When is exercise therapy recommended for ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammatory back pain, morning stiffness, reduced spinal movement, and changes in posture. A physiotherapist can assess your spine, hips, shoulders, breathing movement, balance, and daily activities. The programme may combine mobility work, posture practice, stretching, strengthening, aerobic activity, and breathing exercises. Regular movement can help you preserve function even when symptoms are quieter; during a flare, the intensity and range may need to be reduced rather than stopping all movement.

Ask for an individual assessment after diagnosis, when symptoms change, or when stiffness begins limiting work, sleep, walking, or self-care. Start with gentle movements and progress gradually under professional guidance. Keep a record of which activities ease stiffness and which increase symptoms later that day. Use comfortable posture during sitting and sleeping, and balance strengthening with mobility instead of repeatedly forcing painful spinal positions.

Contact your clinician promptly for new weakness, numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe sudden pain, fever with back pain, or pain after a significant injury. Seek advice if exercise repeatedly causes a marked flare, eye pain with light sensitivity, or chest tightness, because the plan or medical treatment may need review.

Could a physiotherapist tailor exercises to my current spinal movement and flare pattern? Which movements should I modify, and how should I pace activity on a difficult day? How will we measure changes in posture, mobility, strength, and daily function?