylosante ?

As mentioned in the previous section, testing positive for the HLA-B27 gene variant increases the odds that a person will develop AS, but does not guarantee it. Among sets of identical twins in which one twin has AS, the other twin develops AS only 50% of the time. This means that environmental and lifestyle factors play a strong role in developing the condition as well. There are multiple theories regarding exactly why the HLA-B27 allele contributes to AS and other inflammatory conditions, but none have yet been proven.

There is a strong link between Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and ankylosing spondylitis. Klebsiella is often present in the gut flora of healthy individuals and is normally kept at bay by the immune system. But if your immune system is compromised and the bacteria population grows and gets into other parts of your body, you can develop a Klebsiella infection.

Microbiological studies show higher than normal levels of Klebsiella in the fecal matter of AS patients, and antibodies against Klebsiella are present in AS patients as well. Scientists believe that Klebsiella infection can lead to AS, especially in HLA-B27-positive individuals.

The HLA-B27 gene variant and Klebsiella infection are the two most commonly linked factors in developing ankylosing spondylitis, but it is possible to develop the disease without either of these factors being present.

Comment traite-t-on la spondylarthrite ankylosante ?

Drugs that reduce inflammation are typically prescribed for managing symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen.

Corticosteroids like cortisone or methylprednisolone may also be prescribed. These drugs suppress the immune system by imitating our natural stress response. They can be taken orally or through injections into joints, and are best used on a short-term basis.

Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can relieve symptoms and potentially slow down disease progression for some people with AS. These newer types of DMARDs can reduce the specific type of inflammation that targets and destroys joint tissue. Some biologic DMARDs target tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, a protein that causes inflammation). Others target cytokines, which are signaling molecules secreted from immune cells that increase inflammation.

When Klebsiella infection or another infection is detected, antibiotics may be prescribed. Research shows that antibiotic treatment can result in significant improvement in disease activity for some people with ankylosing spondylitis. But long-term or excessive use of antibiotics can weaken the immune system and cause imbalances in the gut microbiota, so antibiotics should be used intentionally.

The natural treatments discussed in the rest of this article can be effective for reversing ankylosing spondylitis because they reduce damaging inflammation and strengthen the immune system, allowing the body to heal itself. The human body is expertly designed to heal itself, and it can accomplish true healing and reversal of disease in ways that no manufactured drug can. In all cases of chronic disease, it is up to us to give our body the tools it needs to fight the disease and heal itself.

La spondylarthrite ankylosante est-elle auto-immune ou auto-inflammatoire ?

Our immune system has two different functional parts: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. We’re born with our innate immune system, and it’s our first line of defense. It defends us against a wide variety of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and toxins like pesticides). The innate immune system first does its best to keep these pathogens out of our body, then it attacks and kills the pathogens that make it into our body. This response is inflammation, which involves blood carrying immune cells to the site of the attack.

After several days to weeks of the innate immune system response, the adaptive immune system takes over. Our adaptive immune system learns and adapts, creating specialized antibodies to fight each new pathogen. These antibodies remember each pathogen, so they can attack them more quickly the next time that same pathogen enters our body.

Les maladies auto-immunes sont reconnues depuis les années 1900, lorsque les chercheurs en médecine ont pu prouver que le système immunitaire était capable de s'attaquer à lui-même. Dans les maladies auto-immunes, le système immunitaire produit des auto-anticorps qui attaquent les cellules saines de l'organisme. Il s'agit d'un dysfonctionnement du système immunitaire adaptatif.

However, there are some health conditions that have many of the same symptoms as autoimmune diseases but do not show evidence of autoantibodies. This means that the adaptive immune system is not causing the attack. Instead, it seems that the innate immune system is malfunctioning and causing inflammation that results in symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever, rashes, chills, and more. These conditions are described as “autoinflammatory,” which is still a new and not well-recognized classification. It’s likely that some conditions involve a combination of autoinflammatory and autoimmune responses.

