Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group If I commit myself to lifetime of good habits.....

If I commit myself to lifetime of good habits, could I potentially maintain an upright posture despite almost certain fusion? For example, if I am taking my medication, exercising and ensuring that I maintain good posture at all times, to what degree would this generally help?

I'm just wondering how AS affects your spine and posture over time? Are the degenerative effects and physical deformities independent of all of these therapies? In other words, if I were to exercise every single day and do absolutely everything 'right' in order to manage this disease (according to conventional wisdom), how much of an impact would that play in preventing bad deformities?

I have instilled a very strict, disciplined rigid posture when I am sitting down and standing up almost to the point where it is natural for me to sit as upright as possible and walk with my head up. Will it become harder for me to maintain this over time or is this going to help me in the future?

Thanks in advance for any answers. I have always found fusion and posture a really ambiguous question and if there is any advice out there that would be great!

If you get diagnosed early on in life and do regular exercises, mobility drills, and stretches then it should be possible to maintain good posture and prevent deformity regardless of disease activity. Things like kyphosis (monty burns posture) happen gradually over time and are preventable with proper exercises.

some studies on AS and exercise
- http://www.springerlink.com/content/7cegkbfqfn3q8m5e/
- http://journals.lww.com/ajpmr/Abstract/2...ement_of.3.aspx
- http://www.springerlink.com/content/f23j704361311732/

The last study found that mobility improvements lasted for over a year after completing an intensive rehabilitation course so imagine what could be achieved with regular daily exercises. "We conclude that it is possible by means of intensive rehabilitation courses to prevent for more than one year deterioration of spinal function and fitness in AS patients irrespective of disease duration".

i've heard several people say that due to good posture, etc, they were able to fuse straight. so it is possible. if i were young with AS and thought i could help keep straight, i'd do the alexander technique.

From personal experience... the answer is YES. My PT said my back fused nearly straight. I never did exercises, merely had a habit of sitting up straight. Perhaps I was lucky, but slumping didn't make my back feel any better, so I didn't cope by slumping. There is slight twist at one level of vertebrae in my neck, perhaps from sleeping on my side for many years, but nothing you can see if you're not a PT or a chiropractor who is specifically looking for flaws.

Generally, I would say that good posture, diet, and exercise will keep you straight. A few cases are so virulent that the victims can't do anything about the fusing, which can happen in a few short years.

I don't have spinal deformity as far as I know, in spite of a lot of active inflammation and pain, because like you, I've always attempted to keep a good posture. I think another thing that has seriously helped me is that although I never was one for hard physical exercise, I always did enormous amounts of walking with a bit of cycling and swimming - perfect low impact stuff that kept me flexible right through till I was 50. Plus eating a really healthy diet almost all of my life with as few factory processed foods as possible.

I sleep on my side and fused bent. I don't think any other factor was as significant in how I fused. ICKY (Ray) used to post often the fused straight but always said the slept flat on his back with thin pillow

Based on the overall opinion, it's fair to say that I have every chance of fusing straight if I'm disciplined and consistent? I know some things are clearly out of our control and fusing may well be one of them, but if there is that chance then I think it's time I should prioritize these good habits.

Thanks for the opinions and insight.

I can assure you from my experience very vigorous exercise (mostly yoga) and daily attention have prevented fusion. My brother got on the exercise bandwagon late and his neck is fused.

Although I still battle a lot of pain i still make sure my spine flexes daily.

I concur that good exercise habits will help, but mostly i found that positions in which I am lying on the floor on my stomach and arching my back have helped the most...to keep me straight and to reduce my pain. Both raising the chest up and raising the legs back are helpful, while lying on your stomach. Lets face it, we live in a society where we sit and bend forward and lean forward all day, so doing the reverse postures is what I find the be best.

good luck, you can do it!