Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic and crippling form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine, pelvis, and sacroiliac joints. Because it’s an inflammatory condition in which bones fuse together (hence ‘ankylos,’ meaning joined or fused). Because of this patients with AS can suffer from intense back pain during flare-ups. Ankylosing spondylitis is affecting around one in every 200 people. Besides talking about Ayurvedic treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis we need to look at the preventive aspect.

If you’re a sufferer of any form of arthritis, you know that flare-ups are inevitable from time to time. Some episodes last for days or weeks on end—and can be frustrating and exhausting. But what many don’t realize is that when the pain has subsided, your healthcare provider may still suggest practicing certain things in moderation after an AS flare-up. This not only helps to prevent recurrence but also to make sure the disease isn’t taking its toll on your body. Here we’ve compiled a list of 10 things you should never do with ankylosing spondylitis:

Don’t Sleep on a Pillow in AS

While it’s great to be able to rest and relax, avoid the urge to sleep on your stomach while having AS. If you’re prone to flare-ups in your lower back or middle spine area (lumbar region), sleeping on your side is recommended instead. That way, your spine stays aligned correctly when you’re resting. See: Sleeping With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Don’t Smoke with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Smoking not only increases inflammation but also slows down healing time after an AS flare-up. While doctors may not advise their patients directly about smoking. But in Ankylosing spondylitis, this is common sense. Smoking is not just bad for your heart but you could be damaging bones and joints, too.

Don’t Overstrain Yourself Physically: it worsens AS

As much as it is to prevent flare-ups in the first place. It’s important to take proper care of yourself after an attack passes. Being extra physical activity or lifting heavy items when you don’t have enough muscles (because they’re atrophied) can cause even further damage to the joint/s. The joints in Ankylosing spondylitis, which are already inflamed and painful. Be patient, as sufferers of AS know well that sometimes the body needs time to recover first. After recovery wait to build strength afterward!

Don’t Do Cardio Exercise: It complicates AS

It’s important not to overdo it with any form of exercise when you have Ankylosing Spondylitis. But especially cardio exercises that involve a lot of jumping and running (especially on the treadmill). Instead, stick to low-impact aerobic activities such as walking or swimming. Exercising too much can cause vascular inflammation in your body and aggravate already inflamed joints.

Don’t Use A Washing Machine, Iron, Or Hose

One of the main signs you should immediately look for after an AS flare-up – limited mobility and flexibility of your joints. It’s also a good idea to avoid any kind of machinery or equipment that you’d normally use at home when you have an attack. Try to opt for lighter chores around the house. Instead—remember, it could last anywhere from days to weeks depending on how severe it is!

Don’t Sit For Too Long In One Position

If you work in an office and spend most of your day doing deskwork (or sitting), you could be doing yourself a disservice if you’re prone to AS attacks in the lower spine or lumbar region. Try to stand up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so, even if it’s just going over to the water cooler (which is much healthier than soda or coffee!) See: Sitting And Ankylosing Spondylitis

Don’t Work Out In The Sun Too Much with Ankylosing Spondylitis

We all know how important it is to get some sunlight on our skin—especially when we’re feeling run-down or pale due to an AS flare-up. However, make sure that any exercise you do outside stays away from direct sunlight and heat as possible. Doing such activities can increase your pain levels if your muscles are already inflamed—and you definitely don’t want to be feeling even worse than when you started! See: Ankylosing Spondylitis And The Sun

Don’t Use A Bad Mattress

When going through a flare-up, it’s best not too sleep on any mattress that isn’t of the very highest quality. This is especially important if your AS attacks tend to occur in the lumbar region and lower spine, as soft mattresses can further exacerbate pain due to pressure points or lack of support. Instead, invest in an orthopedic one that will provide proper support for areas such as shoulders and hips while you’re sleeping or resting during an attack. See: How To Sleep With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Don’t Use Stress As A Pain-Reliever: it provokes AS

No matter what kind of pain you’re in. It’s not good to use stress or anxiety as a way of relieving your symptoms or getting through the day. These emotions only work to exacerbate inflammation and increase muscle tension—both of which can cause further injury! Try deep breathing exercises instead when feeling anxious (and perhaps talking to a therapist if it becomes too much). See: Do Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis Get Anxiety?

Don’t Take Steroids Or NSAIDs More Than Necessary

If there’s one thing you should never do when suffering from any form of arthritis or inflammation-induced pain, it’s using powerful medications such as steroids—and this includes NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Such drugs help to reduce pain by reducing inflammation, but unfortunately, they also cause further pain and damage themselves. If you’ve been prescribed these for any reason whatsoever (even if you have AS), ask your doctor about alternatives that can mitigate your AS symptoms instead.

While it’s important not to become paranoid about everyday activities and routines—after all, there’s no harm in doing anything that doesn’t aggravate your condition!—it’s definitely worthwhile educating yourself on what might be causing more damage than good during an attack. After all, the possibilities are pretty much endless when it comes to situations in which someone suffering from AS could end up with further health problems.

Consult with Vaidya Pardeep Sharma for a solution to your Ankylosing Spondylitis through Ayurvedic Treatment. Ankylosing spondylitis is curable through Ayurvedic treatment.