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  • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can lead to limited mobility of the spine.
  • Exercise can help you keep your range of motion and decrease the pain you experience from AS.
  • A number of seated workouts can help you stay active with AS.

Exercise can be an effective way to manage life with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Regular movement has a number of physical benefits such as increasing strength and reducing pain. Over time, AS can lead to limited mobility of the spine.

If you use a wheelchair, there are many adaptive exercises you can use to stay active.

Exercise can help keep a range of motion, strengthen muscles, and decrease pain and stiffness if you have AS. Maintaining fitness can help you to manage your AS symptoms and flares.

A 2019 review of randomized clinical trials of exercise programs for people with AS found there was evidence exercise helped reduce pain and increase spinal mobility.

Exercise is good for your:

  • posture
  • flexibility
  • range of movement
  • muscle strength
  • lung capacity
  • core strengthening
  • bone health

Participating in a fitness program can also help improve sleep, which contributes to better overall well-being.

Fitness activities can take many forms, including modified forms of yoga, tai chi, and gentle stretching.

A physiotherapist can help you to decide what kind of exercise is right for your body and health. Below are some possibilities from the Spondylitis Association of America that may work for people with AS who use a wheelchair.

What is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist, or physical therapist, is a healthcare professional who can help you improve loss of physical function due to injury or disability using methods such as massage and exercise.

This can help stretch your spine and upper back.

  1. Try to place your feet evenly apart.
  2. Sit up straight with good posture.
  3. Fold your arms and lift your elbows. Alternatively, you can grasp your elbows with the opposite hand to make a square with your arms.
  4. Slowly lift your arms so they’re at the same height as your shoulders.
  5. Slowly turn at your waist about 90 degrees, so you look to your side.
  6. Return to center.
  7. Repeat on the opposite side.

This can help your shoulders and upper back. It can also help to strengthen lung capacity.

  1. Place your hands on your shoulders.
  2. Point your elbows out to the sides, so your arms form a triangle on each side.
  3. Straighten your upper back to create good posture.
  4. Slowly move your elbows in a circular motion, forward for a few rotations, and then backward.
  5. Breathe deeply as you move your elbows, maintaining a straight upper back.
  1. Sit up straight with good posture.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Turn your head slowly to the left.
  4. Return to center.
  5. Turn your head slowly to the right.
  6. Return to center.
  7. Repeat.
  1. Sit up straight with good posture.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Gently bend your head back, keeping your upper back and shoulders in place.
  4. Return to center.
  5. Gently bend your head forward, so your chin meets your chest.
  6. Return to center.
  7. Repeat.
  1. Sit up straight with good posture.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Gently bend your right ear toward your right shoulder, keeping your upper back and shoulders square.
  4. Return to center.
  5. Gently bend your left ear toward your left shoulder, keeping your upper back and shoulders square.
  6. Return to center.
  7. Repeat.

This can help stretch your chest muscles. Talk with a physiotherapist for a modification of this activity if the back of the wheelchair you use is higher than your shoulders.

  1. Place your feet equal width apart, flat on the floor.
  2. Sit up straight with good posture.
  3. Clasp your hands behind your head.
  4. Keep your shoulders out to the side.
  5. With the back of your chair for support, roll your shoulders slowly over the top of the chair back.
  6. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
  7. Return to center.
  8. Repeat.

These can help to strengthen muscles in your shoulders and upper arms.

  1. Place your hands in your lap.
  2. Hold a light weight of 0.5 to 1 lb. Alternatively, you can do this exercise without a weight.
  3. Holding your arms outstretched in front of you, raise the weight to shoulder level.
  4. Slowly bring your arms down.
  5. Repeat.

These raises can also help your chest and shoulder muscles.

  1. Hold a light weight of 0.5 to 1 lb. in each hand. You can also do this exercise without weights.
  2. Stretch your arms out to your sides, with your palms facing down.
  3. Lift your arms up slowly until your arms are at the level of your shoulders.
  4. Slowly bring your arms down.
  5. Repeat.

Exercise is an important part of managing ankylosing spondylitis. People who use wheelchairs have the opportunity to choose and modify activities that help to improve strength, flexibility, and spinal mobility. Working with a physiotherapist, you can find the right exercise program that supports your long-term health and well-being.