Five ways how physiotherapists can help you deal with spondylitis

Your spinal joints don’t move as well as they once did in spondylosis (spinal osteoarthritis), which is caused by aging-related changes in your spine that are comparable to arthritis. Due to the spine’s limited mobility, moving can be quite painful. 

Physical therapists can help you maintain and improve your mobility, learn techniques for pain management, strengthen your spinal muscles so that they can better support your spine, and stretch muscles that might be causing nerve compression in your spine, so your doctor might advise physical therapy as a component of your treatment plan. If you are wondering how to treat spondylitis, this blog is for you.

Defining spondylitis 

This is an inflammatory condition named ankylosing spondylitis. The spine, pelvis, and joints of the body are all impacted. The area of the bone where ligaments and tendons are attached becomes inflamed due to AS. The sacroiliac and spinal joints in the pelvis may fuse due to this inflammation. 

Asthma symptoms might vary from person to person and are brought on by joint inflammation. Deep aches across the buttocks, pain between the shoulder blades or at the front of the chest, and stiffness in the morning are typical early symptoms. Ideally, you can start with a massage for Ankylosing Spondylitis that help relieve such symptoms, especially those that create a hurdle for everyday task.

Inflammation in the areas where tendons and muscles (also called enthesis) join to bone is a defining feature of AS. Back pain and stiffness flare-ups are common symptoms of this illness. Others may even develop inflammatory bowel disease and ocular discomfort. Additionally, those with AS may experience issues with;

  • Skin (psoriasis)
  • Eyes (uveitis)
  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Heart, lungs, and kidneys, albeit these organs are rarely involved

How to diagnose spondylitis?

Physical therapists will do a comprehensive evaluation if you visit them first for symptoms like persistent back discomfort. Finding every potential contributing cause to your condition is the aim. The physical therapist will speak with your doctor about additional testing if AS is suspected. The spine and sacroiliac joints may be imaged using X-ray or MRI technology. 

Your doctor may also prescribe blood and genetic tests. You may be more likely to develop AS if you are positive for the gene named HLA-B27. Before making a diagnosis, a skilled doctor must interpret these findings.

To gather information, your physical therapist will start with an interview. They will inquire about your medical history, present health, and daily activities.

Your physical therapist can better understand your symptoms using this information. It will also aid in deciding how to proceed with the physical examination and medical care. Before beginning the physical examination, your physical therapist will frequently observe any movements or positions that cause pain.

How can physiotherapy help?

The three main facets of physical therapy are education, passive therapies, and active treatments. A physical therapist can calm you and your body using passive therapies while reducing immediate pain or inflammation. Because you don’t have to participate actively, they are referred to as passive. 

As your body recovers and adapts to the pain, you’ll start with passive treatments if you’re in acute pain. Physical therapy’s objective is to engage in active treatment methods, nevertheless. These therapeutic workouts help to build your body’s strength and support your spine. You can receive treatment for orthotics in Calgary as well. 

Awareness

You will learn more about ankylosing spondylitis treatment from your physical therapist. You can make decisions concerning your physical activity using this information. They will work with you to identify any issues relating to the kinds and quantities of exercises you perform and your regular activities. As necessary, your physical therapist will advise making adjustments to your everyday activities and workout regimen. They will also create a customized training regimen to assist you in achieving your physical potential.

Deep tissue massage

This method aims to relieve chronic muscle tension and spasms that may develop due to regular stress. Due to strains or sprains, you could also experience muscle tension or spasms. The therapist attempts to relieve the tension in your soft tissues by applying direct pressure and friction.

Hot and cold therapies

Your physical therapist in Calgary will offer you hot and cold treatments. The physical therapist uses heat to enhance blood flow to the targeted area because this will deliver more oxygen and nutrients. Blood is also necessary for the removal of the waste products produced by muscular spasms and for the aid of healing. 

Cryotherapy, commonly known as cold therapy, decreases circulation, which helps to lessen pain, inflammation, and muscular spasms. You can get an ice massage or apply a cold pack to the affected area. The cooling spray fluoromethane is another alternative for cryotherapy. Your therapist might assist you in stretching the afflicted muscles after cold therapy. 

Electrical stimulation

This can be done in the clinic, and if it is effective, a patient may be given a TENS unit to use at home. Your muscles are stimulated by e-stim using varying electrical current strengths. It lessens muscle spasms and could boost the body’s endorphin production, a natural painkiller. 

Additionally, it might reduce swelling, provide healing elements, and relax and retrain the affected muscles. The clinic’s e-stim unit is of a professional caliber, and the apparatus is very sizable. A more compact device for at-home use is additionally offered. A beneficial therapy is an electrical stimulation.

Exercises 

Exercises that increase range of motion and flexibility prevent spine and other joint stiffness. They also assist you in keeping your muscles and joints more flexible. You will learn exercises from your physical therapist to aid with pain relief and physical function. Additionally, these workouts can lessen the chance of bone fusion.

Walking, swimming or biking are low-impact exercises that can lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, it can lessen discomfort, stiffness, and exhaustion in AS patients. You can receive the most aerobic exercise by working with a physical therapist to determine the optimal strategy.

Conclusion 

The diagnosis of AS might be alarming and consequently significantly impact motivation levels, although it is a treatable condition. You can prevent the diagnosis from taking over your life with a little commitment, a few lifestyle changes, and the help of a few medical specialists.