Ankylosing spondylitis seems to be one of these conditions, as research shows malfunction of both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Research has found evidence of abnormal activity of innate immune system cells in parts of the body affected by the disease. And the intestine, which plays an important role in innate immune system defense, is involved in AS. But research has also found evidence of autoantibodies in AS, as well as activation and expansion of adaptive immune cell populations.

La guérison de Norman Cousins de la spondylarthrite ankylosante grâce à la réduction du stress et à la supplémentation en vitamine C

Norman Cousins, journaliste politique, auteur, professeur et défenseur de la paix mondiale bien connu, a été diagnostiqué d'une spondylarthrite ankylosante en 1964 à l'âge de 49 ans. On lui a donné une chance sur 500 de guérir. Cousins pensait qu'il était tombé malade à cause du stress et de l'épuisement des glandes surrénales, qui avaient mis son système immunitaire dans un état où il ne pouvait pas combattre les agents pathogènes. Il pensait que les médicaments qui lui étaient prescrits en excès pour gérer sa maladie étaient toxiques. Il avait également lu des recherches sur la vitamine C dans des revues médicales et connaissait son potentiel à réduire l'inflammation et à aider le corps à maintenir le collagène.

Heureusement, le médecin de Cousins était ouvert à ses idées sur la façon d'utiliser la réduction du stress, la pensée positive et la supplémentation en vitamine C pour renforcer son système immunitaire et aider son corps à se guérir. Cousins a élaboré un plan de traitement pour lui-même, composé de rires (provoqués par le visionnage d'émissions de télévision et de films amusants et la lecture de livres humoristiques) et d'acide ascorbique intraveineux à forte dose (une forme de vitamine C), administré lentement sur trois à quatre heures.

Cousins a découvert que dix minutes de « rires sincères » lui procuraient au moins deux heures de sommeil sans douleur. Il a également découvert que le rire et l’acide ascorbique réduisaient le taux de sédimentation de son sang. Le taux de sédimentation est un test sanguin qui mesure la vitesse à laquelle les globules rouges se déposent au fond d’un tube à essai en une heure. L’inflammation provoque l’agglutination des globules rouges, ce qui les rend plus lourds et les fait tomber plus rapidement au fond du tube à essai. Un taux de sédimentation plus élevé (une sédimentation plus rapide) indique un niveau d’inflammation plus élevé dans le corps. Après chaque épisode de rires sincères, les analyses sanguines de Cousins ont montré une baisse d’au moins 5 points du taux de sédimentation. Après la première dose d’acide ascorbique IV, son taux de sédimentation a chuté de 9 points. Le taux a régulièrement baissé à mesure qu’il poursuivait son régime de rires et de suppléments d’acide ascorbique.

While it has been suggested that laughter and Vitamin C may have served as placebos in Cousins’ recovery, research supports both of these methods as being effective for strengthening the immune system. Laughter has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol and epinephrine, which indicates a reversal of the stress response. Laughter also reduces pain and improves natural killer cell activity.

Likewise, research shows that adequate intake of Vitamin C is necessary for immune system function. It is a powerful antioxidant, and supports many functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. It protects against pathogens and environmental oxidative stress, and Vitamin C deficiency results in a weakened immune system and higher susceptibility to disease.

The human body cannot produce Vitamin C, so we must continually take it in. Multiple studies, such as these published in 2011 and 2021, have found that Vitamin C levels are lower in AS patients than in controls. This may be because the patients are not taking in enough Vitamin C for their immune system to function properly, and/or because their bodies are using up a great deal of Vitamin C in order to try to maintain their collagen.

As Cousins continued his treatment plan, his health continued to improve, and he miraculously regained function and returned to work. You can read his story in his insightful book Anatomy of an Illness, which is an inspirational read for anyone with a chronic illness.

