10 Physiotherapy Strengthening Exercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis

STRENGTHENING EXERCISES: 

1.SUPINE WITH FEET TUCKED UNDER THE RAIL

Float supine with the neck and pelvis supported in floats. Keep the back soft hands in the water.

2.SHOULDER ABDUCTORS, ADDUCTORS AND FLEXORS .

Take straight arms out from the sides of the body to above the head,keeping backs of hands in the water.

3.THORACIC AND SHOULDER EXTENSORS 

Take the arms out to 90 degrees from the body. Hold bats in both hands and take backs of hands straight down towards the bottom of the pool.

4.PRONE ABDOMINALS

Put floats around the feet and hold the rail with both hands and straight.stretch legs straight out behind, allowing the floats to bring the feet up to the surface of the water. Push feet down in the floats to contract the abdominal muscles and then relax. Repeat at least three times.

5.HAMSTRINGS 

Stand straight with back to the wall and arms resting on the rail. Keeping the knees straight, dorsi flex the right and put a float behind the heel. Allow the right foot to float up towards the surface of the water to maximum stretch.Press the heel down into the float a short distance, relax and allow the float to take the heel back up to the surface of the water. Reach down the leg with hands for greater stretch. Repeat to the other side.

6.HIP ADDUCTORS

Start as for the hamstring exercise above. Take the right leg out to the side with toes pointing forwards. Put a float around the right ankle and allow a full passive stretch. Stay in an upright position.Push down the right leg into the float a short distance, relax and allow the float to take the leg up further abduction.

7.QUADRICEPS

Stand facing the wall and hold on to the rail. keep the left leg straight and touching the wall. Bend the right knee, put a float around the right ankle and allow the foot to rise in the water. Keep the right thigh against the wall.Push the foot down into the float, relax and allow the foot to rise in the water still further. The right knee may come away the wall from the wall a short distance. 

8.PECTORALS AND ABDOMINAL

lean back against the wall with hips flexed and feet a meter away from the wall. Take arms overhead to hold the rail.Arch back and lift the sternum to take the back away from the wall. A float can be placed behind the back at scapula level.

9.TRUNK ROTATORS 

Face the wall with hips bent at 90 degrees and right out straight, holding the rail. Hold a float with the left hand.Twist the trunk and head by taking the float under the right elbow. Following maximum stretch, press the float down into the water a short distance, relax and allow the float to take the hand further up to the surface of water.

10.COOLING DOWN 

Finish a session with a cool down. Stand with back to the wall, knees bent and neck under water. Allow the arms to float up to the surface of the water to encourage relaxation of the shoulders. Do some gentle neck and breathing exercises.