Ankylosing spondylitis, commonly abbreviated as AS, is a long-term inflammatory disease that affects your spine and pelvis. It is a type of arthritis, specifically belonging to inflammatory joint diseases. AS can cause swelling and fusion of vertebrae and make the spine stiff. This leads to difficulty in performing actions like bending and standing upright. Other than the spine, it can affect shoulders, hips, buttocks and other joints especially at rest or after waking up in the morning. AS usually begins between 20 to 40 years, mostly affecting males.
This article discusses causes, symptoms and effective physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis. Our main focus is PT treatment for spondylitis as it will help manage its symptoms and effects on daily activities without any invasive procedure.
Ankylosing spondylitis does not occur by a singular cause. It occurs when genetic and immune system factors combine together to develop inflammatory conditions.
These causes can be:
The strongest genetic link is a gene identified as HLA-B27 and 80 to 90% people with ankylosing spondylitis have this gene. But presence of this gene does not guarantee occurrence of AS
Ankylosing spondylitis is an auto-inflammatory disease. The immune system mistakenly causes chronic inflammation in joints and ligaments
Gut bacteria imbalance can play a role in AS (research ongoing). Certain infections can trigger AS in genetically predisposed individuals.
The symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis vary and often develop slowly.
Your healthcare provider will choose your treatment plan according to the symptoms that are being shown.
Also Read: Physiotherapy For Joint Pain ; Physiotherapy For Disc Burge
Physiotherapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis is a reliable and safe treatment procedure as it is supported by evidence that patients of AS experienced a significant reduction in pain, stiffness and dependency after consistent physiotherapy sessions.
Physiotherapists can help the patients of AS with:
The main goal of Ankylosing Spondylitis physiotherapy management is to prevent any further progression of agony for the patient.
This can be achieved by maintaining and improving spinal mobility keeping in mind that the patient has to attain maximum range of motion so that their daily activities are not obstructed.
The World Health Organization recognizes rehabilitation or Ankylosing Spondylitis physiotherapy management as an essential part of the treatment plan and recommends that the adults engage in muscle strengthening exercises and moderate to low intensity aerobic workouts at least twice a week for 150 to 300 minutes.
Other international bodies like European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) and the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) also suggest physiotherapy treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis alongside pharmacological interventions.
Ankylosing spondylitis physiotherapy management or treatment consists of a combination of different treatment modalities that can help an individual with their healing journey with a structured and personalized plan. These techniques are:
Manual therapy applies hands-on treatment by physiotherapists to relieve pain and improve mobility by reducing joint stiffness and muscle tension.
It consists of:
The manual therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis physiotherapy treatment should be personalized and careful because any aggressive manipulation of muscles can cause more pain and discomfort especially in cases of active inflammation.
It applies structured and targeted movements to strengthen muscles and improve spine support.
It consists of:
It applies exercises that gently mobilize the spine and surrounding tissues.
These are non exercise treatments that can relieve pain and support healing.
These consist of:
On the other hand, applying ice packs can decrease blood flow to a region and reduce swelling and inflammation.
Heat is better for chronic pain and stiffness while ice is good for acute pain and inflammatory cases.
None of these modalities treat AS directly but help in pain relief only.
Aquatic therapy also called Hydrotherapy or Water-Based Therapy are exercises performed under water so that the pressure on the spine is reduced to improve strength and flexibility.
Water provides several effects such as buoyancy, warmth and hydrostatic pressure that aid in easier movements for patients that usually experience restricted range of motion.
Aquatic therapy is usually done alongside other physiotherapy treatment techniques for optimum results.
Understanding about your condition and recognizing how Ankylosing Spondylitis affects your body can help you get a better understanding of your treatment plans.
Under educational and lifestyle strategies, the patient is guided on:
All these factors affect our health more than we think. Keeping a check on all the above mentioned aspects will help keep all illness away and even improve health once the body gets affected.
Natural management of Ankylosing spondylitis does not completely cure it, you may need medications and surgeries to prevent or stop any structural damage. But following a physiotherapist consistently and in a structured manner will definitely show you positive results once you get to understand what your body demands. You can do many indoor exercises and perform other pain-relief home remedies for an improved quality of life but always consult your healthcare provider beforehand.
Always remember that your body is your biggest asset and a natural healer itself. So take time to understand your body, its limits and only then, with physiotherapy’s help, you can help yourself heal naturally.
Also Read: Physiotherapy For Back Pain ; Physiotherapy For Knee Pain
The best exercise for Ankylosing Spondylitis consists of spine stretching, core strengthening, deep breathing exercises and posture correction movements. These can help reduce stiffness, improve flexibility, and prevent fusion of vertebrae.
Yes. Physical therapy helps enhance spine mobility and reduces stiffness. Regular physiotherapy helps restore mobility and corrects posture. Guided physiotherapy sessions can reduce the need for long term medications.
Yes. Some people with AS are able to be fully independent and with constant exercising they are able to prevent severe chronic turn of AS. However, when the bones in the joints fuse, it can be more challenging to do daily activities by themselves.
The first line of therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis can be NSAIDS that help reduce pain and inflammation. Along with this medication, physiotherapy exercises can help reduce pain and grant mobility to the spine and joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a specific type of Axial spondyloarthritis(axSpA), both causing inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints. Early physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis can help manage both AS and axSpA.
Yes. You can do Ankylosing Spondylitis physiotherapy at home through telerehabilitation with expert guidance from Resolve360 where you can get regular supervision and flexibility outcomes from the comfort of your home.
When Ankylosing Spondylitis is left untreated, inflammation can damage the spine. This leads to fusion of bones and thus reduction in flexibility and mobility.
It takes at least 4 to 8 weeks of consistent physiotherapy sessions to see positive results for Ankylosing Spondylitis where you can witness improved posture, reduced pain, enhanced mobility and all together a good quality of life.
Yes. You can exercise daily but with gentle and low impact activities like walking, swimming, stretching and deep breathing. These daily activities help control chronic pain safely.
Dr. Nidhi Kumari
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
Also Read: Back Pain: Causes and Treatment
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We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctor’s first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.