Mouvement

Movement is very important for ankylosing spondylitis patients. AS patients report that their discomfort tends to be worse after they have been sedentary, and that pain and function improves as they move more. Regular movement helps AS patients maintain strength, range of motion, and flexibility. In his book Beating Ankylosing Spondylitis Naturally, Dr. Scott Johnson (who suffered from AS himself) recommends swimming, water aerobics, strength training, yoga, core strength training, and flexibility exercises.

Le Dr Johnson recommande également vivement la pratique quotidienne d'exercices de respiration profonde, qu'il décrit dans son livre. Il écrit que, comme la SA peut provoquer une constriction de la poitrine, il est important de pratiquer une respiration profonde afin d'éviter le raidissement et la fusion des côtes et de maintenir la souplesse de la paroi thoracique.

Research consistently shows the benefits of a regular exercise program for ankylosing spondylitis. A 2018 review analyzed studies to assess the effectiveness of varied exercise programs on disease activity and function. The review included studies on home-based exercise programs, swimming, Pilates training, and supervised exercises. The researchers found that a variety of types of exercise programs are effective for reducing disease activity and improving physical function in AS patients.

A 2022 meta-analysis compared the effects of supervised physiotherapy to “usual care” and home-based exercise programs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The review found that supervised physiotherapy led to significantly greater improvements in disease activity, functional capacity, and pain when compared to usual care. However, there was no significant difference between physiotherapy and home-based exercise.

Water-based exercise programs show promise for ankylosing spondylitis patients. Exercising in water takes pressure off of joints, reducing pain and allowing patients to move through a greater range of motion and practice more challenging exercises than they can on land. The water also gives gentle resistance, allowing patients to build strength. Patients also report that they enjoy the motivation and social aspect of exercising in a group led by an experienced professional.

A 2014 study of 69 AS patients compared the effects of a 4-week aquatic exercise program to 4 weeks of home-based exercise. The water-based exercises produced greater improvements in pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and general mental health than the home-based exercise program.

A 2015 study of 30 AS patients compared a program consisting of aquatic therapy plus relaxation to no treatment. After two months, the patients who engaged in the aquatic therapy and relaxation reported significant improvements in physical function, fatigue, pain at the neck, back and hips, swelling in joints and waking morning stiffness.

Often, treatments that prove to be effective at reducing symptoms are more cost-effective than standard treatments because they result in less treatment over time. A 2002 study of AS patients found that 4 weeks of hydrotherapy sessions led to significant improvements in well-being, pain, and duration of morning stiffness when compared to physiotherapy and drug management. Since the improvements appeared to last for up to 40 weeks, the researchers concluded that including aquatic exercises in AS treatment is more cost-effective than conventional treatment alone.

Somatiques Cliniques Les exercices de flexion des jambes peuvent également être un moyen idéal pour les patients atteints de SA de maintenir leur souplesse et leur mobilité. Les mouvements doux sont pratiqués allongé sur le sol, sur un tapis, un tapis d'exercice ou une couverture. Si un patient n'est pas à l'aise pour pratiquer les exercices au sol, il peut pratiquer des versions assises des mouvements sur une chaise. Les exercices permettent aux patients de relâcher les tensions musculaires chroniques et les douleurs associées, tout en améliorant le contrôle musculaire volontaire et la proprioception (sens interne de la posture). Lorsqu'ils sont pratiqués régulièrement, Somatiques Cliniques Les exercices peuvent permettre aux patients atteints d'AS de s'engager confortablement dans des activités physiques plus intenses.

Changement de régime alimentaire

Gut health is closely tied to the development of ankylosing spondylitis, and research shows that dietary changes can be very effective at managing the disease and reducing symptoms. Gut inflammation is present in up to 60% of patients with spondyloarthritis. But since everyone’s guts and immune systems are unique, there isn’t one specific diet that has been proven to be the best for everyone with ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease, and we all have different foods that trigger inflammation for us. In general, a diet of simply prepared whole foods can be very effective for reducing inflammation. This means eliminating processed foods and added sugars, and focusing on unprocessed foods that are high in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants.

The Mediterranean diet, which is based on whole, fiber-rich foods, is often used in nutritional studies. A 2021 study of 161 axial spondyloarthritis patients tested the effects of the Mediterranean diet on disease symptoms. The study found that the Mediterranean diet had a beneficial effect on disease activity, with greater adherence to the diet leading to more significant reduction in symptoms.

Likewise, the Paleo diet has been found to be associated with lower levels of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The Paleo diet is a whole-food diet that includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. It eliminates all grains and dairy, as well as all processed foods and added sugar, all of which are known to cause inflammation.

A study of 25 patients with spondyloarthropathy examined the effects of eliminating dairy from the diet. Seventy-two percent of participants followed the diet. Fifty-two percent of the participants reported good improvement of symptoms after six weeks, and 62% of these participants were able to discontinue taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

Some research has shown that a reduction in starchy foods, including bread, potatoes, pasta, and baked goods, can reduce inflammation and disease symptoms in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. This is because starch feeds gut microbes, including a group of gut microbes called Klebsiella. Overgrowth of Klebsiella has been found to occur in AS patients, and AS patients also have elevated levels of antibodies against Klebsiella bacteria. It has been suggested that Klebsiella bacteria may be a trigger factor for developing ankylosing spondylitis. When AS patients go on a low starch diet, they experience a reduction in antibodies and a decrease in inflammation and disease symptoms. In one study, a majority of the participants reported that the severity of symptoms declined, and in some cases, disappeared.

Le Dr Scott Johnson, qui a utilisé des méthodes naturelles pour guérir de la spondylarthrite ankylosante, rapporte que de nombreux patients ressentent un soulagement simplement en supprimant les aliments inflammatoires les plus courants de leur régime alimentaire : le sucre, les produits laitiers et le gluten. Il recommande également d'éviter ou d'éliminer les graisses saturées et trans, les acides gras oméga-3, les glucides raffinés et la viande hautement transformée ou de mauvaise qualité. En outre, le Dr Johnson suggère de consommer des aliments anti-inflammatoires comme le chocolat noir, les poissons gras, le gingembre, le curcuma, la cannelle, l'ail, les légumes verts à feuilles foncées, les noix, l'huile d'olive, les baies et les cerises acidulées.

The best way to figure out which foods are causing inflammation for you is to do an elimination diet in which you completely eliminate potentially inflammatory foods from your diet for a period of time, ideally at least one month. If you want guidance, a great place to start is with the Whole30 diet. After eliminating all possible triggers of inflammation, you’ll go through a process of reintroducing foods one at a time. This allows you to isolate the effects of individual foods, which can be very difficult to discern when consuming a typical, varied diet.

Jeûne thérapeutique

Le jeûne thérapeutique consiste à réduire considérablement l'apport calorique ou à s'abstenir complètement de manger pendant une période donnée dans le but d'améliorer la santé. Le jeûne intermittent décrit un jeûne thérapeutique qui dure moins de 24 heures. Le jeûne prolongé décrit généralement un jeûne qui dure plus de 24 heures.

While fasting has been a part of many cultures and religions throughout history, it has become mainstream recently as a result of research showing its vast health benefits. One of these important benefits is a reduction in inflammation. When we give our digestive system a break by not eating, levels of inflammatory cells fall, and the body can focus on healing itself rather than on digesting food.

Ankylosing spondylitis patients report that fasting reduces their pain, stiffness, and swelling, and improves their gut health. Research shows that fasting for just 12-16 hours reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, and it can be used to reduce chronic pain in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases including ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and type 1 diabetes.

Fasting should be practiced only after receiving approval from your doctor. And it should not be practiced by people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history of disordered eating, or have a health condition that contraindicates caloric restriction. If you want to learn more about fasting, I highly recommend Dr. Jason Fung’s book The Complete Guide to Fasting.

