Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month 2022

May is Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month! Being diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpa) can bring huge lifestyle changes for many. This can look like going out less, changing diets, visiting the doctor more, giving up beloved hobbies and picking up new ones, and much more.

Here at Axialspondyloarthritis.net, we celebrate this Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month by bringing attention to the "new normal" that comes with living with AxSpa – both the good and the bad. Join us by sharing and being a part of community discussions with others living with AxSpa.

Enter our giveaway

We are giving away one $100 gift certificate to Neo Walk sticks and one $50 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choice! If you are a winner, our team will reach out to you to choose a gift card for your favorite takeout spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can even put the gift card toward a meal delivery subscription.

To learn more about our giveaway and how to enter, click here!

For a chance to win the Spondyloarthritis Awareness Month Giveaway:

• • To enter, answer any of the following forums:
    • Have you taken up any new hobbies or activities since being diagnosed with AxSpa?
    • What have you learned since your AxSpa diagnosis?
    • What advice would you share with someone newly diagnosed with AxSpa?
  • For 1 bonus entry, click on the button below and submit a 100- to 200-word story about any lifestyle changes you have made since being diagnosed with AxSpa.

Learn more about spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is the umbrella term for several rheumatic diseases that cause arthritis. SpA conditions include both AxSpA and peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA). AxSpA and pSpA have their subtypes too!

Axial spondyloarthritis

Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) can refer to 2 specific subtypes: non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-AxSpA), in which bone damage or fusion is not visible on imaging tests like x-rays or MRIs.

More commonly known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-AxSpA) causes bone damage and fusion that is visible on imaging tests.

Peripheral spondyloarthritis

Peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) causes inflammation in joints and tendons outside the spine and sacroiliac joints. The joints more often impacted are found in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, ankles, and feet. It is possible to develop symptoms of both pSpA and AxSpA.

Read about Lifestyle Changes with AxSpa

• Adapting
  • Lifestyle Changes With Axial Spondyloarthritis
  • My Challenge to Adapt to the Unpredictable AxSpa
  • Finding a Hobby That Works With Your Limitations

• Diet
  • How I Eat Lots of Veggies
  • What my AxSpa Diet looks like
• Movement & Exercise
  • How I Cope With Stiffness: Stretch Every Day
  • AxSpA Forced Me To Adapt My Exercise
• Coping
  • How Do I Cope With My Worst Days?
  • Four Ways to Destress in Stressful Times