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Read MorePosted by Dr. Scott Wilson | 01-Jul-2023
Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) can be a challenge. If you’re living with this form of chronic arthritis, you know first hand just how much it can impact your mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life. The good news is that physiotherapy can play a crucial role in helping to manage the symptoms of AS. In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits that physiotherapy can provide for helping those living with Ankylosing Spondylolysis regain alleviate pain, increase mobility, and enhance their overall well-being and outlook on life.
Before we look at the role that physiotherapy or physical therapy can play in helping to decrease pain, improve mobility, and enhance your overall well-being and quality of life, let’s take a quick look at what Ankylosing Spondylolysis really is.
While there is no cure for Ankylosing Spondylitis, physiotherapy can provide a number of key benefits when it comes to managing symptoms. These include helping with pain management, improving flexibility and range of motion, enhancing posture and spinal alignment, and addressing possible complications. Of course, improvements in each of these areas provide the additional benefit of positively impacting your emotional and psychological well-being.
As you can see, your Physiotherapist can certainly play a vital role in helping you to manage Ankylosing Spondylitis. As highly trained health care professionals, Physiotherapists assess, diagnose, and create tailored treatment plans based on each patient’s unique needs and condition. They also provide guidance, support, expertise throughout the treatment process to ensure an optimal outcome.
An initial assessment is critical first step for understanding the particulars of your condition, including your functional abilities, and for developing an effective treatment plan. It helps create a baseline for treatment and allows for the development of realistic and achievable goals. Of course, because AS is a progressive condition, effectively management requires ongoing monitoring, regular follow-up appointments with reassessments, and periodic plan adjustments to ensure that your treatment remains effective and adapts to your changing needs.
Your individual exercise program should be designed based on your physical capabilities and limitations, including your spinal and joint mobility, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness level. It should also address complications or related symptoms and pain management considerations. Back pain including lower back pain caused by inflammation in the vertebrae joints can be a significant consideration. Stretching exercises targeting the back, hips, and chest can help alleviate stiffness, while strengthening exercises for your core and postural muscles provide stability to your spine. Depending on your condition, your Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist may also include elements for improving your cardiovascular health, and may include low-impact options like Yoga or Pilates. Regular monitoring and reassessment are essential for modifying and revising the program as needed. And, of course, sticking to your treatment plan is key for the successful long-term management of this type of arthritis.
Incorporating breathing and relaxation techniques into your treatment plan can enhance the benefits of exercise. Diaphragmatic breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and the inclusion of Yoga or Pilates can help you to reduce stress, improve your body awareness, increase your relaxation and psychological well-being.
In addition to your physical therapy, your Physiotherapist may also provide guidance and advice on other lifestyle changes for helping to manage your Ankylosing Spondylitis. Modifying your home and work environments to support comfort and joint health can have a significant impact on your ability to function and feel productive. Your Physiotherapist can provide recommendations for ergonomic adjustments, such as proper workstation setup, adaptive equipment, and postural cues, to promote optimal functioning and minimize joint strain. They might also recommend assistive devices and teach adaptive strategies to help overcome challenges with daily activities. Finally, your Physiotherapist may also provide guidance to help you with maintaining a healthy weight. This is essential for managing your symptoms and may include recommendations that support overall health and inflammation reduction.
Physiotherapy is an important and effective part of any comprehensive program for managing Ankylosing Spondylitis. Working with a skilled Physiotherapist and embracing tailored exercise program with external supports and lifestyle modifications, as needed, you’ll be able to more effectively manage your pain and other symptoms, increase your strength, flexibility and range of motion, and unlock your full potential for mobility and an improved quality of life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with Ankylosing Spondylitis, contact us today and let us show you why, at Physiomed, Healthier Starts Here.
Ankylosing Spondylolysis is a form of arthritis that mainly impacts the spine, resulting in back, neck, and hip discomfort. It can cause vertebrae to fuse over time, limiting mobility. Physiotherapy can alleviate symptoms and enhance flexibility. Of course, a through physical exam is an important first step for determining the best course of treatment for your particular condition.
Physiotherapy can effectively treat Ankylosing Spondylolysis by enhancing flexibility, strength, and posture through exercises, massage therapy, heat/cold therapy and other treatments or interventions. A Physiotherapist can create a customized treatment plan based on the specifics of your condition and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
There are a number of exercises or stretches that are useful in managing symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylolysis. Aerobic exercises such as swimming, cycling, or walking can help overall fitness levels and reduce stiffness. Strengthening back muscles with exercises like prone press-ups or plank pose may also alleviate symptoms. And knee-to-chest, hamstring and other stretches help to increase flexibility.
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