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Ankylosing Spondylitis Physiotherapy

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis, and it's number #1 primary character is chronic joint and ligamental inflammation inside the spine.

This leads to long-term

• pain
• decreased range-of-motion
• stiffness

In moderate to severe cases, the bones that are affected which are in the spine, may fuse and join together (this is called ankylosis), leading to a spine that is very hard, rigid, firm.

Because of this, the patient develops a progressively abnormal posture.

Other joints that are not as commonly affected includes the joints of:

• shoulder
• neck
• hip
• knee
• ankles

In some cases, it can affect the organs.

causes and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The scientific community and doctors still do not know exactly why or what causes ankylosing spondylitis, but there is a general agreement that a specific gene HLA-B27 that attributes to genetic and hereditary reasons. However, one thing to note is that even if 90% of patients who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis has the HLA-B27 gene, yet not all people with HLA-B27 gene has the disease.

The disease often starts at the

• lower back and/or
• sacroiliac joints

Early symptoms includes consistent, constant and chronic pain in the lower back and hip joints. Most patients with ankylosing spondylitis often complain of pain and stiffness in their backs or hips after resting for a while.

Over time, the symptoms become worse, and starts to "move" upwards, towards their spine. If it affects the rib cage, the bones in the chest (sternum) and ribs may fuse/join together, and that will definitely affect one's ability to breathe properly, as the ribcage is important to allow the lungs to expand and contract for breathing.

diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis

To begin with, your physician will first diagnose ankylosing spondylitis firstly on symptoms eg

• presence of pain and stiffness and at which locations (specificly focusing on hips and lower back first)
  
• physical assessment e.g. testing for presence of pain and range of motion at the affected area
• finding for abnormalities on X-Rays
  
• finding for abnormalities on blood tests on presence of the HLA-B27 gene
• and identifying the disease progression if it has migrated
  

One important thing to note about ankylosing spondylitis is that its symptoms can be mixed/similar to other conditions such as

• lower back pain
• hip bursitis
• osteoarthritis
• etc

These are all common conditions, so patients will need a doctor who can do differential diagnosis to tell the conditions apart.

ankylosing spondylitis physiotherapy

Physiotherapy will be focused on:

• decreasing the amount of pain
• decreasing inflammation
  
• managing and preventing joint stiffness
  

Our senior physiotherapists may use a mix of physio approaches including:

• spinal manipulation and mobilization techniques
• soft tissue stretch and management
• prevent compensation by strengthening weakened groups
• prevent/slow down deformity by postural correction
  
• muscle strengthening
  
• radio-frequency Indiba physiotherapy for pain management
  
• stability training
  
• gait and mobility training
  

Regular and ongoing consistent physiotherapy will be crucial part of the management of ankylosing spondylitis, coupled with the medications from your physician.

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Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.

PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Muscle, Bone & Joint Pains Physiotherapy
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See all the conditions our principal physiotherapists treat.

HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

1. manage and decrease hand pains
2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes

• wrist sprains and wrist fractures
• thumb sprains, finger fractures and finger dislocations
• repetitive strain injuries such as de Quervain's tenosynovitis (mummy's thumb), carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and more.
• See all the conditions our hand therapists treat here.
• Fabricate thermoplastic custom made hand splints

REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.

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DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

• Craniosacral Therapy
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All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

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