Are you having chronic back or joint pain? If you are, exercising may seem daunting or painful. If ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the cause, it is very important to stay active. AS patients who do not exercise may become fatigued and experience more pain because the lack of movement leads to muscle weakness and stiffness of the spine. AS can be very painful and progressive in nature if left untreated. The Mayo Clinic describes this illness as an inflammatory arthritis disease that typically causes pain and stiffness in the spine. The most prevalent warning sign of this disease is low back pain that is hugely associated with the sacroiliac joints, where the spine connects to the pelvis.
This condition has been found to be more common in men than women and typically begins at an early stage of adulthood, though it is possible — yet rare — to progress in a later stage of life or during childhood. While the cause of AS is largely unknown, 90% of the risk of developing AS is related to genetic makeup.
In more chronic and severe cases, the symptoms can lead to ankylosis, which causes new bone formations in the spine and can lead to parts of the vertebrae fusing together — decreasing mobility. Although not all cases are the same from person to person and not everyone with AS experiences the severity of spinal fusing and disability. Some may only feel discomfort and minor back pain that disturbs their normal rhythm of life.
“Along with spinal stiffness, involvements of hips, shoulders and heel/foot are most common. Difficulty with expanding, extending your chest due to stiffness in rib mobility is also a striking sign noted in clinical setting,” says Palak Shah, PT.
Some other common symptoms include:
AS is a rheumatic disease and hence initial diagnosis would be based on X-Ray findings, blood tests along with thorough history and physical examination by a rheumatologist. It is estimated that 75% of AS patients with mild restriction in spinal movement who had the disease for at least 10 years do not develop more spinal improvement.
“Physical therapy treatment in AS is focused on maintaining and preventing deterioration of cardiovascular, lung and spinal function. Exercise and posture control are critical in AS,” says Shah. It helps with
While you work on your exercise routine, keep these helpful tips from SpineUniverse in mind:
When you suffer from ankylosing spondylitis, avoiding delays in care can help delay the severe symptoms and delay the process of spinal stiffness. In severe cases, the stiffness and pain may be limiting you from getting out of the house. With Luna’s On-Demand PT, you can get PT in the comfort of your own home, gym, or office. No more waiting in a patient room or fighting through traffic. With Luna, you’re also able to monitor your progress and keep up with your goals on the Luna Exercises app. It is easy to access and connect with your PT through every step of the way. Your physical therapist can even offer you feedback and modify your exercise plan based on your progress.
If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the key warning signs and may be at risk of AS, contact your Luna PT to get a full evaluation and begin treatment with experts who really care about your health.