Carrie Ann Inaba hasn’t always been able to score her health a 10.
While the Dancing With the Stars judge consistently brings positive energy, helpful feedback and pivotal scores to the ballroom every week on ABC’s hit reality show, Inaba has found herself experiencing some health struggles that have kept her sidelined during filming.
Ahead of the season 34 premiere on September 16, 2025, Inaba announced she wouldn’t be able to judge the first episode because she was feeling “quite under the weather.”
“I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health,” she wrote via Instagram. “In the meantime, I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I’ll be cheering you on from home. 🤍🙏 Have a great show everyone! 🪩💃🏻🕺🏻⭐️.”
Although additional details about Inaba’s health weren’t immediately available, the choreographer has been open about her health over the years.
Keep reading to learning more about what Inaba has faced away from the dance floor:
Carrie Ann Diagnosed With Spinal Stenosis
In the middle of judging Dancing With the Stars season 4 in 2007, Inaba was diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
“I think it started because I went from being a very active person to a non-active person,” Inaba told People in 2019. “I remember going to the doctor, and I couldn’t move my head. I was in excruciating pain for years.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine.
Some people with the condition have no symptoms while others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness.
Carrie Ann Diagnosed With Sjӧgren’s Syndrome
Six years after learning she has spinal stenosis, Inaba was diagnosed with Sjӧgren’s syndrome, an incurable immune disorder that can cause pain and fatigue.
“It was debilitating,” Inaba shared with People. “I was in so much pain, I just had to survive. I had to stay in bed three days a week, and I’m so fortunate because I had the kind of job where I could do that. There were days I could barely make my coffee because I was so exhausted.”
The autoimmune disease makes your glands produce less moisture than they should, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can also cause chronic dryness throughout one’s body, especially the eyes and mouth.
Carrie Ann’s Experience With Lupus
In a social media post from October 2023, Inana shared a glimpse into her life with a lupus diagnosis.
“After years of wondering why I felt the way I did, I now know that I live with lupus — an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body and causes inflammation that over time can damage different parts of the body including the organs,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “I am proactive about trying to prevent my own lupus flares by taking rest and managing my stress levels, amongst other things.”
Inaba is part of the estimated 25 percent of people with lupus who also have fibromyalgia. It’s described by the Mayo Clinic as a long-term condition that involves widespread body pain.
How Carrie Ann Manages Her Illnesses
In a candid post on her online wellness platform, The Carrie Ann Conversations, Inaba shared her mindset when it comes to coping with autoimmune conditions.
“When I first got diagnosed, some encouraged me to keep my struggles to myself, but I’ve found that it’s always been better to be honest about my needs and realities than to stay silent,” Inaba wrote. “I believe strongly in sharing my journey, my solutions and the things that have helped me with anyone who could use it — this is how communities are formed.”
In her post, Inaba shared some tools that help her personally to cope with her chronic illnesses, but recommended to her followers that it is always best to work with a professional doctor when seeking medical advice.