How to Manage
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Select a category to learn more
Exercise
Exercise Tip
Focus on strengthening your abdominal muscles to help with lower back pain.
Diet
Posture
Coping Strategies
Exercise Tip
Stretching exercises can help maintain your spine’s flexibility and aid in good posture.
Exercise Tip
Work on your balance to avoid serious falls.
Exercise Tip
Incorporate aerobic exercises
into your workout to boost heart and lung function.
Exercise Tip
Avoid high-impact and fast-moving exercises like martial
arts and contact sports.
Diet Tip
Stock your kitchen with fresh, whole foods like beans, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and
nuts and seeds.
Diet Tip
Limit the amount of processed foods you eat.
Diet Tip
Choose your fats wisely — unsaturated fats are better than saturated fats.
Diet Tip
Reduce added sugar in your diet to help manage inflammation.
Diet Tip
Keep a food journal to note
if any dietary changes affect
your symptoms.
Posture Tip
Use a sit-stand desk to get
a mixture of both throughout
the day.
Posture Tip
If your chair doesn’t have built-in lumbar support, use a specially designed lumbar cushion or a rolled-up towel.
Posture Tip #3
Sit in a supportive chair that has
a large backrest with adjustable height, lumbar support and a soft, contoured seat.
Posture Tip
Practice deep breathing to exercise your rib cage.
Posture Tip
Focus on stretching your hamstrings and hip muscles.
Posture Tip
Keep your head over your
neck by aligning your ears
with your shoulders.
Posture Tip
Adjust your seat heat or
monitor height so you’re looking straight ahead.
Coping Tip
Try yoga, Pilates or
massage therapy to help
your mental health.
Coping Tip
Consider joining an AS
support group.
Coping Tip
Limit your alcohol consumption.
Coping Tip
Wear comfortable shoes with
a cushioned base and support near your ankle.
Coping Tip
Focus on sleep by using a supportive neck pillow or a
pillow between your legs.
Coping Tip
Take a hot shower to help alleviate pain and stiffness.
Exercise Tip
Exercise Tip
Work on your balance to avoid serious falls.
Exercise Tip
Incorporate aerobic exercises into your workout to boost heart and lung function.
Exercise Tip
Avoid high-impact and
fast-moving exercises like martial arts and contact sports.
Diet Tip
Keep a food journal to note if any dietary changes affect your symptoms.
Diet Tip
Reduce added sugar in your diet to help manage inflammation.
Diet Tip
Choose your fats wisely — unsaturated fats are better than saturated fats.
Diet Tip
Limit the amount of processed foods you eat.
Diet Tip
Stock your kitchen with fresh, whole foods like beans, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts
and seeds.
Posture Tip
Focus on stretching your hamstrings and hip muscles.
Posture Tip
Practice deep breathing
to exercise your rib cage.
Posture Tip
Sit in a supportive chair that has a large backrest with adjustable height, lumbar support and a soft, contoured seat.
Posture Tip
If your chair doesn’t have built-in lumbar support, use a specially designed lumbar cushion or a
rolled-up towel.
Posture Tip
Use a sit-stand desk to
get a mixture of both throughout the day.
Posture Tip
Keep your head over your neck by aligning your ears with your shoulders.
Posture Tip
Adjust your seat heat or monitor height so you’re looking straight ahead.
Coping Tip
Take a hot shower to
help alleviate pain and stiffness.
Focus on sleep by using
a supportive neck pillow
or a pillow between
your legs.
Coping Tip
Coping Tip
Wear comfortable shoes with a cushioned base and support near your ankle.
Coping Tip
Limit your alcohol consumption.
Coping Tip
Consider joining an AS support group.
Coping Tip
Try yoga, Pilates or massage therapy to help your mental health.
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