Morning stiffness with ankylosing spondylitis

It may be felt in the lower back, buttocks, hips or other affected areas. Stiffness can also return after sitting or lying still, reflecting an inflammatory pattern rather than simply muscles being tight.

Inflamed joints and attachment points around the spine become less comfortable during rest. Nearby muscles may tighten protectively, adding to the sense that the back will not move freely on waking. The intensity and duration can vary from one morning to another.

A change from your usual pattern can be more informative than a single difficult morning. Persistently longer stiffness, repeated night waking or a new loss of movement may suggest that disease activity or treatment needs review. Mechanical back problems can also cause morning discomfort, so the full pattern matters.

Begin with slow breathing and comfortable movements before deeper stretches. A warm shower or heat pack may relax guarded muscles; protect the skin and avoid heat over an area with reduced sensation. Short walking breaks can prevent stiffness building again during a sedentary day.

Plan demanding tasks after you have loosened up, and keep commonly used items within easy reach if bending is difficult. A physiotherapist can design a routine for spinal mobility, hip movement, posture and strength. Prescribed medication should be taken as directed rather than adjusted solely because one morning feels better or worse.

Book a review if morning stiffness is increasingly limiting dressing, washing, walking or work, or if the current management plan no longer settles symptoms. Report new swollen joints, heel pain, persistent bowel symptoms or a painful red eye because they may reflect inflammation beyond the back.

Get urgent help for new leg weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, chest pain, major breathing difficulty or intense spinal pain after an injury. Those are not routine features to manage with stretching at home.

Describe when stiffness starts easing, what movement helps and whether sleep is interrupted. Ask how to distinguish a flare from a temporary response to activity, what signs show treatment needs reassessment, and which morning exercises match your present range of motion.