Ankylosing Spondylitis Physiotherapy in Bangalore — Proven 8-Step Spine Mobility Programme

Ankylosing spondylitis physiotherapy in Bangalore is not optional — it is prescription-grade care. Without daily structured movement, the spine and rib cage progressively fuse, restricting breathing and permanently altering posture. At Pro Physiotherapy JP Nagar, Dr J Mazumdar co-manages ankylosing spondylitis patients alongside your rheumatologist, delivering an evidence-based 8-step spine mobility programme validated by ASAS-EULAR 2023 guidelines.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and axial skeleton. It typically strikes young men in their twenties — inflammatory back pain that improves with exercise and worsens with rest, morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes, and gradually reduced spinal mobility. Early physiotherapy plus biologic therapy has transformed outcomes; most patients now maintain excellent function for decades.

Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis — Inflammation, Fusion & Function

Clinical Assessment on Day One

Baseline measurements include: BASDAI (Bath AS Disease Activity Index), BASFI (functional index), occiput-to-wall distance, tragus-to-wall distance, cervical rotation ROM, chest expansion (measured at nipple line), modified Schober's test (lumbar flexion), lateral spinal flexion, intermalleolar distance, and 6-minute walk. Photographs from lateral view capture postural baseline. All metrics are re-measured every 4–6 weeks.

Structured Treatment Timeline

Step-by-Step Rehabilitation Protocol

1. 1
   Spine mobility routine (daily 15 min)

   Cat-camel, thoracic rotation, side-flexion, prone press-up — the single most protective daily habit.
2. 2
   Thoracic extension over foam roller

   2–3 minutes of segmented extension, twice daily. Directly opposes the kyphotic drift.
3. 3
   Hip flexor and hamstring stretch

   Modified Thomas stretch + supine hamstring stretch — restores the lumbo-pelvic rhythm.
4. 4
   Breathing and rib expansion exercises

   Diaphragmatic breathing + costal expansion drills. Reduces the restrictive component of AS lung disease.
5. 5
   Postural correction cues

   Chin tuck, thoracic elevate, glute activation — the 3-cue drill practised hourly.
6. 6
   Resistance training (twice weekly)

   Full-body compound movements at moderate load — protects bone density and offsets disuse atrophy.
7. 7
   Hydrotherapy (weekly)

   Buoyancy-supported spine and hip mobility work — often the highest-yield adjunct in flare phases.
8. 8
   BASDAI + BASFI re-measurement every 4 weeks

   Objective tracking allows early adjustment. Escalation to your rheumatologist is triggered by any 2-point BASDAI rise.

Frequently Asked Questions