Living with AS

Regular exercise is an important part of your AS treatment program. It helps to relieve pain and stiffness, keep joints moving, improve your posture, and improve flexibility. Exercise also ensures you can continue to move your spine and expand your chest. Most people with AS feel better with exercise.

Protecting your joints involves using them in ways that avoid putting stress on them while doing your daily activities. Joint protection means you will experience less pain and have less difficulty performing daily activities. For many people, joint protection means changing the way you are used to using your joints.

Healthy eating is an important part of healthy living and of taking control of your life. There are no studies to prove that certain foods cure ankylosing spondylitis, but eating healthy can improve your overall health. Appropriate diet and nutrition can reduce your risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, increase your energy, and build muscle and bone strength.

Physiotherapy is an important part of managing ankylosing spondylitis. Combined with a proper exercise program, physiotherapy can help maintain physical function. Your physical therapist can teach you how to do exercises safely and effectively to prevent further injury. Your physical therapist may recommend range-of-motion exercises to help keep joints moving and reduce stiffness.

Living with ankylosing spondylitis can be frustrating and emotional. The challenges and changes you face in your daily activities can be stressful. Depression and sleep disruptions are common among people with arthritis. Many people may feel helpless and isolated and experience mood swings and loss of appetite.