What Is the First Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that can cause persistent pain and stiffness around the spine and pelvis. Anti-inflammatory medication may reduce pain and inflammation, making movement easier. The appropriate medicine depends on your symptoms, other health conditions, current medicines and the clinician’s assessment.

Movement is a central part of care because prolonged stillness can worsen stiffness. Exercise Therapy may include mobility work, posture practice, breathing exercises and strengthening. A physiotherapist can adapt the plan to your spinal movement, fitness and daily routine.

Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and report troublesome effects rather than changing it yourself. Aim for regular, gentle spinal and hip movement, with pauses if symptoms flare. Walking, stretching and strengthening may be useful when selected for you. Hydrotherapy can be considered when exercising in warm water makes movement easier, but it is still best planned with professional guidance.

Keep track of morning stiffness, night pain, activity tolerance and any changes in posture or mobility. These details help your rheumatology or rehabilitation team judge whether the plan needs adjustment.

Seek urgent medical help for new weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the inner thighs, or severe back pain after an injury. Sudden painful eye redness with light sensitivity, or new breathing difficulty, also needs prompt assessment. Contact your treating team if pain is escalating, stiffness is limiting basic activities, or medicine causes concerning symptoms.

Ask which anti-inflammatory option fits your health history, what monitoring you need, and which exercises are safe during a flare. Ask how progress will be measured and when specialist treatment should be discussed if symptoms remain active.