Abstract： Objective:To observe the clinical effect of long snake moxibustion for ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods:A total of 58 AS cases were randomized into a long snake moxibustion group and a Western medication group,29 in each group.The cases in the former group received long snake moxibustion and Western medication,whereas cases in the latter group received Western medication alone.Results:The total effective rate in the long snake moxibustion group was 93.1％,versus 62.1％ in the Western medication group,showing a statistical significance (P＜0.01); after the treatment,the scores of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI)were improved in both groups; however,the improvements of BASDAI and BASFI results in the long snake moxibustion group were more significant than those in the Western medication group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Long snake moxibustion and Western medication can significantly improve the clinical effect on AS,coupled with a remarkable effect in enhancing the patients' functions.