One of the more popular things to do when someone has a problem is to claim you have found the miracle answer. For AS that is often the new "ankylosing spondylitis breakthrough" and accompanying testimonials, or maybe it's glucosamine, or some other natural remedy.
I think that if something works for you, do it. Maybe it's lots of medication. Maybe it's none. Maybe it's radon baths, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or antibiotics. To me if it brings relief then it's worth it.
But here's the problem.
Regardless of what may or may not be effective for one person, I feel that consistent physical activity and stretching exercises help everyone. No exceptions.
Some people will ask "well what about if I can't run without it hurting for the next 4-5 days"?
Then don't run. Hit up pool exercises, swimming if feasible. Test out yoga and opt for alternate poses when difficulty arises. Perform Swiss ball exercises to the reasonable degree of difficulty. Get into resistant band workouts. Experiment with bodyweight exercises and biking. Maybe even elliptical work.
Now why isn't exercise touted as much by doctors? I feel the main reason is that they don't have as much knowledge about its benefits as they do medications and other western treatments. It's natural to strongly advocate what you understand if you feel it is of worth. It's just a shame most physicians don't have a better understanding of the potential of exercise.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Effective Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
To me one of the funniest things about Ankylosing Spondylitis is that most people don't want to know what it is. Even funnier is that those who do know what it is often make their description by pointing out what it isn't. Let me explain.
When I was initially dx'd the doctor gave me a very scientific-sounding explanation and an accompanying handout. It had some basic information on what it was and what to expect.
But more than anything it just told what it wasn't.
For example it did say it was an auto-immune disease. But that it wasn't Crohn's. It wasn't IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It wasn't fatal, etc. Ironically enough it didn't have much info. on HLA-B27, past medical advice vs. current, or the main ankylosing spondylitis treatment options:
But it would be interesting to know what my reaction would have been had they told me at that time what has proven to be the best medication for me...
EXERCISE!
There are a lot of alternative treatments for ankylosing spondylitis, and yet usually exercise is only mentioned passively as a potential treatment option. Why is that? I have a few theories I'll be discussing in the upcoming days. Until then, make sure you ConquerAS.
When I was initially dx'd the doctor gave me a very scientific-sounding explanation and an accompanying handout. It had some basic information on what it was and what to expect.
But more than anything it just told what it wasn't.
For example it did say it was an auto-immune disease. But that it wasn't Crohn's. It wasn't IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It wasn't fatal, etc. Ironically enough it didn't have much info. on HLA-B27, past medical advice vs. current, or the main ankylosing spondylitis treatment options:
- NSAIDs Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories Naproxen, Diclofinac, etc.
- DMARDs Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine
- Biologics and TNF Blockers Drugs that inhibit the binding of a specific protein
- Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, and Golimumab
- Steroids Mainly Cortisone
But it would be interesting to know what my reaction would have been had they told me at that time what has proven to be the best medication for me...
EXERCISE!
There are a lot of alternative treatments for ankylosing spondylitis, and yet usually exercise is only mentioned passively as a potential treatment option. Why is that? I have a few theories I'll be discussing in the upcoming days. Until then, make sure you ConquerAS.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Live to be 100
Interesting article pointed out to me today. Some things I found interesting:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23115268/
- Reference to a belief in god/religion making a difference
- Abstaining from alcohol and smoking
But what didnt't surprise me was what they found concerning exercise.
IT WORKS!
Leading an active life is the one faction of everyone's life that can be manipulated for benefits. As for the old adage "It's never to late to to get active?"
Looks like it has some empirical proof after all.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23115268/
Return of the Boozer
Finally! Boozer is back. After reading my frank commentary on his subpar play, he decided to start with the basics.
Rebounding and defense. Just like I talked about. Free throws?
Hey you can only expect so much of a guy who isn't an All-Star. Err....But back to the good stuff.
Boozer jumpstarted himself with some quality defense on Gasol, coming up with a couple deflections which led to steals and slowed the initial Lakers attack enough to keep the Jazz in the game. Not only that, he rebounded with ferocity, rarely allowing himself to be boxed out. After his early free-throw-line jumper it appeared Utah had unwrapped whatever had been covering his confidence.
An impressive 20-20 game was culminated by his play down the stretch. Instead of fading per usual he went to work. With L.A. keying on Williams every pick-and-roll, Boozer came up big hitting a tough fadeaway as the shot clock expired, another jumper, and a tough jump hook in the lane.
