The Effect of Acupuncture Protocol Involving in Weizhong (BL4) and Huantiao (GB30) Points in Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible adult (≥18 years of age) patients * had a diagnosis of AS for at least 3 months defined as definite by the 1984 modified New York criteria * Eligible patients also had a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) of ≥4 (0-10 cm scale) * A visual analogue scale (VAS) score for total back pain of ≥4 (0-10 cm scale) Exclusion Criteria: * Had received prior Acupuncture therapy * With complete ankylosis of the spine, defined as the presence of bridging syndesmophytes at all intervertebral levels of the cervical and lumbar spine on lateral view spinal radiographs