05/01/2026
May is Ankylosing Spondylitis Awareness Month, and it’s an important time to talk about a condition that is often misunderstood—or mistaken for “just back pain.”
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Over time, it can cause pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and in more advanced cases, sections of the spine may begin to fuse together.
It often starts with symptoms people may dismiss, including:
• Persistent low back pain that improves with movement but feels worse after rest
• Morning stiffness
• Pain in the hips or buttocks
• Fatigue
• Reduced flexibility
• Pain that may come and go in flare-ups
Because symptoms can develop gradually, many people go years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
While chiropractic care does not treat the underlying autoimmune/inflammatory disease itself, it may help support mobility, posture, and overall function for some individuals—especially when care is coordinated with a rheumatologist or primary physician.
At New Leaf Chiropractic & Wellness, we focus on gentle, individualized care that may help by:
✔ Improving joint mobility in areas not affected by fusion
✔ Reducing muscle tension caused by compensation patterns
✔ Supporting posture and spinal movement
✔ Helping patients stay active with guided movement recommendations
✔ Complementing a broader care plan that may include medical management, exercise, and lifestyle support
If you’re dealing with chronic stiffness or back pain that feels different than a typical injury, don’t ignore it. Understanding the cause is the first step toward finding the right support.