When Bryant badly missed a 3 he even did the unthinkable: boxed out!
Of course there were a couple reminders of why he's no Malone: his soft foul on Turiaf and missed free throws at the end. Still, it was encouraging to say the least. With Memo and Millsap both on their games, Utah's frontline is absolutely BEASTLY. Add in Williams' poised play at the point and the Jazz suddenly have a very good chance against any team.
Which Boozer will show up on Sunday? I don't know but I certainly hope it's something worthy of Mothers' Day.
And hits free throws too.
Rebounding and defense. Just like I talked about. Free throws?
Hey you can only expect so much of a guy who isn't an All-Star. Err....But back to the good stuff.
Boozer jumpstarted himself with some quality defense on Gasol, coming up with a couple deflections which led to steals and slowed the initial Lakers attack enough to keep the Jazz in the game. Not only that, he rebounded with ferocity, rarely allowing himself to be boxed out. After his early free-throw-line jumper it appeared Utah had unwrapped whatever had been covering his confidence.
An impressive 20-20 game was culminated by his play down the stretch. Instead of fading per usual he went to work. With L.A. keying on Williams every pick-and-roll, Boozer came up big hitting a tough fadeaway as the shot clock expired, another jumper, and a tough jump hook in the lane.
When Bryant badly missed a 3 he even did the unthinkable: boxed out!
Of course there were a couple reminders of why he's no Malone: his soft foul on Turiaf and missed free throws at the end. Still, it was encouraging to say the least. With Memo and Millsap both on their games, Utah's frontline is absolutely BEASTLY. Add in Williams' poised play at the point and the Jazz suddenly have a very good chance against any team.
Which Boozer will show up on Sunday? I don't know but I certainly hope it's something worthy of Mothers' Day.
And hits free throws too.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Utah Jazz and Boozer the Loser
I thought it was possible for the Jazz to win last night. They had a disappointing game 1 but certainly things couldn't get much worse.
Unfortunately they did. Sort of.
Worse in respect that they lost again to a Lakers juggernaut that is now 6-0 in the playoffs. The results for the last 4 Lakers teams to start the playoffs 6-0?
1 NBA Finals loss and 3 championships.
Needless to say this doesn't bode well for the Jazz. For that matter neither does Carlos Boozer. This is a guy who took the time to record a special TV appearance with a local network and yet somehow hasn't found the time to score above his season average since March.
Sloan's philosophy has always been that if you aren't an offensive threat or are in a slump, there are still 4 things you can do:
1) Play defense.
2) Box out and rebound.
3) Work on your free throws.
4) Play some more/better defense.
It's these keys that kept Jason Hart around for so much of this season even though everyone in the building and his grandma knew he couldn't hit a 12-foot jump shot to save his life. Ronnie Price has since eclipsed him to take the backup job. Why? Because he can now do all 4 of those things better, hit shots and has grasped the offense.
SO WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED WITH BOOZER?
Millsap has proved to have im-proved enormously since last season. Last night he only had 5-6 three point play opportunities. He scored 13 in 17 first half minutes and was the only reason Utah didn't trail by over 20 going into the half. He finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Still not good enough to avoid getting subbed out with Jaron Collins in favor of an Okur/Boozer combo down the stretch.
Come on Sloan. Start playing your players based on performance and not salary, media attention, or "All-Star" status.
Unfortunately they did. Sort of.
Worse in respect that they lost again to a Lakers juggernaut that is now 6-0 in the playoffs. The results for the last 4 Lakers teams to start the playoffs 6-0?
1 NBA Finals loss and 3 championships.
Needless to say this doesn't bode well for the Jazz. For that matter neither does Carlos Boozer. This is a guy who took the time to record a special TV appearance with a local network and yet somehow hasn't found the time to score above his season average since March.
Sloan's philosophy has always been that if you aren't an offensive threat or are in a slump, there are still 4 things you can do:
1) Play defense.
2) Box out and rebound.
3) Work on your free throws.
4) Play some more/better defense.
It's these keys that kept Jason Hart around for so much of this season even though everyone in the building and his grandma knew he couldn't hit a 12-foot jump shot to save his life. Ronnie Price has since eclipsed him to take the backup job. Why? Because he can now do all 4 of those things better, hit shots and has grasped the offense.
SO WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED WITH BOOZER?
Millsap has proved to have im-proved enormously since last season. Last night he only had 5-6 three point play opportunities. He scored 13 in 17 first half minutes and was the only reason Utah didn't trail by over 20 going into the half. He finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Still not good enough to avoid getting subbed out with Jaron Collins in favor of an Okur/Boozer combo down the stretch.
Come on Sloan. Start playing your players based on performance and not salary, media attention, or "All-Star" status.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Only 1 beast in the East...
It's official: The East is boring and WAY under par. Last night's game between Boston and Cleveland wasn't so much about defense as it was anemic offenses. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce? 4 combined points. 4! And Lebron "King" James couldn't hit a shot to save his life. Or to win the game for that matter. His outside shot is inconsistent and people know that.
BUT that's actually not his biggest problem. If he could consistently finish with his left he wouldn't even have to worry about his shot. Case in point: With the Cavs down 2 Lebron drove to the hoop and had a very makeable layup attempt. But since he was off balance and going to his left he missed trying to finger roll with his right hand. Had he shot it left? Game tied.
Hope my Jazz come out with more intensity tonight. It's important for Okur and Williams to play well, but the wildcard will be whoever Kobe is guarding (probably Brewer). It's important to make him work on the defensive end so he can't just coast.
BUT that's actually not his biggest problem. If he could consistently finish with his left he wouldn't even have to worry about his shot. Case in point: With the Cavs down 2 Lebron drove to the hoop and had a very makeable layup attempt. But since he was off balance and going to his left he missed trying to finger roll with his right hand. Had he shot it left? Game tied.
Hope my Jazz come out with more intensity tonight. It's important for Okur and Williams to play well, but the wildcard will be whoever Kobe is guarding (probably Brewer). It's important to make him work on the defensive end so he can't just coast.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Summer and the NBA Playoffs
School is out! Finally. Plus it looks like the weather has finally begun to listen to me and started warming up. On that note...
The playoffs are in full swing and so far have not disappointed. With the exception of Lakers-Nuggets (also known as Defense-Is-Optional) the first round had some good excitement. I really thought the Mavs would be able to take the Hornets but West and Paul have developed into a very potent 1-2 punch and so far their bench has been adequate. I don't know if they have enough in the tank to take the Conference finals though.
My Jazz made it tough on themselves but managed to finish off Houston. However the chance to sweep or finish them in 5 may come back to haunt them. They looked the older team in Game 1 vs. the Lakers. However, a scheduling quirk giving them an extra days rest before Game 2 could be enough to get them a bit more rejuvinated.
And if T-mac's whining wasn't enough the NBA has now instructed referees to call fouls anytime Kobe Bryant touches the ball. At least that's what it seemed like at times on Sunday according to multiple reports. 23 free throws? That's ridiculous even by Iverson standards. Brant is a physical guy, and to not be able to meet that physicality makes guarding him nearly impossible. I still think he's not as good defensively as he's given credit for so I'd love to see Brewer and co. make him work harder. Could Boozer maybe even play aggresive for a change? Perhaps that's too much to ask.
The playoffs are in full swing and so far have not disappointed. With the exception of Lakers-Nuggets (also known as Defense-Is-Optional) the first round had some good excitement. I really thought the Mavs would be able to take the Hornets but West and Paul have developed into a very potent 1-2 punch and so far their bench has been adequate. I don't know if they have enough in the tank to take the Conference finals though.
My Jazz made it tough on themselves but managed to finish off Houston. However the chance to sweep or finish them in 5 may come back to haunt them. They looked the older team in Game 1 vs. the Lakers. However, a scheduling quirk giving them an extra days rest before Game 2 could be enough to get them a bit more rejuvinated.
And if T-mac's whining wasn't enough the NBA has now instructed referees to call fouls anytime Kobe Bryant touches the ball. At least that's what it seemed like at times on Sunday according to multiple reports. 23 free throws? That's ridiculous even by Iverson standards. Brant is a physical guy, and to not be able to meet that physicality makes guarding him nearly impossible. I still think he's not as good defensively as he's given credit for so I'd love to see Brewer and co. make him work harder. Could Boozer maybe even play aggresive for a change? Perhaps that's too much to ask.
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