What to expect from physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis

An assessment considers spinal and hip movement, posture, chest expansion, muscle strength, fatigue, pain patterns, and the tasks you want to keep doing. Sessions may use mobility exercises for the spine and hips, extension practice, chest-opening and breathing work, and strengthening for the trunk and limbs. The programme should fit your current symptoms and medical treatment rather than pushing through a flare.

Short, regular movement breaks can help counter stiffness from prolonged sitting. Practise the home exercises with calm breathing and controlled form; your physiotherapist may suggest walking, swimming, or another low-impact activity that you can sustain. During a flare, ask how to modify intensity and which positions are comfortable. Discuss sleep posture, desk setup, lifting habits, and work demands so treatment includes practical changes, not only clinic exercises.

Contact your medical team for a marked change in pain, new weakness, worsening numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Seek urgent help after a significant fall or injury, especially if back pain is sudden and severe. A painful red eye, breathing change, or other new symptom should also be reported because ankylosing spondylitis can involve more than the spine.

Ask which exercises suit your current disease activity, how to adapt the plan during flares, whether your breathing needs assessment, and how physiotherapy should coordinate with rheumatology care.