Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
David Ozeri, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist from Tel Aviv, Israel specializing in arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and biologic therapies.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine. However, it can also spread to other joints of the body and affect internal organs. Because AS causes damage to the spine, it can have a serious impact on your posture.
This article discusses how ankylosing spondylitis affects the spine and causes poor posture. It also provides exercises and tips to help improve it.
Ankylosing spondylitis typically first affects the sacroiliac joints (joints that begin at the bottom of the spine where it attaches to the pelvis). Over time, the disease works its way to the upper spine.
Your spine consists of 26 vertebrae—small bones stacked on top of each other. AS can cause these bones to fuse together. This condition causes a kyphotic deformity, or rounding of the upper back, and flattening of the lower back. As the disease progresses, the spine gets "stuck" in this stooped-over position.
Poor posture from AS causes significant difficulty with daily tasks. It also leads to balance issues which can increase the risk of falls.
Below are tips you can take in different positions to improve your posture when you have ankylosing spondylitis.
It's important to support the natural curves of your spine for proper posture when you're sitting. It can be helpful to try these tips at your desk or while you're at the table eating:
Focus on keeping your spine straight when standing or walking, as follows:
Lying down can be uncomfortable when you have ankylosing spondylitis. Try these tips to support your spine while you sleep:
A stooped posture from ankylosing spondylitis can place pressure on your internal organs and lead to breathing difficulties.
Stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve your posture if you have ankylosing spondylitis. If you experience pain, stop exercising and talk to your healthcare provider.
If the cobra stretch is too intense, prop yourself up on your elbows instead of straightening your arms.
Poor posture is a common side effect of ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine. Maintaining proper posture when you're sitting, standing, and sleeping can help prevent deformities in your spine. Exercises can also help stretch tight muscles and strengthen the muscles responsible for keeping your spine in proper alignment.
Ankylosing spondylitis causes changes in your posture, but it doesn't happen overnight. Find the time to incorporate posture exercises into your day to help prevent significant complications from developing down the road. Maintaining your spine in proper alignment can also help decrease back pain that occurs with AS. For an individualized exercise program, see a physical therapist.
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause kyphosis in the upper back, a condition commonly called "hunchback."
Yes, back pain and stiffness caused by ankylosing spondylitis tend to worsen with prolonged sitting. Get up every hour and walk around for five to 10 minutes if you have to sit for an extended period.
Regular physical activity can help combat stiffness and help you maintain your strength if you have ankylosing spondylitis. However, any exercises that cause pain should be avoided. If you are unsure if a particular activity is safe for you, talk to your healthcare provider.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis.
De Nunzio AM, Iervolino S, Zincarelli C, et al. Ankylosing spondylitis and posture control: the role of visual input. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:948674. doi:10.1155/2015/948674
By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey is a physical therapist and professor of anatomy and physiology with over a decade of experience providing in-person and online education for medical personnel and the general public, specializing in the areas of orthopedic injury, neurologic diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy living.
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