Has your doctor told you that you have Ankylosing Spondylitis, or AS for short? When you wake up in the morning, do you feel stiff and like a robot, unable to move? Sometimes this pain and discomfort is just that, right? Medication is the main treatment for this. But did you know that in addition to medication, there are many other treatments that can give you great relief. Let's talk about them today.
Exercise: Your best friend
No matter how many new medications are available for AS, exercise is a key treatment for all stages of the disease. Studies have even found that regular exercise reduces inflammation and AS symptoms. Your doctor or physical therapist can help you develop a plan for what exercises are best for you and how to do them properly.
You can exercise at home. But if you feel bored doing it alone, joining a group will give you good motivation.
| Exercise type | The benefit |
|---|---|
| Swimming | Increases flexibility in the spine, neck, and hip joints. |
| Deep Breathing Exercises | Helps increase lung capacity. |
| Stretching | It helps a lot to reduce pain and stiffness. |
| Walking, Yoga, Tai chi | Helps maintain body flexibility and correct posture. |
Whatever exercise you do, remember this: Start slowly and gradually increase. Make it a part of your daily routine. If you feel any pain, stop and definitely talk to your doctor.
Physical Therapy - A Plan That's Right for You
The main goal of physical therapy is to keep you active and control your pain. This involves working with a physical therapist to learn the best exercises to strengthen and stretch your muscles.
The most important thing is to work with someone who has experience helping someone with AS. They can then create a treatment plan that is tailored to your condition and your abilities. This plan may include exercises, stretching, equipment, and hands-on treatment from a therapist. These treatments may not stop the progression of AS, but they can help you feel better by reducing your symptoms.
Occupational Therapy - Let's make everyday life easier
AS can affect almost every aspect of your life - from household chores to your job. Occupational therapy can help you reduce your pain and work independently without the help of anyone.
Imagine... Here you can learn about tricks and tools that can make everyday tasks like gardening, bathing, and cleaning easier. For example, an occupational therapist can show you how to use a shower bench for balance in the bathroom, or how to use a cane to reduce pressure on your joints.
| Other benefits of occupational therapy | |
|---|---|
| Obstacle detection | It helps you identify exactly what obstacles you face in your daily work. |
| Support equipment | You can learn how to use assistive devices that can make work easier. |
| Have a good night's sleep. | Making a few changes to your routine and bedroom can help you get better sleep. |
| Saving energy | It teaches you how to take breaks at the right time, control the pace of work, and conserve energy. |
| Mental wellness | Improve mental health by practicing relaxation techniques and mindfulness. |
Let's learn about other treatment methods.
Hydrotherapy
Simply put, this refers to exercises performed in warm water. The warm water provides a soothing effect on the body, and the slow, controlled exercises help relax your muscles. It also helps increase muscle strength, reduce joint pain, and improve mobility.
Chiropractic treatment
In this, the therapist applies pressure to your spine with their hands or a special device to move the joints. This can relieve pain in the joints and muscles. However, there is a very important thing here. If your spine has been fused together, that is , spinal fusion , this treatment is not suitable for you at all. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor and make a decision.
Acupuncture
This is a traditional medical practice that is about 3,000 years old. Depending on where your pain is, 5-20 very fine needles are inserted through your skin into specific pressure points. This signals the brain and spinal cord to release "feel-good" hormones, which are hormones that make the body feel good and happy. This can help reduce pain for people with AS.
Massage Therapy
A good massage can help reduce pain and stress, and increase flexibility in the short term. However, it is also important to find a qualified therapist who has experience working with people with AS . They know how to avoid putting pressure on your sensitive joints and muscles. While massage doesn’t work the same way for everyone, some people find it very beneficial both physically and mentally.
Take-Home Message
- Not only medication, but also non-medication treatments are very important for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
- Exercise is one of the most important and essential treatments for this disease. Never skip it.
- Physical therapy and occupational therapy can make your daily life much easier.
- Before you consider chiropractic care, be sure to ask your doctor if it's right for you. This treatment is especially not recommended if you have spinal fusion.
- Before choosing any of these treatments, it's best to talk to your doctor about it and decide what's best for you.
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