Et n'oubliez pas qu'il est très important de vous concentrer sur la consommation d'aliments entiers, nutritifs et anti-inflammatoires pendant votre période de repas. S'abstenir de manger permet au corps de se concentrer sur la guérison, mais vous devez également lui donner les nutriments dont il a besoin pour se guérir.

Arrêter de fumer

Research consistently shows a link between cigarette smoking and disease severity in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Smoking is associated with faster-moving spinal damage, more anxiety and depression, worse sleep, and poorer quality of life. In fact, a study of 900 people found that any history of smoking is associated with worse symptoms and disease progression when compared with people who have never smoked.

Les scientifiques ne savent pas exactement pourquoi le tabagisme contribue à aggraver les symptômes de la spondylarthrite ankylosante, mais beaucoup pensent que l'inflammation causée par le tabagisme joue un rôle. Les chercheurs notent que, comme les fumeurs ont tendance à avoir d'autres habitudes de vie qui aggravent également leurs symptômes, il peut être difficile de distinguer quelles habitudes affectent directement quels symptômes de la maladie.

Luckily, some of the negative effects of smoking can be reversed by quitting. A 2019 study of AS patients found that those who quit smoking experienced significant improvements in disease activity, physical mobility, and quality of life.

Thérapie par lumière rouge et lumière infrarouge

La luminothérapie rouge, également appelée thérapie au laser de faible intensité (LLLT) et photobiomodulation, utilise la lumière rouge et proche infrarouge pour stimuler les changements biochimiques dans les cellules de notre corps. La lumière rouge et proche infrarouge améliore notre production d'ATP, principale source d'énergie de nos cellules. L'absorption de la lumière rouge et proche infrarouge améliore également la signalisation cellulaire, la synthèse des facteurs de croissance et réduit le stress oxydatif.

Les humains ont évolué en étant naturellement exposés à la lumière rouge et proche infrarouge. Ces longueurs d'onde de lumière sont présentes en plus grande quantité au cours des 45 premières minutes après le lever du soleil et des 45 dernières minutes avant le coucher du soleil. Étant donné que la plupart d'entre nous sommes à l'intérieur à ces heures de la journée - ou si nous sommes à l'extérieur, notre peau n'est probablement pas exposée - nous passons à côté des bienfaits naturels et très nécessaires pour la santé du rouge et du proche infrarouge. lumière. Ainsi, la thérapie par la lumière rouge remplace simplement un type de lumière auquel nous devrions être exposés quotidiennement mais qui ne l’est plus en raison de notre mode de vie moderne.

Des milliers d’études sur la luminothérapie rouge ont montré des bénéfices pour un large éventail de problèmes de santé, des affections cutanées aux troubles auto-immuns en passant par les maladies neurodégénératives. La luminothérapie rouge améliore l’énergie cellulaire, soulage la douleur, réduit l’inflammation et il a même été démontré qu’elle améliore la santé du microbiome intestinal.

A 2016 study tested the effects of LLLT combined with passive stretching for AS patients. After 12 sessions of LLLT over eight weeks, the group that received red light therapy experienced a significant improvement in all pain and function scales. Eight weeks after the conclusion of the treatments, the patients still reported pain relief, but improvements in other function measurements had diminished. This suggests that red light therapy should be continued on a regular basis in order for improvements to be maintained.

Infrared light also comes from the sun, and has a longer wavelength than red light. It is invisible to the naked eye, and we feel it as heat. Since it has a long wavelength, it can reach deeper into our skin, muscles, and nerves than red light. Infrared light treatment leads to a decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation, improvement in circulation, stimulation of growth factors, and improved tissue repair. Like red light therapy, infrared light can improve a wide variety of health conditions, and its benefits are being studied extensively.

A 2019 study explored how infrared light could help ankylosing spondylitis patients. Test subjects received infrared light treatment twice daily for five consecutive days. The patients who received the treatment experienced reduced pain and stiffness, as well as a reduction in levels of C-reactive protein.

