Disc - Hi, welcome. Just a briefie at the moment as I must leave soon for my 7 hr train trip to go for my rheumy appt.
Stretching is the best way possible to deal with the chest constriction. There are very 'specific' exercises that noe can do. Check out the NASS site: National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (UK) and SAA, Spondylitis Association America. They both carry stretching exercises that you can follow. Other than that. Ask your rheumy to advise you of a phyaio T, who is conversant 'with' AS. It is also possible that you may find a hospital near to you that holds AS/RA exercise classes. But, the chest expansion exercises are crucial to keeping those chest walls as expanded as possible - without them and good breathing one ocld end up with COPD and other lung problems.
You might also find that you can goodle up exercises varous. Don't have time at this moment to check out and by the time I return this thread might have disappeared...
Wish you well - and, don't worry about it and don't try to overstretch. Pain and 'no gain' aint what spondy exercises and stretching is about. *Never go over the pain threshold and *Never try tp push the body. Can end up hurting yourself.
Go well - OK. Gotta run ---->> ---->>
