Description: These devices are designed to provide a type of massage.

Type: Cushion massage (Example: water soles for inside the shoes)

Pros: Usually affordable and easy to use.

Cons: May cause imbalance and falls in those with walking problems.

Personal Experience: I find these types of things annoying rather than helpful.

Type: Mechanical massage (Anything that creates a rolling or circular motion for massage).

Pros: Easy to find and easy to use. Instant relief usually.

Cons: Most of these devices require being near an electrical socket. Battery operated devices tend not to be very strong. Bulky to store. Sometimes heavy to use.

Personal Experience: I have the most wonderful neck massager from HomEdCo that has been a lifesaver to me. It is 2 short fabric covered pegs that move in circular motions and massage the back of the neck. You can make it go clockwise and counter clockwise. Instant headache and/or neck releif.

Type: Vibrating massage (multiple sizes and shapes)

Pros: Usually easy to find and easy to use. Give instant relief to certain types of pain (especially muscle tension).

Cons: Many of these devices require being near an electrical socket. Battery operated devices tend not to be very strong. Have to be careful to choose between real therapeutic vibrating devices and those built mainly for sexual pleasure, as the latter are not generally very sturdy and not necessarily built for the type of pain relief that people with AS are seeking. Also be careful of vibrating neck massagers that wrap around the neck as people complain about choking or coughing when they use these devices.

Personal Experience: I have a vibrating massager that I use specifically when I am having trouble with a certain kink in my back. The particular device that I use looks like a tennis ball on the end of a stick. I lie on my back and carefully position the massager on the spot needed and turn it on for about 5-10 minutes. THe pressure from me laying on it and the vibration usually help the area that gives me trouble. As a rule of thumb, generally the larger devices are better than the smaller ones for AS pain relief.

Description: These types of devices invert you upside down in various manners. All seem to secure you by the foot/ankle/calf region. Some are with a support table and some are without.

Type: Free hanging & table support

Pros: Enthusiasts of inversion therapy say that it relieves back pain, reduce stress, stimulate circulation and increase oxygen supply to the brain. It enables the body to stretch, reduces muscle pain and provides balance and orientation training. Inversion therapy releases shoulder tension, eases tension headaches, stimulates mental alertness, increases skin and hair health and reduces the effects of aging caused by gravity and poor circulation. The conversion kit allows you to use the inversion table with gravity boots.Consult your physician before using inversion therapy.

Cons: Those without the support table tend to be very difficult to use because they require a great deal of agility and arm strength to get into position. People with a history of eye pressure problems (like glaucoma), heart of circulatory problems, spinal injury, or bone weaknesses or fractures should not use inversion therapy. Cost can be an issue for many. Storage of the table versions of this can be a problem.

Personal Experience: I find it ghastly to hang upside down. Not only did it NOT help my back but it caused my knees and ankles to ache. I have tried both types of inversion device and the table version is easier than the free hanging but I don't recommend either one to those with AS unless you have already tried it and are happy with the result.