Physical therapy for Spondylitis

Overview
Physical therapy can help people with spondylitis reduce pain, preserve function, improve strength and balance, and stabilize joints. Physical therapy can also rehabilitate your body after surgery or injury. Physical therapy is widely recognized as a fundamental aspect of treatment for spondylitis.

The pain, stiffness, and fatigue caused by spondylitis can lead many people to give up on physical activity and become increasingly sedentary. However, muscle and joint weakness result in more pain and damage, and a sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of other conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes.

What does it involve?
Even a few sessions with a physical therapist may teach you strategies to reduce pain and improve physical function. At your first visit with a physical therapist, they will carefully assess your condition and interview you about your medical history. The therapist may test your strength or range of motion. They will help you prioritize which problems you want to work on during sessions. A good therapist will encourage you to challenge yourself while respecting your comfort levels.

Your physical therapist will teach you different exercises you can do on your own at home. Which exercises you do with your therapist will depend entirely on your condition and your goals. Exercises may include stretching, strengthening, and conditioning movements.

It is important not to become discouraged early on in therapy. Focus on slow, gradual progress toward goals.

Intended outcomes
The three main goals of physical therapy are to ease pain, prevent disability, and improve function. The effectiveness of physical therapy in treating chronic pain depends on many factors.

Results
Multiple clinical studies have confirmed that physical therapy can help people with spondylitis improve function, mobility, posture, and fitness, as well as mood and quality of life.

Constraints
Most types of insurance will only pay for a limited number of physical therapy appointments.

Symptoms such as chronic pain, stiffness, and fatigue can make it difficult to stay motivated to keep up with physical therapy exercises.

Depending on where you live, it may be hard to travel to physical therapy visits.

For more details about this treatment, visit:
Does physical therapy still have a place in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis? – PubMed
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18388519?do...

Effects of physical therapy for the management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis in the biological era – Springer Nature
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10...

Physiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis – Cochrane
http://www.cochrane.org/CD002822/MUSKEL_physiot...

Physical Therapist's Guide to Chronic Pain Syndromes – Move Forward
http://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditions...