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Spondylitis & Exercise

Spondylitis is a progressive disease of inflammation that adversely affects the spine, lower back and hips. Over time, the posture of individuals afflicted with spondylitis declines, eventually leaving their bodies contorted into a hunchback position, the only one which does not leave them in pain. While curing spondylitis through exercise is impossible, regular exercise can reduce the severity and progression of your symptoms.

  1. Spondylitis

    • While science is unsure exactly what triggers a case of spondylitis, genetics and age both seem to play a role. Having a family history of spondylitis can increase your likelihood of being afflicted. Spondylitis seems to mainly strike individuals between the ages of 20 and 40, although cases of younger patients have been reported in some instances. Gender also plays a minor role, as males are affected more frequently than females.

    Spondylitis and Exercise

    • According to the Spondylitis Association of America, regular exercise is an important component to living effectively with spondylitis. The Spondylitis Association of America states that making time for regular training can ensure maintenance of flexibility and good posture in addition to relieving pain. As little as five to ten minutes of training can help reduce symptoms, but more is obviously better for optimal results.

    Exercise Recommendations

    • According to the experts at SpineHealth.com, the best forms of exercise for individuals with spondylitis are moderate-intensity activities that do not excessively tax the joints. Nonweight-bearing exercises performed slowly through a full range of motion are useful for retaining and enhancing flexibility. Sample kinds of exercise include tai chi, yoga, or swimming.

    Tailoring Training to Your Condition

    • To ensure optimal training results, you will have to work with your condition to reach a healthy medium. The Spondylitis Association of America recommends that, where possible, you should schedule your exercises during a period when your symptoms are not going to interfere with your training. For example, if your body is excessively stiff in the morning, do not force the issue by trying to train through it; wait for a time when your condition abates to a more-manageable level.

    Considerations

    • Also note that, while you will not see optimal progress from performing only five to ten minutes a day of exercise, so too will you fail to see optimal progress if you overwork your body. The Spondylitis Association of America recommends that you seek a balance between intensity and duration to find a proper level of exercise that will benefit you as an individual. While this may take some trial and error, you might want to start with the general guideline of never forcing your body to the point of excessive fatigue or pain. Work within your limits and over time they will naturally expand.

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