Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, progressive, arthropathy with mesial joint involvement, mainly affecting the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis, spinal joints and paravertebral tissues, with spinal ankylosis later in the course of the disease, rendering the patient incapacitated. For ankylosing spondylitis, attention to the details of daily life and active, reasonable physical exercise can be of great help in relieving the disease.
1. General rules
Maintain proper posture at work, rest and sleep; avoid overexertion and overweight; avoid smoking; maintain an optimistic attitude.
2 .Sitting posture
When sitting, pay attention to put a pillow behind the back, the chair must have a flat and solid surface; avoid sitting too long, especially on a low soft sofa or tilt backrest; a table with an inclined plane helps to maintain a vertical posture when reading.
3, walking
Use as large a pace as possible to prevent limiting hip extension; use shoes with elastic heels rather than by bending the knees to bear the shock of walking on hard surfaces.
4. Sleep
Use a firm and flat bed to maintain a good sleeping posture at night; use a good quality mattress with a firm frame; try to develop the habit of lying on your back to avoid hip and back bending; sleep and get up early before a moderate amount of time lying prone; avoid using pillows if possible, or only use a pillow that does not exceed the thickness of the horizontal position of the face; avoid using padded pillows or pillows that are more than below the shoulders, because it will force the thorax to be in a bent posture; avoid placing pillows under the knees, because it will increase the tendency of muscle and tendon shortening.
5. Work
Check your posture at work, and if necessary, improve the working environment to maintain good posture; avoid prolonged bending or flexion and physical activity that strains the back and neck; arrange work so that sitting, standing and walking alternately; work with excessive bending, rotation, stretching or body vibration is not suitable for SpA patients.
6 , exercise
Daily exercise is an important part of the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis; regular muscle strength and mobility exercises recommended by the doctor; day often intermittent deep breathing, especially chest breathing; the use of mechanical exercise back, legs and shoulders stretching help, but to avoid excessive pressure on the neck; if the disease relapses and joint pain and stiffness, range of motion exercise must not lead to pain.
7, Sports and recreational activities
Physical activity plays an important role for people with ankylosing spondylitis; physical activity is the most effective way to get physical training, stabilize blood pressure and heart rate, and improve lung function; which sports are appropriate depends on your disease status and whether you are well-trained; sports that stretch and rotate the trunk are recommended; sports that require prolonged spinal flexion (e.g., golf, bowling, long-distance riding) are not recommended; sports with greater potential for injury (e.g., golf, bowling, long-distance riding) are not recommended. Sports with greater potential for injury (e.g., boxing, soccer, etc.) and ski sliding; lung capacity can be increased through singing and wind instrument practice to master proper breathing techniques; transverse flute and violin are not recommended due to unfavorable neck posture; sports that maintain an upright posture and stretch the trunk (Nordic walking, hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing, tennis, badminton, archery, volleyball) are especially recommended.
8. Prevention of osteoporosis-related
Ankylosing spondylitis is often associated with osteoporosis, so a balanced diet of calcium and adequate vitamin D (sunshine, fish, vitamin D supplements if necessary) through food intake can help prevent osteoporosis.
9 , driving
If you have limited neck movement, special wide-angle mirrors to match the car are helpful; use seat belts and head protection, stiff neck may be more susceptible to injury; car gaps lead to uncomfortable sitting position, placing a small cushion behind may help; stop after one or two hours of driving, get out of the car to stretch your back and walk around for a few minutes; carry an emergency information card to alert emergency personnel of your Diagnosis and special needs related to body positioning, transport and intubation.
10. Fall prevention
Wear non-slip shoes; in winter when there is snow, shoes with folded spikes help prevent slips; use grip handrails/rails when going down stairs; showers are safer than bathtubs; when you must use a bathtub, use a bath board/bath mat to prevent slips and install appropriate grip handles; avoid slippery floors and loose carpets; use floor lamps for lighting at night.