Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis, can make tasks you do without thinking feel like major obstacles that increase your joint pain—and that includes maneuvering around your own home, whether you’re trying to make breakfast or simply use the bathroom. To help with these challenges, we spoke to the experts to learn seven must-try hacks for modifying your living space to make life with AS easier.
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Why AS Can Make Navigating Your Home a Challenge
Chronic AS pain can lead to decreased mobility and range of motion, says Nikki Weiner, O.T.D., a licensed occupational therapist and certified ergonomic specialist in Pittsburgh, PA. This can lead to struggles around the home. “Certain daily activities tend to aggravate the body with AS,” adds Terence Starz, M.D., a clinical professor of medicine and occupational therapy in the division of rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Assistive devices and small changes can help you work around these stressors.