Everyday Tips For Ankylosing Spondylitis

If you are suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), then you are well aware just how grave a problem it is. Even simple everyday tasks can become almost impossible to accomplish. The chronic pain and stiffness can take a heavy toll on even the most resolute and determined amongst us.

However, there is no need for despair. With the help of some simple tips and guidelines, you will be able to maintain a moderately active live. More importantly, you will be able to manage the uncomfortable symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis and slow down the process of inflammation.

Ankylosing Spondylitis – what to do

1. Eat a healthy diet: Try to include plenty of fresh fruits, green vegetables and lean meat in your diet. This will help reduce the extent of the autoimmune inflammation and decrease pain. Eating properly and avoiding junk food is essential in maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn will keep you safe from obesity and its associated complications.

2. Maintain proper posture: People with AS tend to have great difficulty in standing straight. In order to reduce the pain, they may even adopt a slouching posture. This is actually a harmful posture to adopt. The more you slouch, the more stress your spine experiences. Thus, train yourself to sit and stand straight as much as possible to reduce strain on the spine and avoid general discomfort. 

3. Get massage: Careful massage on your back may help reduce the pain sensation temporarily. Massage increases blood circulation around the spine and allows the back muscles to relax. Make sure you get massage from a trained masseur and remember to inform him that you are suffering from AS. This will help the masseur calibrate the massage session to suit your needs. 

4. Follow your doctor’s instruction: AS is the result of an adverse autoimmune reaction, due to which your immune system starts to attack healthy tissue. In such a grave situation, you need to follow your doctor’s advice. Take the prescribed medicines on time. If you have been suggested some kind of physiotherapy, then start taking them without any delay. 

5. Be patient: No medication in the world has an instant effect. Moreover, the same medicine works slightly differently for different people. So you must exercise patience with your medication regimen. Treat medicines as a way of helping yourself become healthy again and not a boring chore. This way, you won’t feel the need to seek instant results and thus avoid unnecessary stress. 

What to avoid

1. Don’t take too much rest: The pain and stiffness may at times force you to take rest. While you do need to take rest, you must also make sure that you don’t become a couch potato. Try to get moderate exercise at least thrice a week. Take up exercises which increase strength and flexibility of your back and neck. Avoid doing exercise near bed time as it may disturb your sleep rhythm. 

2. Stay away from alcohol: Drinking alcohol may help to reduce the pain sensation for a few hours. But alcohol is known to interfere with AS medication. This can slow down the recovery process and can lead to unseemly complications. 

3. Avoid gaining weight: Watch how much and at what time you eat. Try to avoid gaining weight as this will add more stress on your spine and worsen pain sensation.

4. Refrain from fad diets: There are many articles and books on ‘Diet for Arthritis’ which declare that they will help you manage pain and stiffness. Many of these are not effective and some can actually make AS worse. So try to stay clear of such exotic diets. 

5. Cut down on red meat: Try not to eat red meat more than twice a week. This will help keep your weight in check. Moreover, eating red meat regularly is known to increase the intensity of inflammation. As a substitute, you can try eating oily fish like sardines and anchovies. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce inflammation.            

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid
Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

Note: Through the synergistic combination of Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy, Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution aims to eradicate joint pain, counter the process of degeneration and promote bone health. The protocol is at once scientific, effective as well as safe. To avail treatment at Zilaxo, call on 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

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