Don't do movements that cause pain Carefully consider high-impact exercises, such as running, or jarring and twisting sports, such as tennis, squash, and racquetball. These could increase pain in the spine, hips, and knees.
For most people with AS, exercises to avoid include jarring, high-impact activities such as running, jumping, and contact sports or those with high balance requirements, as they increase the risk of falls.
The pain typically worsens during periods of rest or inactivity, which may cause some people to experience more pain during the middle of the night or after prolonged sitting. Usually, moving and exercise can help improve pain. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis vary from person to person.
Whether it's through physical therapy or on your own, dedicating time to stretching is key. “We recommend making sure that you maintain your flexibility,” says Dr. Elghawy. “And so doing with physical therapy or flexibility exercises on your own for your low back can provide a lot of relief.”
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory disorder and a rare form of arthritis. Triggers for ankylosing spondylitis include infections (gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections [UTIs], and respiratory infections), heavy physical activity, work stress, emotional stress, and pregnancy.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) — are the medicines health care providers most commonly use to treat axial spondyloarthritis and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis may affect more than the spine. The disease may inflame joints in the pelvis, shoulders, hips and knees, and between the spine and ribs.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the axial spine that can manifest with various clinical signs and symptoms. Chronic back pain and progressive spinal stiffness are the most common features of the disease.
Because the lower body supports the lumbar spine, Shroyer and Wu also recommend strengthening exercises for your glutes and hamstrings, such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts. “When the hips are strong, it can give the low back a feeling of support and mobility,” Wu says.
Strength-training exercises can do double duty. For example, plank exercises can work many muscle groups at once, including your abdominal, back, and chest muscles. Just start slowly, gradually increasing the number of your repetitions and the amount of time you hold each position, recommends the Arthritis Foundation.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can make your back stiff and achy. And it can feel even worse if you sit for a long time. Lower the seat of your desk chair so your thighs are at a right angle when you sit. It's best if you can plant your feet firmly on the floor.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eat lots of whole grains. Limit saturated fat and sugar, which are known for being inflammatory foods. Limit processed foods, which are often high in sodium and low in fiber and other nutrients.
Drinking enough water is important for anyone, but it's crucial if you have an inflammatory disease, such as AS. Water keeps joints and bones healthy and lessens inflammation, which along with a healthy lifestyle could improve symptoms.
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants, which help decrease inflammation and fight the effects of free radicals in your body. Much of their inflammation-fighting power comes from anthocyanin, the antioxidant flavonoid that gives them their distinctive color.
If you're still looking for answers to your AS symptoms, your doctor may talk with you about the latest treatment for ankylosing spondylitis, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors earned the Food and Drug Administration's green light for ankylosing spondylitis in 2021.
Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with changes in the gut microbiome and inflammation in the digestive system. People with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to have digestive symptoms and even inflammation in their gut. They have higher rates of functional bowel disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases.
The newer spondylitis classification system categorizes spondylitis into two main types according to where in the body the disease occurs. The two types are peripheral spondyloarthritis and axial spondyloarthritis.
(1) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs including the Coxib class are the first-line drugs for ankylosing spondylitis.
Sulfasalazine. Sulfasalazine is one medication that can be helpful to some people with severe disease. It is known to effectively control not only pain and joint swelling from arthritis of the small joints, but also the intestinal lesions in inflammatory bowel disease. It comes in tablet form and is taken orally.
While people with ankylosing spondylitis taking biologic medications might be at an increased risk of infections, there is no evidence at this time that suggests that patients with ankylosing spondylitis are at an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 or having more severe symptoms if they do get sick.