--- title: 'Ankylosing spondylitis: Spondylitis ankylosans in Detail - Gastein Healing Gallery' url: 'https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/' description: "Comprehensive information on ankylosing spondylitis: From treatment without medication to the progression of AS – expertise from the world's largest therapy center" image: 'https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/5/csm_untersuchung-der-wirbelsaeule-01_421f3f3831.webp' date: '2025-10-01' modified: '2025-10-01' lastUpdated: '2025-10-01' type: website site: 'Gasteiner Heilstollen' --- # Ankylosing spondylitis: Spondylitis ankylosans in Detail - Gastein Healing Gallery Ankylosing spondylitis ====================== Radon therapy for ----------------- Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as Bechterew's disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine. This rheumatic disease causes deep-seated back pain and morning stiffness, and can lead to stiffening of the spine over the years. Everyday activities such as bending over, stretching, or sitting for long periods of time become a challenge for those affected. A cure in the Gastein Healing Gallery offers a natural, gentle alternative and valuable supplement to conventional medical therapy for Bechterew's disease. Instead of relying on medication, sufferers benefit from a unique combination of warmth, high humidity, and radon – with impressive results in terms of mobility and pain relief. On this page: - [ Ankylosing spondylitis: symptoms and challenges in everyday life ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/#c5894 "Ankylosing spondylitis: symptoms and challenges in everyday life") - [ Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis: How does the Healing Gallery work? ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/#c5893 "Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis: How does the Healing Gallery work?") - [ Benefits of Healing Gallery Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/#c5892 "Benefits of Healing Gallery Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis") - [ Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/#c5890 "Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis") - [ Healing Gallery Therapy in Gastein ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/diagnoses/ankylosing-spondylitis/#c5887 "Healing Gallery Therapy in Gastein") Ankylosing spondylitis: symptoms and challenges in everyday life ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ankylosing spondylitis often begins gradually—with nonspecific back pain or tension. Typical symptoms include: - Nighttime back pain and restless sleep - Morning stiffness that only subsides with movement - Pain that is exacerbated by jolts such as coughing or sneezing - Fatigue that is difficult to explain - Discomfort in the hips, heels, sternum, knee joints, or Achilles tendon - Buttock pain that radiates into the legs - Digestive problems and gastrointestinal complaints - Eye inflammation and reddened eyes (e.g., iritis) As the disease progresses, the spine may become increasingly stiff, limiting mobility and leading to a hunched posture. Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis: How does the Healing Gallery work? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Gastein Healing Gallery is the world's largest therapy center for Bechterew's disease. The special healing climate combines three key factors that have been proven to provide relief: - Radon-rich air: The noble gas is absorbed in small doses through the skin and lungs. It releases mild alpha rays in the body, which activate anti-inflammatory messenger substances. These provide lasting relief from pain and accompanying symptoms. - Warm temperatures (37–41.5 °C): The heat relaxes the muscles, relieves tension, and enhances the positive effect of radon absorption. - High humidity (70–100%): Supports the absorption of radon and promotes regeneration. This unique combination inhibits inflammatory processes, provides lasting pain relief, and improves mobility—without the side effects of long-term medication. [Effects & benefits of the healing gallery](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/the-healing-gallery/impact-effects/) Benefits of Healing Gallery Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis -------------------------------------------------------------- Studies and many years of patient experience demonstrate the effectiveness of Healing Gallery Therapy. Numerous scientific studies confirm: - significantly reduced pain (up to 9 months symptom-free) - increased mobility in everyday life - less need for painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication - more energy and a noticeable improvement in quality of life More than just pain relief: In addition to the Healing Gallery Therapy itself, accompanying measures such as exercise programs, breathing exercises, or physiotherapy applications support the success of the therapy. At the same time, the experts at the Gastein Healing Gallery focus on education: Patients learn to better understand and actively manage their condition—an important step toward improved quality of life. ![Woman relaxing on a lounger in the radon gallery in Bad Gastein to improve her quality of life with rheumatoid arthritis.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/0/csm_rheumatoide-arthritis-lebenserwartung-radontherapie-bad-gastein_77f5f4eaf0.webp) ![A doctor in a white coat with the Gastein Healing Gallery logo is sitting at a table talking to a patient. She is holding a pen in her hand and filling out a form.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/f/csm_morbus_bechterew-gasteiner-heilstollen16_3e6f310a80.webp) Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis ------------------------------------ ### Experiences ### Christa Limmer 60, Reisbach, Germany --- Chronic pain caused by rheumatism dominated Christa Limmer's life for a long time – until she discovered the Gastein Healing Gallery. Thanks to natural radon therapy, she is now virtually pain-free and has regained her quality of life. In this interview, she talks about her impressive experiences. