Mission Personal Injury Medical Clinic, PA
Posture

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Improve Your Posture With These Tips

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes changes in posture that occur over time. Can exercise and maintaining spinal alignment help improve posture problems?

Ankylosing Spondylitis Posture Improvement

Ankylosing spondylitis/AS is an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It can also spread to other joints of the body and affect the internal organs. Back pain problems are a common side effect of the condition and depending on the severity of damage to the spine, it can have a serious impact on posture.

Affects Posture

The condition usually first affects the sacroiliac joints at the bottom of the spine where they attach to the pelvis. As the condition progresses it works its way to the upper spine. The spine consists of 26 vertebrae/bones stacked on top of each other.

  • Ankylosing spondylitis can cause the bones to fuse together. (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023)
  • The condition causes kyphotic deformity – rounding of the upper back, and the lower back flattening.
  • As the disease progresses, the spine becomes immobilized in a stooped-over position and causes significant difficulty with daily tasks.
  • A stooped posture can place pressure on the internal organs and lead to breathing difficulties.
  • The condition leads to balance problems which increase the risk of falls. (Alessandro Marco De Nunzio, et al., 2015)

Posture Improvement Tips

Standing and Walking

When standing or walking try to remember to:

  • Maintain a straight spine.
  • Line up the ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles in a straight line.
  • Squeeze the shoulder blades together and down toward the back pockets.
  • Relax the arms at the sides.
  • Look straight ahead.
  • Tuck the chin back slightly.

Sitting

The natural curves of the spine need support for proper posture when sitting. Try these tips when at a desk or at a table:

  • Position the height of the chair so the hips and knees are bent at 90-degree angles.
  • Place the feet flat on the floor or use a footstool based on chair height.
  • Place a lumbar support pillow or rolled-up towel behind the lower back.
  • Position the screen monitor at eye level to keep the upper back straight.
  • Keep the keyboard and mouse close to the body to prevent overreaching which can increase the rounding of the shoulders and upper back.

Lying Down

Ankylosing spondylitis can make lying down uncomfortable. To support the spine while lying down try to:

  • Sleep on a semi-firm mattress or type like memory foam to conform to the body.
  • Place a pillow between the knees to maintain a straight spine when lying on the side.
  • Use a specialized pillow to prevent placing the upper back in a rounded position.

Posture Exercises

For individuals with ankylosing spondylitis stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve body posture. Individuals are recommended to talk to their healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.

Chin Tucks

  • Sit up straight.
  • Squeeze the shoulder blades together.
  • Rest the arms at your sides.
  • Look straight ahead, pull the chin back and in until the stretch is felt along the muscles of the neck.
  • Hold for three to five seconds and relax.
  • Repeat 10 times.

Corner Stretch

  • Stand facing a corner.
  • Raise the arms to shoulder height.
  • Place one forearm flat against each wall.
  • Stagger the feet.
  • Slowly shift weight over the front leg and lean in toward the corner.
  • Stop once the stretch is felt across the chest.
  • Hold for 10 to 20 seconds and relax.
  • Repeat three times.

Scapular Squeezes

  • Sit up straight with arms resting at the sides.
  • Squeeze the shoulder blades together like they are holding an object between them.
  • Hold for three seconds and relax.
  • Repeat 10 times.

Maintaining spinal alignment will help decrease back pain that occurs with AS.

  • Targeted exercises can help stretch tight muscles and strengthen the muscles responsible for maintaining spinal alignment.
  • Maintaining healthy posture when sitting, standing, and sleeping can help prevent deformities in the spine.
  • Regular physical activity can help combat stiffness and help maintain overall strength.

For an individualized exercise program, see a physical therapist or chiropractor on incorporating posture exercises to help prevent complications from developing.


Arthritis


References

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis.

De Nunzio, A. M., Iervolino, S., Zincarelli, C., Di Gioia, L., Rengo, G., Multari, V., Peluso, R., Di Minno, M. N., & Pappone, N. (2015). Ankylosing spondylitis and posture control: the role of visual input. BioMed research international, 2015, 948674. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/948674

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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Ankylosing Spondylitis: Improve Your Posture With These Tips" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.

Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include  Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN

Email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
DC & FNP License (Review Above)
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805

Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)
(Licensed Medical Doctor)
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933

 

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MD: Medical Doctor
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
FNP-BC: Family Practice Across Life Span (Neonatal to Geriatrics)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
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MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
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IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics

Family with Primary Care Focus (Family Nurse Practitioner or FNP)

  • The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) promotes, maintains, and restores health for individuals and families across the lifespan. FNPs also identify health risks, promote wellness, and diagnose and manage acute and chronic illness.
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TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
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No 111N00000X - Chiropractor NM DC2182
Yes 111N00000X - Chiropractor TX DC5807
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family TX 1191402
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family FL 11043890
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family CO C-APN.0105610-C-NP
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family NY N25929
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family NM

90560

Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family GA GAA-NP005701

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
(Board Certified: Family Practice Nurse Practitioner—Multistate)*
(Primary Care Across Lifespan—Neonatal / Pediatric / Adult / Geriatrics)
(Licensed Nurse Practitioner & Chiropractor - Multistate)*
Clinical Director
Digital Business Card
NPI: 1205907805

Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified: Internal Medicine)*
(Licensed Medical Doctor)*
Medical Director, Clinical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426748
MD License #: J2933

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Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

Welcome to our El Paso Back Clinic's multidisciplinary blog, Bienvenidos. We focus on treating severe spinal disabilities and injuries. We also treat complex personal injuries, sciatica, neck and back pain, whiplash, headaches, knee injuries, sports injuries, dizziness, poor sleep, and arthritis. We use proven advanced therapies that aim to improve movement, posture, overall health, and fitness, as well as treat long-term health issues and body structure. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols, Functional Medicine programs for acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans," Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Our rehabilitation facilities offer physical therapy programs and protocols to triage, assess, diagnose, and treat complex clinical injuries and assist in the progressive healing processes. We offer advanced telemedicine to provide all our family practice and injured patients with clinical convenience, including medication distribution, medication drop shipping, durable medical equipment deliveries, medically integrated wearables, and home-based diagnostic assessment tools. Our live, up-to-date "Telemedicine Integrations" allow us to offer interactive and direct ways to monitor, assess, and adjust to our patients' clinical presentations and final recovery outcomes. Ultimately, we are here to serve our patients and community as premier Chiropractors, Family Practice Nurse Practitioners and medical providers passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility and true restored health. Blessings/Bendiciones! Connect! Call Today: 915-850-0900

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