Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a central part of managing your AS. It helps to maintain or improve movement in the spine, improve fitness and reduce pain. It may also help to maintain muscle strength and have a positive impact on your emotional wellbeing.
Physiotherapy programmes are normally developed by a physiotherapist and tailored to each person.
There may be an organised exercise group run by a physiotherapist in your local area that you can join. These groups give you the opportunity to meet other people with AS and may help with motivation to maintain these exercises. It is important to ask for advice from your doctor, nurse, or physiotherapist before taking on any new activity as some may cause you additional problems or pain.
Exercising is extremely important and should be continued where possible at home or as part of a group.
Other therapies that may be offered dependant on availability in your local area are:
- Massage therapy – this type of therapy relaxes muscles and can help to reduce pain
- Hydrotherapy – a water-based therapy involving exercises in a warm water swimming pool
- Spa therapy (sometimes known as balneotherapy)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – a TENS machine is a small electronic device that sends electrical pulses to nerve endings via pads placed on the body. This method has been shown to help with chronic musculoskeletal (bone and muscle) pain. It is believed to work by blocking pain messages to the brain.
It is important to speak to your physiotherapist about other resources that might be available in your local area.