Walkathon in Bhubaneswar Raises Awareness on Ankylosing Spondylitis

Bhubaneswar: In a heartfelt effort to shed light on a lesser-known but debilitating condition, Pain Free Odisha, in collaboration with Health Village Hospital, organized a Walkathon today to mark Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Day. The event aimed to spread awareness about Ankylosing Spondylitis — a chronic inflammatory disease that often goes undiagnosed and misunderstood.

Held in Bhubaneswar, the walkathon drew enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups, including patients, caregivers, doctors, and fitness advocates. With placards and slogans promoting awareness, participants walked in solidarity to highlight the importance of early detection and non-surgical management of the disease.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, often starting in early adulthood. If untreated, the disease can lead to spinal fusion, reduced mobility, and permanent disability. Despite its serious implications, AS is frequently mistaken for common back pain, delaying timely diagnosis and care.

Dr. Shovan Kumar Rath, a noted pain management specialist and advisor to Pain Free Odisha, emphasized the significance of such initiatives.
“Ankylosing Spondylitis can severely impact a person’s quality of life if not addressed early. Awareness is the first step. Through this walkathon, we want people to recognize that persistent back pain should never be ignored,” he said.

The event focused on three pillars of AS care:

• Early diagnosis, by recognizing symptoms such as chronic lower back pain and morning stiffness.
• Consistent medical supervision, to prevent disease progression.
• Lifestyle modifications, including therapeutic exercises, posture correction, and daily mobility practices.

Doctors from Pain Free Odisha also underlined the growing role of non-surgical treatments, including PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy, minimally invasive pain interventions, and customized physiotherapy plans. These approaches are increasingly helping patients manage chronic spinal pain without resorting to surgery.

Volunteers at the event distributed informational brochures and engaged with participants to explain symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. The open conversation helped dispel common myths about chronic back pain and musculoskeletal disorders.

“We are committed to making Odisha pain-free—not just through treatment, but through consistent public education and preventive care,” added Dr. Rath.

The walkathon concluded with a brief awareness session and interactive Q&A, where attendees got the chance to consult with pain specialists. Many participants expressed their appreciation, saying that initiatives like these are essential to foster understanding and empathy around chronic illnesses like Ankylosing Spondylitis.