Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition mainly affecting the vertebral column, causing stiffness and pain ranging from reduced mobility to immobility. The vertebrae may fuse over the years, resulting in permanent loss of flexibility and hunching of posture. While AS cannot be cured, quality of life can improve remarkably through appropriate management. Physiotherapy is among the most important ways to keep people mobile, relieve pain, and prevent complications. Physiotherapy helps perform targeted exercises and manual therapy for the maintenance of independence and an active lifestyle for those who have AS.
Physiotherapy in Improving Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Physiotherapy ankylosing spondylitis mainly focuses on flexibility, muscle strengthening, and spinal alignment. It includes stretching and strengthening exercises with postural correction and breathing techniques that will be advantageous for lung capacity development. The main benefits of physiotherapy for AS include the following:
- Pain Relief: Physiotherapy modalities such as soft tissue mobilization, hydrotherapy, and heat therapy assist in decreasing inflammation and muscle stiffness to provide improved pain management.
- Improvement of Posture and Flexibility: The stooped posture and stiffness in the spine brought about by AS progress can be treated by the exercises that the physiotherapist will guide the patients in doing to gain improved spinal mobility.
- Increased Strength and Stability: Strengthening the core and back muscles reduces the strain on the spine, providing for better mobility with a more powerful musculoskeletal system while reducing the incidence of musculoskeletal damage.
- Breathing Exercise: AS afflicts the rib cage motion, which hinders lung expansion. Physiotherapy incorporates breathing exercises to restore lung function and avoid pulmonary complications.
- Preventing Complications: Keeping up with regular physiotherapy sessions keeps joints flexible and prevents any deformities that may arise due to rigid conditions of prolonged stiffness, hence slowing down the rate of progression for AS.
Types of Physiotherapy Techniques for AS
- Range of Motion: Exercises help improve flexibility and help one to be free from stiffness around joints.
- Strength Training: They develop muscle strength, which supports the spine as well as helps posture improvement.
- Postural Alignment: This helps with spinal alignment correction and prevents deformities being formed because of AS.
- Hydrotherapy: Exercise in warm water reduces joint strain while improving movement.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques like massage and joint mobilization help overcome muscle tightness and discomfort.
Takeaway
For those wanting physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis, it is necessary to consult good physiotherapists who will customize their treatment plans based on the symptoms and overall health. Some conditions are associated with AS, such as sciatica, which produces pain in the lower back, hips, and legs. Targeted, specialized physiotherapy would help sciatica treatment in Gurgaon and thus not provide relief through that alone, but also through other methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How often should physiotherapy be done for ankylosing spondylitis?
A1. The frequency may vary with symptom severity but most cases improve with 2-3 sessions per week combined with daily home exercises.
Q2. Does physiotherapy cure ankylosing spondylitis?
A2. Physiotherapy cannot stop AS from occurring, but it is an excellent tool in managing pain and mobility and in preventing some complications.
Q3. Is physiotherapy safe for patients with severe AS?
A3. Yes, but it should be under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist who would modify the exercises according to the patient’s condition and pain threshold.