Arthritis Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing Spondylitis Guide Ankylosing Spondylitis Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping How Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Treated Lifestyle Changes, Physical Therapy, NSAIDs, and More By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 27, 2022 Medically reviewed by Riteesha G. Reddy, MD Medically reviewed by Riteesha G. Reddy, MD Riteesha G. Reddy, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist at a private practice in Dallas, Texas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Lifestyle Changes Physical Therapy Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies Prescriptions Surgery Complementary/Alternative Medicine Frequently Asked Questions Next in Ankylosing Spondylitis Guide Living Well With Ankylosing Spondylitis While there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a treatment regimen that consists of physical therapy and medication can effectively ease a person's symptoms of joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, and also improve everyday functioning. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) created guidelines for treating ankylosing spondylitis that were meant to help healthcare providers optimize the care of their patients with AS in a systematic way, based on research studies. As a person with AS (or as someone with a friend or family member who has AS), knowledge about treatment guidelines will help you navigate this complex and chronic disease more confidently. Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell Lifestyle Changes Quitting smoking is an essential component for improving symptoms from ankylosing spondylitis. Evidence suggests that smoking may exacerbate disease symptoms. Exercise is also an important part of treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. Daily exercise can help decrease symptoms and increase your mobility, flexibility, and strength. Practicing good posture may also help prevent long-term complications. Your healthcare provider can help you develop an exercise plan that is safe and effective for you. 10 Exercises for AS Physical Therapy In addition to medication, the American College of Rheumatology recommends physical therapy for people with active AS (meaning those who have symptoms of inflammation like joint pain and stiffness). A number of studies have found physical therapy to be beneficial in reducing pain and improving spinal mobility, posture, flexibility, physical functioning, and well-being. The good news is there is little harm associated with physical therapy. Also, a person can engage in exercises and stretches at home or within a group setting. However, research does suggest that supervised group physical therapy may be more beneficial than home exercises. What may be even more appealing (and luxurious) for those with AS is a type of therapy called spa-exercise therapy. This type of therapy includes exercising in warm water, undergoing a massage from hydrotherapy jets, and relaxing in a steamy sauna. In fact, research has found that spa-exercise therapy combined with group physical therapy is better than group physical therapy alone. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) Therapy The mainstay treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) therapy. NSAIDs have been around a long time and are very effective at reducing inflammation in the body. They work by blocking enzymes called cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX enzymes). By blocking these enzymes, prostaglandin levels are reduced in the body. Since prostaglandins play a key role in inflammation, by reducing them, symptoms of inflammation like pain and swelling are minimized. However, NSAIDs aren't a viable treatment for all. NSAIDs cannot be taken by everyone due to their potential for harm. It's important to only take an NSAID under the guidance of your healthcare provider. For instance, one well-known potential harm of NSAID therapy is that it may cause stomach damage, ulcers, and bleeding. NSAIDs can also increase your risk of heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. They may also raise a person's blood pressure and cause or worsen kidney problems. In addition to these potential harms, NSAIDs may interact with your other medications. This is why it is important to tell and ask your healthcare provider about all of the medications you are taking, including herbals, vitamins, or supplements. Ankylosing Spondylitis Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. There are a number of different NSAIDs available to treat AS, including both over-the-counter NSAIDs and prescription NSAIDs. Examples include: over-the-counter NSAIDs: Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)prescription NSAIDs: Voltaren (diclofenac), Mobic (meloxicam), or Indocin (indomethacin) Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen are also available by prescription at a higher strength. Another type of NSAID commonly prescribed to treat AS is Celebrex (celecoxib), which is designed to limit stomach and intestinal problems. Prescriptions Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors (TNFi) If a person with AS cannot take an NSAID, or if their symptoms like pain and stiffness are not improved with NSAID therapy, a TNF blocker is usually recommended. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a protein involved in the inflammatory process, so by inhibiting its production, inflammation in the body is reduced. The good news about TNF blockers is there is ample scientific evidence to support their benefit in reducing disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis—in other words, quieting the inflammation down in the body. TNF blockers are not completely benign therapies. They do have risks, and this must be weighed carefully for each person. Due to the fact that TNF blockers suppress a person's immune system (albeit an overactive one in the cases of those with ankylosing spondylitis), they can increase a person's risk of both mild infection and serious infection. An example of a mild infection is a common cold. On the other hand, a serious infection that healthcare providers especially worry about when a person is taking a TNF inhibitor is tuberculosis. Due to the risk of tuberculosis reactivation, a TB test is required before initiating TNF blocker therapy. Rarely, TNF blockers have been linked to an increased chance of developing certain cancers. It's also important to know that certain people are not candidates for taking TNF blockers. Conditions that would prevent a person from being able to take TNF blockers would be considered contraindications. Contraindications for TNF Blockers Multiple sclerosisHeart failureAn active infection like pneumonia Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not be candidates for TNF blocker therapy. According to current medical guidelines, a person should only be considered for a TNF blocker if their disease does not improve with at least two different types of NSAIDs (at a maximum dose tolerated). The TNF blockers used to treat ankylosing spondylitis are: Enbrel(etanercept)Remicade and Renflexis (infliximab)Humira (adalimumab)Simponi (golimumab)Cimzia (certolizumab) Remicade, Inflectra, and Renflexis (infliximab) are given as an infusion through the vein, while Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), Simponi (golimumab), and Cimzia (certolizumab) are given as subcutaneous (into the fat tissue) injections. Cosentyx (Secukinumab) If a person does not respond well to a TNFi, their healthcare provider may consider Cosentyx (secukinumab). Cosentyx was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat active ankylosing spondylitis. It works by blocking IL-17A, which is a proinflammatory cytokine (a molecular messenger that induces an inflammatory response in the body). IL-17A is known to play a major role in the development of AS. Cosentyx is given subcutaneously once a week for four weeks, and then every four weeks thereafter. Research suggests that it's well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effect being cold symptoms, like a runny nose and sore throat. Research is still evolving on Cosentyx. Nonetheless, it's exciting there is now an option for people whose disease continues to worsen on a TNF inhibitor or who cannot take a TNF inhibitor. Surgery In rare instances, surgery is needed to treat ankylosing spondylitis. This is usually reserved for people with severe hip joint damage and pain. In these instances, a total hip replacement is often recommended over no surgery at all. Riskier surgeries like those involving the spine are much less common and performed when there is severe downward curving of the spine ("hunchback posture"). Complementary/Alternative Medicine Some people choose to pursue alternative methods in addressing their AS as well. These methods have not been through the rigorous studies necessary for drug approval. However, some people with AS have reported benefits from the following: chiropractic treatmentacupunctureyogamassage therapytranscutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) It is important to note that the effectiveness of these therapies has not been established. Chiropractic treatment, in particular, is a concern of mainstream healthcare providers, who worry that it might lead to complications such as spinal fractures. Frequently Asked Questions What kind of healthcare provider treats ankylosing spondylitis? A rheumatologist, a type of practitioner who specializes in joint and musculoskeletal conditions, treats AS. Your primary care doctor may refer you to one, but if they do not, look for one who is experienced at treating patients with AS. You may also see other health care practitioners, such as a physical therapist or ophthalmologist, to manage specific aspects of AS. Can diet help ankylosing spondylitis? Possibly. Although diet has not been extensively studied as a treatment for AS, an anti-inflammatory diet high in omega-3s has been shown to be beneficial for other inflammatory conditions. Omega-3 supplements may also provide some benefits. What drugs are available to treat ankylosing spondylitis? Your healthcare provider may suggest a number of medications to treat AS after evaluating your condition:NSAIDs are the most common first treatment option.DMARDs may help control inflammation (though evidence is currently lacking that they reduce symptoms or slow the progression of AS).Corticosteroids can help relieve acute pain and inflammation, but aren’t a good long-term option.Biologics, which can reduce pain and inflammation and slow disease progression, are the newest class of drugs used to treat AS. Living Well With Ankylosing Spondylitis 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ward MM, Deodhar A, Akl EA, et al. American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network 2015 Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016;68(2):282-98. doi:10.1002/art.39298 Kaut IK, Abourazzak FE, Jamila E, et al. Axial spondyloarthritis and cigarette smoking. Open Rheumatol J. 2017;11:53-61. doi:10.2174/1874312901711010053 Dagfinrud H, Kvien TK, Hagen KB. Physiotherapy interventions for ankylosing spondylitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD002822. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002822.pub2 Crofford LJ. Use of NSAIDs in treating patients with arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15 Suppl 3:S2. doi:10.1186/ar4174 Callhoff J, Sieper J, Weiß A, et al. Efficacy of TNFα blockers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: a meta-analysis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(6):1241-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205322 van der Heijde D, Sieper J, Maksymowych WP, et al. 2010 Update of the international ASAS recommendations for the use of anti-TNF agents in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2011;70(6):905-8. doi:10.1136/ard.2011.151563 Blair Ha, Dhillon S. Secukinumab: A review in ankylosing spondylitis. Drugs. 2016 Jul;76(10):1023-30. doi:10.1007/s40265-016-0598-8 Complementary Treatments. Spondylitis Association of America. By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit