Relief from Ankylosing Spondylitis: Support For Your Spine And Mobility

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By: Janett King

Your spine gives you the strength to stand tall, the flexibility to move freely, and the support to chase what matters most. When something interferes with that strength, it's easy to blame stress, poor posture, or everyday wear and tear. But when discomfort lingers, it may signify something deeper that needs your attention.

While low back pain is one of the most common physical complaints, ankylosing spondylitis is a distinct condition with its causes, symptoms, and long-term effects. Spotting the difference could help you take action sooner and protect your ability to move freely.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the spine and pelvis. It may start quietly, showing up as stiffness or lingering pain. Over time, it can change how your spine moves and how your body feels. While it’s not as common as everyday back pain, it’s often mistaken for it. That’s why many people live with symptoms for years before getting answers.

Understanding this condition and catching it early could help you protect your mobility and find new ways to move forward with strength.

Understanding ankylosing spondylitis and your spine

This condition typically starts in the sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis, and often begins with pain or tightness in the lower back or hips. What starts as mild stiffness may evolve into widespread inflammation that travels up the spine. Patients with early ankylosing spondylitis often report experiencing pain and stiffness that awakens them in the early morning hours.

As it progresses, inflammation may spread upward through the spine. As ankylosing spondylitis progresses and spinal mobility decreases, other joints, such as the hips, shoulders, and heels, can become affected due to compensatory movements and altered biomechanics, often leading to painful overuse syndromes. Without consistent support, the vertebrae may begin to fuse in a process called ankylosis. This limits flexibility and can change how your body moves, balances, and holds itself over time.

This condition falls under a broader group of diseases known as axial spondyloarthritis. It often begins in early adulthood and tends to progress slowly. Although the exact cause remains unclear, researchers have identified a strong link to a specific gene called HLA-B27.

Inflammation is part of your body’s healing process, but it may affect healthy tissues when the immune system becomes overactive. In ankylosing spondylitis, this ongoing response can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and structural changes in the spine that may impact how you move and how your body feels each day.

Early and advanced symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

Everyone’s experience with ankylosing spondylitis looks a little different. The symptoms often start subtly and build over time. Early detection can be tricky, especially because the discomfort can mimic typical back pain. But the underlying cause is much more complex.

These signs may not appear all at once and can be easy to overlook early on. But the earlier you recognize them, the more options you have to support your mobility and daily comfort.

• Persistent lower back pain: Unlike typical muscle soreness, the pain from ankylosing spondylitis usually lasts more than three months. It often starts in the lower back and may be felt on both sides.
• Morning stiffness: You may wake up stiff or sore, especially in your spine and hips. This tends to improve with movement, not rest.
• Reduced spinal mobility: As inflammation continues, you might gradually lose flexibility, especially when bending forward or turning your neck.
• Fatigue: Ongoing inflammation may affect how your body restores energy, leaving you feeling worn down even after resting. This fatigue can interfere with focus, movement, and your daily rhythm.
• Discomfort in other areas: The pain may travel upward to your shoulders or down to your thighs, and in some cases, affect the ribcage or heels.
• Generalized pain: Since ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic inflammatory condition, some people experience overall discomfort, low-grade fever, or a loss of appetite.

As the condition progresses, it may begin to impact more areas of your body and create lasting changes in posture and mobility. But with the right support, you can still build strength, protect your joints, and stay active on your terms.

Who is most at risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis tends to develop from genetic, environmental, and immune-related factors that influence how your body responds to inflammation. Understanding these risk factors can help you stay proactive and seek support early if you start noticing changes in your back, joints, or overall movement.

Here are some of the most common influences:

• Genetics: If you carry the HLA-B27 gene, your chance of developing ankylosing spondylitis may be significantly higher. While not everyone with the gene develops ankylosing spondylitis, about 90 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis carry this marker.
• Family history: Your chances of developing ankylosing spondylitis or another inflammatory joint condition may increase if someone in your immediate family has it.
• Age of onset: Most people are diagnosed before the age of 30. Symptoms typically begin in late adolescence or early adulthood.
• Sex: Ankylosing spondylitis affects both men and women, but symptoms may appear differently. Men tend to experience more spinal involvement, while women may notice pain in peripheral joints.
• Gut health and infections: Recurrent intestinal infections may contribute to immune system changes that trigger inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals.