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/how-the-healing-gallery-helps-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-ankylosing-spondylitis/ "Christa Limmer") [![A patient with rheumatoid arthritis looks out of the train compartment with other patients and smiles.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/1/4/csm_patientin-rheumatoide-arthritis-schaut-aus-zugabteil-gasteiner-heilstollen_7df89c2fb2.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/how-the-healing-gallery-helps-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-ankylosing-spondylitis/ "How the healing gallery helps with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis") ### Petra Grube 65, Loitz, Germany --- Since 1952, 125,000 patients with ankylosing spondylitis have found relief in the Gastein Healing Gallery. Behind this number are personal stories and successes: less pain, more mobility, a new zest for life. A treasure of nature, confirmed by studies. The anniversary patient reports on her experiences. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/125000-patients-with-ankylosing-spondylitis-in-the-healing-gallery/ "Petra Grube") [![Patient with Bechterew's disease sits on a locomotive in the Gastein Healing Gallery.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/1/3/csm_patientin-morbus-bechterew-sitzt-auf-lok-heilstollen_473d281204.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/125000-patients-with-ankylosing-spondylitis-in-the-healing-gallery/ "125,000 patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the healing gallery") ### Elisa Pachernik 28, Heiligenkreuz, Austria --- Back pain? It's harmless, right? Not for young people with ankylosing spondylitis. This chronic disease often starts early, but is only diagnosed late. Elisa Pachernik experienced exactly that. Her symptoms began at age 14, and she received a definitive diagnosis at 19. She talks about how she learned to live with the disease. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-also-affects-young-people/ "Elisa Pachernik") [![A young woman wearing a winter jacket and scarf stands smiling next to an old, rusty mine cart with crossed miner's symbols in front of the entrance to the Gastein Healing Gallery in the snow.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/user_upload/10_Patienten_Testis_Model/alt/morbus-bechterew-jugendalter-erfahrungen-radontherapie-gastein.jpg)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-also-affects-young-people/ "Ankylosing spondylitis also affects young people") ### Sabine Cauli 61, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany --- After my stay in the healing gallery, I am usually pain-free for almost 10 months and only need to take tablets very rarely. Sabine has been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for 38 years. Today, she has hardly any symptoms. Her recipe for success is treatments in the Gastein Healing Gallery and a mindful lifestyle. In this interview, she talks about her experiences. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-experiences-of-a-patient/ "Sabine Cauli") [![Bild der Frau, September 7, 2022, Austria, Bad Gastein Patient story: Gastein Healing Gallery Sabine Cauli, rheumatic disease, ankylosing spondylitis Photo: Marion Vogel](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/c/csm_Sabine_Cauli_086_f98d87cdbc.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-experiences-of-a-patient/ "Ankylosing spondylitis: experiences of a patient") ### Günther Gruber 52, Naarn, Austria --- "I can no longer imagine life without the healing gallery. For me, it is the most important remedy and, along with daily exercise and plenty of movement, helps me to live with my illness with just one tablet a day." Günther talks about his experiences and why he had the healing gallery logo tattooed on his body. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/when-the-healing-gallery-gets-under-your-skin/ "Günther Gruber") [![Gruber Günther with Tatoo at the healing gallery.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/9/4/csm_gruber-g%C3%BCnther-tatoo_02c062805d.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/when-the-healing-gallery-gets-under-your-skin/ "When the healing gallery gets under your skin") ### Gotthard Baumann 72, Falkenfels, Germany --- Before the treatment, I had the typical Bechterew's gait: my shoulders were hunched forward and I swayed when walking due to stiff hips. It was like a 'duck walk'. Since my first treatment in the healing gallery, I no longer have this problem. My stiffness has almost completely disappeared, I am mobile and I feel good. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-hardly-any-stiffness-thanks-to-healing-gallery/ "Gotthard Baumann") [![Patient with ankylosing spondylitis in the outdoor area of the Gastein Healing Gallery during the coronavirus pandemic.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/6/csm_patient-morbus-bechterew-im_au%C3%9Fenbereich-heilstollen-waehrend-corona_0e71912023.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-hardly-any-stiffness-thanks-to-healing-gallery/ "Ankylosing spondylitis: Hardly any stiffness thanks to healing gallery") ### Martin Schroth 67, Keltern, Germany --- In his mid-twenties and confined to a wheelchair, Bechterew's disease robbed Martin of all hope. Medication did not help; instead, he suffered from severe side effects. It was the Gastein Healing Gallery that brought about the turning point: today, he lives pain-free, is back at work, hikes with his wife, and enjoys life. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-terminal-stage-in-your-mid-twenties/ "Martin Schroth") [![Train enters the radon tunnel](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/7/4/csm_zug-im-gasteiner-heilstollen-_c486b27d72.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-terminal-stage-in-your-mid-twenties/ "Ankylosing spondylitis: Terminal stage in your mid-twenties?") ### Lisa de Vries 74, Unterföhring, Germany --- Lisa de Vries from Unterföhring has been coming to the Gastein Healing Gallery for treatment for almost 15 years. This has helped her to manage her ankylosing spondylitis, with its associated pain and flare-ups, and today she radiates a zest for life. We spoke to her about her ankylosing spondylitis, her journey to the Healing Gallery, and her current outlook on life: [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-hardly-any-flare-ups-thanks-to-healing-gallery-therapy/ "Lisa de Vries") [![A patient with ankylosing spondylitis is standing in a meadow holding hiking poles in her hands.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/d/c/csm_patientin-morbus-bechterew-steht-bad-gastein_b948e5d19d.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/ankylosing-spondylitis-hardly-any-flare-ups-thanks-to-healing-gallery-therapy/ "Ankylosing spondylitis: Hardly any flare-ups thanks to healing gallery therapy") ### Günter Müller 68, Bergen-Celle, Germany --- Günter Müller (51) has suffered from ankylosing spondylitis for over 30 years, is severely restricted in his movements, and has lost his job and social contacts. It takes him almost 40 minutes to walk 500 meters. By chance, he discovers an article about radon therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery in Austria—a possible turning point in his life. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/experience-report-bechterews-disease-pain/ "Günter Müller") [![The Gastein Healing Gallery, nestled in the surrounding mountain forest, photographed from the air](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/2/0/csm_radonstollen-gastein-luftbild-10_910ac5be14.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/experience-report-bechterews-disease-pain/ "Experience report: Bechterew's disease – pain") ### Bauernfeind-Pabst Harald 51, Neukirchen, Austria --- Right after the first series of treatments, I was pain-free for almost six months and needed less medication," says Harald, delighted with the successful treatment in the Gastein Healing Gallery. [ To the experience report ](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/experience-report-by-harald-bauernfeind-pabst-diagnosed-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ "Bauernfeind-Pabst Harald") [![Portrait of Bechterew's disease patient Harald Bauernfeind Pabst in the healing gallery.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/2/5/csm_bauernfeind-harald-morbus-bechterew-gasteiner-heilstollen_43ec1f6351.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/magazin/experience-report-by-harald-bauernfeind-pabst-diagnosed-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ "Experience report by Harald Bauernfeind-Pabst, diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis") Healing Gallery Therapy in Gastein ---------------------------------- ### Therapy & Services Radon therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery is tailor-made: doctors generally recommend eight to twelve sessions in the warm Healing Gallery. [Each session](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/the-healing-gallery/therapy-admission-procedure/) lasts around one hour, during which time the combination of radon, warmth, and humidity has an intense effect. ### procedure A train takes patients directly into the interior of the mountain, where the body relaxes at a constant temperature of over 37.5 °C and high humidity. The radon-rich climate has a powerful effect on inflammatory processes, the immune system, and pain receptors. [Therapy procedure](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/the-healing-gallery/therapy-admission-procedure/) [![Group of patients smiles as they look out of the yellow train in the Gastein Healing Gallery](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/d/a/csm_radonstollen-heilstollen-oesterreich-gastein03_f74fe0b458.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/the-healing-gallery/therapy-admission-procedure/ "procedure") ### Complementary therapies Depending on individual needs, the stay in the Healing Gallery can be supplemented by physical treatments such as massages, exercise therapy, or physical therapy. This provides ideal support for the recovery process. [Physical Therapies](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/plan-therapy-treatment/physical-therapies/) [![The masseuse massages the man's back.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/c/csm_haende-massage-nah-heilstollen-02_072838ae63.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/plan-therapy-treatment/physical-therapies/ "Complementary therapies") ### Prices & Reimbursement Therapy in the Gastein Healing Gallery is recognized by health insurance companies in Austria, Germany, and South Tyrol. However, many patients also come to the Healing Gallery as self-payers. [Prices & Reimbursement](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/prices-reimbursement/prices-packages/) [![A doctor in a white coat with the Gastein Healing Gallery logo is sitting at a table talking to a patient. She is holding a pen in her hand and filling out a form.](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/f/csm_morbus_bechterew-gasteiner-heilstollen16_907fec6868.webp)](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/prices-reimbursement/prices-packages/ "Prices & Reimbursement") Arrange a free medical consultation with our team of specialist doctors now: [Schedule an appointment](https://www.gasteiner-heilstollen.com/en/consulting-service/medical-consultation/)