Physiotherapy (PT) is very important for keeping you active and helping you in leading a normal lifestyle. Along with medications, PT plays a vital role in minimizing the stiffness of joints, reducing pain, and improving body posture. For patients suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), physiotherapy is an integral part of treatment.
AS impacts mobility causes severe pain and makes you feel like not to move or do any physical exercise. Your Rheumatologist might suggest doing specific exercises regularly.
Exercises decrease pain and stiffness in patients with AS. In your PT session, you will be guided about different exercises which can be done at home for the management of AS symptoms. Some efficient exercises are spinal mobility exercise, strengthening, stretching.
Physical therapists might ask to perform the following exercises:
- Posture training like standing against the wall, prone lying, standing, walking. Improving posture is the key to managing AS symptoms efficiently.
- Strengthening exercises like yoga for improving your strength and balance using light hand weights.
- Stretching exercises for improving mobility as patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis naturally tend to avoid moving joints which gives them pain.
A physical therapist will design a well-planned routine of the exercises you need based on your symptoms. To get relief from your symptoms quickly it is important to be consistent with your treatment plan.
Dr. Ashish K Badika has 3 years of advanced training in Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology including 2 years Post Doctoral.
He has extensive exposure to Systemic Autoimmune Disorder (Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Seronegative spondyloarthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Gout, Myositis, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Vasculitic conditions, and Paediatric rheumatology disorders).