Free online programme for people with axial spondyloarthritis launched

Have you heard of axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA)?

Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints, affecting 1 in 200 adults in the UK. More research is needed into how many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also have axial SpA, but current research estimates it’s up to 13%.

We know that 7% of people with axial SpA also have IBD, so there is a link between the two conditions. People with axial SpA tend to experience inflammatory back pain:

• Symptoms starting slowly
• Pain in the low back
• Improves with movement, doesn’t improve with rest
• Night time waking due to pain
• Early onset (people under the age of 40)

The inflammation can affect other areas of the body, such as the eyes, the skin, and the gut.

Like IBD, there are lots of things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms as you learn to live with the condition. It can feel overwhelming at the beginning and difficult to know where to start. NASS has launched a free online programme, Your SpAce, for people at the beginning of their axial SpA journey or those who are struggling and feeling isolated.

Created in partnership with people living with axial SpA and healthcare professionals, Your SpAce allows people with axial SpA to discover new ways to manage their condition, in their own time and at their own pace. To create a personalised toolkit, there are downloadable resources to use alongside the videos.

Now, Your SpAce is more than just an online resource. With free online meetups on the first Tuesday of every month, NASS bring together people with axial SpA to share experiences, get advice, and connect with people who really understand what it’s like to live with a long-term condition.

If you live with axial SpA, visit Your SpAce to join the community and discover new ways to manage your condition and the impact it has on your life. If you’ve experienced back pain for more than three months, visit the NASS symptom checker to see if it could be inflammatory and what next steps you may need to take.