If you have never tried red light or infrared light therapy, you can likely find a local spa that offers one or both of these treatments. People who want to use these therapies on a regular basis can purchase a red light panel and/or an infrared sauna for their home. While these devices can be expensive, they are less expensive in the long run than visiting a spa regularly, and far more convenient. If you want to learn more about red light therapy, I highly recommend Ari Whitten’s book Red Light Therapy.

Cryothérapie du corps entier

La cryothérapie consiste à refroidir une partie du corps ou le corps entier à des fins thérapeutiques. Traditionnellement, la cryothérapie était pratiquée à l'aide de compresses de glace et de bains d'immersion dans l'eau froide. La cryothérapie du corps entier (CCE) fait aujourd'hui l'objet de recherches approfondies en tant que thérapie naturelle pour une grande variété de problèmes de santé, notamment la spondylarthrite ankylosante. La cryothérapie du corps entier est généralement réalisée dans une chambre dans laquelle l'utilisateur reste debout pendant deux à trois minutes. De l'air très sec et froid circule dans la chambre, abaissant la température de la peau de manière confortable.

La cryothérapie du corps entier s'est avérée être un traitement sûr et efficace pour les maladies inflammatoires douloureuses comme la spondylarthrite ankylosante. Cela s'explique notamment par le fait que la cryothérapie du corps entier réduit l'inflammation, a des effets positifs sur les cytokines et les hormones, régule le système nerveux autonome et libère des neurotransmetteurs qui modulent la sensation de douleur et l'humeur.

A number of studies have compared the effects of exercise therapy alone to exercise therapy practiced concurrently with WBC. One such study of 92 ankylosing spondylitis patients found that those who underwent cryotherapy at -110∘C experienced significantly reduced disease activity compared to the patients who did not. Another such study found that ankylosing patients who received WBC in addition to kinesitherapy experienced a greater increase in lumbar and thoracic spinal mobility than the control group, who received only kinesitherapy. Yet another similar study found that ankylosing spondylitis patients who received WBC experienced a significant decrease in markers of oxidative stress, along with a significant increase in total antioxidant status, as compared to controls.

Research consistently shows that WBC reduces inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis patients. A 2008 study tested the effect of WBC on pain reduction, disease activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-[TNF-]alpha and interleukin-[IL-]1), and improvement in functional scores, in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis/spondylitis). After undergoing nine sessions of WBC in five days, pain and disease activity scores decreased significantly, while functional scores significantly improved. There was also a significant reduction in TNF-alpha and IL-1.

Another study tested the effects of WBC on inflammation of the endothelium in ankylosing spondylitis. One group of patients received a three-minute session of WBC followed by a one-hour exercise session, while the other group received only the exercise session. Researchers measured levels of a variety of inflammatory biomarkers one day before and one day after the treatment period. The patients who received WBC treatment experienced a significant decrease in inflammatory biomarkers as compared to the control group. They also experienced an increase in albumin, a beneficial protein found in the blood.

WBC has also been shown to improve muscle function in ankylosing spondylitis patients. A 2015 study explored the effects of WBC on muscular disorders in AS patients using functional muscular testing. The researchers found that WBC led to improved results on functional muscle tests, including muscle strength and extensibility.

Pain relief is typically the most immediate concern for people who suffer from inflammatory conditions. A 2000 study of 120 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis, and other autoimmune diseases) tested the effect of WBC on pain levels. After WBC, the patients’ pain decreased significantly for about 90 minutes. The temporary pain relief facilitates physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. The patients reported that WBC was an essential part of their rehabilitation program.

