Best Hacks for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Bathing, getting dressed, and cooking can all be a problem when you might have ankylosing spondylitis. The excellent news is that there are various totally different instruments you should utilize to make life simpler. Here, 4 ankylosing spondylitis advocates share their favourite instruments and tips.

For Everyday Life

Canes. “It’s a simple cane with three feet on the bottom. I’ve found that when I walk up to a counter to get something off the shelf, it’s a pain to look for a spot to lean my cane against. I just let it go and it stands on its own. I also use it to walk outside when it’s icy. It’s much easier to step down off a slippery curb with this cane than a regular cane.”

–Jayson Sacco, podcast host, Port Huron, MI

Wrist brace. “I experience flares of intense pain in my wrists that make it difficult to do activities like work. I use wrist braces to relieve pain on joints. It allows me to do things I used to have trouble with, such as type.”

–Steph Di Pardo, author, Toronto, Ontario

Custom-fitted leg brace. “I need a leg brace on my left foot. For years, I used an over-the-counter brace, but about 2 years ago, I decided to have a custom-made one fitted for my leg. It was like trading in a Chevette for a Corvette. The quality was so much better. Best of all, most of the $1,200 cost was covered by insurance.”

–Jayson Sacco

Heated automobile seats. “After a hard day when my hips and back ache, I really appreciate my heated driver’s seat. It helps relieve joint pain and keeps my joints flexible. You don’t have to buy a car with heated seats, either. You can install heated seat covers.”

–Jayson Sacco

In the Bedroom

A pillow with arm rests. “My bed is essentially my office. Since I am always fatigued I use my laptop there. I use a backrest pillow with arms. It also helps prevent the back pain from unsupported sitting.”

–Steph Di Pardo

A sock slider. “I have a foot drop on my left side, which means I cannot lift it to put on my socks. I use a sock slider every morning. Basically, you place the sock on the slider kit, and slide your foot in. It works with most types of socks, too. I live alone. If I didn’t have my slider, I’d walk around sockless. I also use elastic shoelaces, which turns any pair of tennis shoes into slide-in sneakers. They have them for dress shoes, too.”

–Jayson Sacco

Homemade heating pads. “I have a homemade microwaveable bag of millet that is the length of my spine. I use it to lie on or wrap around my shoulders and reduce pain and tension. It’s larger than most store heating pads, and I don’t have to worry that I will fall asleep with it on and it will burn me.”

–Marhya Kelsch, a psychotherapist in Hayward, CA

In the Kitchen

Grip aids. “I use a gripper arm with a 3-foot extension. That way, if I drop anything, even something as small as a pill, I can use that to pick it up.”

–Jayson Sacco

Nonslip cushioned mat. “Thankfully, I still have good mobility in my wrists and hands, so I can still cook in the kitchen. I’m less steady on my feet, however, which is why a nonslip cushioned mat is so great. It helps me stay stable while I putter around.”

–David Hlavac, copywriter, Minneapolis, MN

In the Bathroom

Loofah stick. “I use it to scrub my back, feet, and lower legs. All areas that I can’t bend over to reach.”

–Jayson Sacco

Shower stool. “If I stand for a period of time I’m exhausted. This way, I can sit and wash my body and shampoo my hair without so much stress on my legs.”

–Steph Di Pardo

Hand-held bathe head. “It’s a simple hack, but completely worth it. I use it when I take a shower and apply the water to sore areas like my hip joints. I follow it up once I’m out of the shower with some gentle stretches.”

–David Hlavac

For Exercise and Self-Care

Hot tub/pool. “Earlier this year, I purchased a swim spa so I can do aqua therapy at home. I got a snorkel to reduce neck and shoulder strain that made it hard to do my water exercise.”

–Marhya Kelsch

A plain previous chair. “I love yoga, but since my diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, I’ve found fatigue gets in the way. Then I discovered chair yoga. I can do poses like the cat-cow stretch with some modifications.”

–Steph Di Pardo

Pressure-point massager. “These devices, which are about half the size of a walking cane, are around $30 and allow you to push on pressure points in the spine, shoulders, and back. I use it on my shoulders and rib cage near my back, where I experience the worst pain and inflammation. It helps tremendously, especially when I combine it with a topical over-the-counter heat rub.”

–David Hlavac

Back stretcher. “My 18-year old daughter, who was recently diagnosed with AS, discovered this gadget on TikTok. It provides a flexible, convex surface for stretching out the muscles in the back. I use it as soon as I get out of the shower every morning.”

–David Hlavac