The Spondyloarthropathies Rather than a single form of arthritis, the Yoga poses to weight loss spondylarthropathies comprise a group of diseases that affect the spine, the sacroiliac joints where the lower Yoga poses to weight loss end of the spine attaches to the pelvis, and the structures that join ligaments and tendons to bone. These diseases can also affect other joints, such as those of the arms, legs, feet, and hands, and body tissues, including the skin, eyes, bowel, and genitourinary tract. It is estimated that between 354,000 and 412,000 Americans over age fifteen have a spondylarthropathy.9 Following are the most common of these diseases.
Ankylosing spondylitis Largely a disease of young men, ankylosing spondylitis usually begins gradually with back pain, which can range from mild to severe and is generally worse at night or first thing in the morning. Some people also have pain that radiates down the legs. The Normal Situation Rheumatoid Arthritis Figure 3. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune system retains its potency, but it performs its lethal tasks on the very cells it normally defends.