Daily posture and movement patterns are key in handling discomfort and inflammation. While slouching or prolonged sitting won’t cause ankylosing spondylitis, they can increase pressure on sensitive spine areas and make symptoms harder to manage. Supporting alignment with intentional movement may help you feel more balanced and at ease throughout the day.

How chiropractic care may help bring relief from ankylosing spondylitis

If you’re living with ankylosing spondylitis or noticing back pain that feels different from the usual strain or soreness, it’s important to have a care team you trust. Chiropractic care may be one way to support your body, protect your mobility, and stay connected to how you move and feel.

Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are trained to identify patterns in the musculoskeletal system, including those linked to chronic inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis. If your chiropractor sees signs that point to something more complex, they may refer you to your primary care provider or a rheumatologist for additional evaluation through imaging or lab work.

If you have ankylosing spondylitis or think your symptoms may be related, chiropractic care may offer a supportive and personalized approach to managing your mobility and overall well-being.

• Improving joint mobility: Gentle chiropractic adjustments during stable phases may help reduce stiffness and keep surrounding joints moving the way they’re meant to. Healthy movement in the hips, shoulders, and upper back may help relieve tension and prevent further compensation.
• Supporting spinal alignment: Ankylosing spondylitis can affect how your spine holds itself over time. Chiropractic care focuses on helping your body maintain healthy posture, reduce stress on affected areas, and improve spine function.
• Soft tissue therapy: During inflammatory flare-ups, chiropractors may focus on soft tissue therapies to ease muscle tension, promote relaxation, and support comfort without adding pressure to sensitive joints.
• Personalized movement guidance: A chiropractor can help you build a movement plan that fits your body and stage of care. These gentle stretches and exercises may help improve spinal mobility, reduce stiffness, and support more natural posture over time.
• Lifestyle support: Your chiropractor may also offer insight into daily routines that influence inflammation, such as sleep habits, hydration, nutrition, and stress management. These changes may help your body respond more positively to care and reduce flares.

Chiropractic care focuses on giving you practical tools and consistent support so you can take charge of how your body feels, one step at a time. Although chiropractic care may not reverse ankylosing spondylitis, it could help you manage discomfort, support healthy movement, and stay more connected to how your body feels day to day.

Why listening to your body matters

Your body is constantly communicating. When you listen early, you allow yourself to respond with clarity and care. If you're feeling persistent lower back pain that doesn't improve with rest, or your spine seems to be losing flexibility over time, those are signs worth paying attention to.

Blaming discomfort on a long day, a tough workout, or even the aging process is natural. But when that discomfort sticks around, your body may ask for support. Recognizing patterns, even subtle ones, is a powerful way to protect your mobility and feel more confident in your care choices. Understanding what’s going on can help you stay ahead of the discomfort and protect the way you move, feel, and live.

What you can do today to support relief from ankylosing spondylitis

If you’re navigating chronic back pain or know someone who is, start by taking one step toward clarity. Book a visit with a chiropractor and share your full health history. If something seems more complex than usual, your provider can guide you to the right specialists for further support.

In the meantime, here are a few daily habits that may support your spine:

• Prioritize posture: Stay mindful of how you sit, stand, and move throughout the day. Small changes in alignment can ease the strain on your back.
• Keep moving: Gentle movement keeps your joints and tissues flexible. Even light stretching or a short walk can help.
• Breathe deeply: Focused breathing helps relax your nervous system and reduce tension across your shoulders and spine.
• Support your sleep: Use a supportive mattress and a sleep position that aligns your spine. Sleep is when your body does much of its healing.
• Nourish your body: Stay hydrated, eat anti-inflammatory foods, and avoid tobacco. These small shifts can influence how your body manages inflammation.
• Stay consistent: Small actions add up. The more consistent you are with care, posture, movement, and rest, the more support you give your body over time.

Keep your spine strong and keep moving forward

Living with ankylosing spondylitis doesn’t mean giving up the freedom to move or the strength to pursue what matters. With awareness, early support, and consistent care, you can keep your spine healthy, your goals in focus, and your sense of adventure fully alive.

You only get one spine—and it’s built for movement. Taking care of it now can help you stay active and may reduce the discomfort caused by ankylosing spondylitis, so you can keep exploring life with strength and confidence.

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