Does hydrotherapy treat ankylosing spondylitis?

Warm water supports part of your body weight, reducing the load on painful joints while you practise controlled movement. Buoyancy can make spinal, hip and shoulder exercises feel more manageable. Water resistance also lets a physiotherapist adjust the effort gradually. The aim is usually to maintain mobility, improve confidence with movement and reduce the effect of stiffness on daily activities. Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition, so a rheumatology plan remains central; hydrotherapy is one part of rehabilitation.

Ask a physiotherapist experienced in inflammatory spinal conditions to assess your posture, pain, balance and current flare pattern. Sessions may include gentle range-of-motion work, walking drills, breathing exercises and strengthening adapted to the pool. Start at a tolerable level and allow recovery time afterwards. Tell the therapist if symptoms increase during or after exercise. Do not enter a pool if you have an open wound, fever or another reason your clinician has advised you to avoid communal water.

Contact your treating clinician if pain, swelling, fatigue or stiffness changes noticeably, or if pool exercise repeatedly worsens symptoms. Seek urgent assessment for new leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, chest pain or severe breathing difficulty.

Would hydrotherapy suit my current symptoms and spinal mobility? Which movements should I avoid during a flare? How should pool exercise fit alongside my medicines and home programme?