man lifting dumbell by wheelchair
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  • The spine can be limited in mobility due to ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Exercise can help you keep moving and reduce the pain you experience from AS.
  • A number of seated workouts can help you stay active.

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 do.

Exercise can help keep a range of motion, lengthen 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.
  • The range of movement.
  • muscle strength
  • The lung capacity is small.
  • Core strengthening
  • bone health

Better overall well-being can be achieved by participating in a fitness program.

Modifications of yoga, tai chi, and gentle stretching are some of the fitness activities that can be done.

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

woman performing body rotation in chair

This can help stretch your back.

  1. Place your feet in a straight line.
  2. Sit straight up.
  3. Lift your arms and legs. You can make a square with your arms by grasping your elbow with the opposite hand.
  4. Lift your arms up so they are the same height as your shoulders.
  5. You should look to your side when you turn at your waist.
  6. Return to the center.
  7. On the other side, repeat.

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

  1. Place your hands on your shoulders.
  2. Point your arms out to the side so they form a triangle.
  3. Straighten your upper back.
  4. Slowly move your elbow in a circular motion, then forward and backward.
  5. As you move your elbow, breathe deeply and keep your upper back straight.

  1. Sit straight up.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Slowly turn your head to the left.
  4. Return to the center.
  5. Slowly turn your head to the right.
  6. Return to the center.
  7. Continue.

  1. Sit straight up.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Keeping your shoulders in place, bend your head back.
  4. Return to the center.
  5. Take a moment and bend your head forward.
  6. Return to the center.
  7. Continue.

  1. Sit straight up.
  2. Face forward.
  3. Keeping your shoulders square, bend your ear toward your shoulder.
  4. Return to the center.
  5. Keeping your shoulders square, bend your left ear toward your left shoulder.
  6. Return to the center.
  7. Continue.

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 on the floor.
  2. Sit straight up.
  3. You should put your hands behind your head.
  4. Keep your shoulders out of the way.
  5. Roll your shoulders over the top of the chair back.
  6. Hold for a short time.
  7. Return to the center.
  8. Continue.

These can help strengthen your shoulders and arms.

  1. Place your hands in your lap.
  2. A light weight of less than 1 lbs can be held. You can do this exercise without a weight.
  3. Hold your arms out in front of you and raise the weight to shoulder level.
  4. Slowly bring your arms down.
  5. Continue.

These raises can help your shoulder and chest muscles.

  1. The weight can be held in each hand. You can do this without weights.
  2. You can stretch your arms out to your sides.
  3. Lift your arms slowly, until you have your arms at the right angle.
  4. Slowly bring your arms down.
  5. Continue.

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.