Researchers have also examined the effect of WBC on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. They found that WBC decreased markers of oxidative stress, as well as levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, sCD40L, PAPP-A, and PLGF. The researchers concluded that WBC is a useful method of atherosclerosis prevention in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

La cryothérapie traditionnelle est facile à mettre en place à la maison, et vous pouvez décider plus tard de dépenser de l'argent pour une version plus coûteuse. À la maison, vous pouvez appliquer des compresses ou des manchons de glace sur des zones douloureuses spécifiques. Vous pouvez également prendre des douches froides, prendre un bain froid ou ajouter de la glace à un bain froid. Si vous souhaitez essayer les options les plus coûteuses, vous pouvez rechercher un spa local qui propose la cryothérapie du corps entier (comme celle utilisée dans les études de recherche référencées) ou un bain à remous froid. Vous pouvez décider de poursuivre les séances régulières de WBC dans un spa, d'acheter un bain à remous froid ou d'acheter un refroidisseur pour votre baignoire.

Mise à la terre

L'activation des cellules immunitaires et l'inflammation génèrent des radicaux libres, qui sont des molécules ou des atomes dotés d'électrons non appariés. Les radicaux libres sont très réactifs et instables, et ils peuvent réagir avec d'autres molécules et endommager les cellules de notre corps.

When our body does not have enough antioxidants to neutralize all of the free radicals being produced, the buildup of excess free radicals results in the state of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays a major role in chronic, degenerative illness such as cancer, autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases.

One of the easiest and most natural ways to neutralize free radicals is by grounding. The surface of the earth has an unlimited supply of free electrons due to solar wind, ionospheric wind, and meteorological activities. When we touch our bare skin to the earth, these free electrons flow from the surface of the earth into our body, where they pair with free radicals and neutralize them.

Unfortunately, wearing shoes with rubber soles prevents the free electrons from flowing into our body. The only way to effectively ground ourselves is by walking on the surface of the earth barefoot, wearing conductive footwear, or grounding indoors using a device such as a grounding mat or patch.

Thermography case studies illustrate how patients with chronic joint pain experience dramatic improvement from grounding, often within just a few days. Studies demonstrate how grounding reduces inflammation, relieves pain and stiffness, reduces arthritis symptoms, improves heart rate variability, has a favorable effect on blood viscosity, decreases red blood cell aggregation, improves blood pressure, regulates thyroid hormone production, regulates blood sugar levels, reduces anxiety, improves sleep, speeds wound healing, and shortens recovery time from viral infection. As the earth’s free electrons neutralize damaging free radicals, oxidative stress is reduced. Then the body is able to focus on healing itself, rather than constantly trying to reduce the buildup of free radicals.

If you want to learn more about grounding, I highly recommend reading Clint Ober’s book Earthing. It is also advisable to take it slow when you first being grounding yourself, since for most people it is a significant change in the internal state of their body. Start by grounding outdoors with bare feet for 30-60 continuous minutes per day. As a next step, try using a grounding mat indoors while you’re sitting down for periods of time. When you’ve worked up to grounding for 3-4 hours per day, then you’ll likely be ready to have a great night’s sleep on a grounding sleep mat, which is the easiest way to get a long stretch of grounding in each day.

Avancer

Lorsque vous pratiquez plusieurs pratiques de guérison naturelle, il est très utile de tenir un journal afin de pouvoir suivre l'effet de chaque pratique sur vous. Vous pouvez commencer par une seule pratique à la fois et vous y mettre progressivement pour permettre à votre corps de s'adapter. Par exemple, ne commencez pas par de longues séances d'exercices ; commencez par des séances courtes et douces et ne les prolongez que lorsque cela fait du bien à votre corps.

Comme l’écrit le Dr Johnson dans son livre :

« N’abandonnez pas si vous ne constatez pas de résultats immédiats. Vos résultats varieront en fonction de la progression de la maladie, de la durée de votre SA et de votre état de santé actuel. Certains remèdes peuvent prendre des semaines à produire des résultats. Continuez d’essayer et gardez une attitude positive. Vous pouvez vaincre la SA, car tout est possible. »