The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has launched a series of new resources to provide support to those living with Axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) manage their symptoms.

NASS undertook consultations with people living with axial SpA and healthcare professionals and identified that people needed most support to manage their pain, fatigue, and axial SpA flares.

From this work, NASS have co-produced Your SpAce, a free online programme for people at the beginning of their axial SpA journey, or those looking for more support. Osteopaths can signpost their patients to the programme for videos explaining the condition, and sharing self-management techniques.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis, is inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine. It affects 1 in 200 adults in the UK and the average age of onset is 26. There is a current delay to diagnosis of 8.5 years.

Osteopaths are well placed to recognise the symptoms and refer on for investigations if needed.

Once diagnosed, axial SpA impacts a person’s physical health, mental health, and quality of life. As osteopaths treat patients as a whole, they are well suited to guiding people with axial SpA to understand more about their condition and feel more able to self-manage their symptoms alongside support from their healthcare team.