Brighton NASS

National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

Registered Charity no. 272258

The Brighton Branch of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) currently meet every week on a Thursday evening, (6.30 pm to 8.00 pm) for people with Ankylosing Spondylitis to undertake informal sessions of physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Each session lasts approximately one hour, and is supervised by physiotherapists (hired by the Group) who have a keen interest in the Group and its members. The intention is to provide an opportunity to do stretches to help maintain the maximum range of all joints and to also incorporate some strengthening and aerobic exercises when possible. In addition we hope to ensure that each session is informative about Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) in general, as well as providing an opportunity to meet and chat with others who have AS. The Physiotherapists regularly carry out assessments on members in order to help them with the management of their condition.

We have specific social evenings, when members, physiotherapists and partners and friends go out for a meal together.

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The Group Members

Whether you are young or not so young, female or male, lithe and supple or rigid and stiff, or somewhere in between, you are welcome to join the Group if you have Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). The Group has members of both sexes, and includes a range of ages from late teens to early seventies. Whatever your physical abilities are, the routines carried out with the Group will be of benefit to you, and every level of physical ability is catered for.

Currently the Group has over 100 members and typically attracts 4 to 10 people per weekly session.

Aims of the Group Meetings

The Group meets primarily to offer members the facility of some supervised physiotherapy and hydrotherapy with other people who have AS and at a minimal cost. Also to provide support and advice about Ankylosing Spondylitis and how to cope with the condition in everyday living. Members are given the opportunity to discuss with other members, and the physiotherapist, any specific problems that they might have such as, how to deal with and cope with a ‘flare up’ or a specific ache or painful joint/muscle they might have, coupled with what medications are available and any possible side effects that there may be (most members use different medications to suit themselves and so provide a useful source of information).

Group members are one of the best sources of advice on how to cope and deal with everyday living with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Also some members, who are currently using (or have used) a form of alternative or specialist treatment, may be able to advise others as to the suitability of such a treatment for themselves.