Abnormal Posture, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Physiotherapy Singapore

Description: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis, its primary characteristic is joint and ligamental inflammation of the spine that goes on for months and is often chronic, which causes pain and reduced mobility as well as stiffness. In more severe cases, bones of the spine may fuse together to form an ankylosis, resulting in a very hard and stiff back. If the bone fuses in an abnormal posture, it will cause the patient to have abnormal posture.

Most of the time, ankylosing spondilitis begins at the lower part of the spine and at the sacroiliac joints (the joint between the sacrum and ilium of the hip); patients will start to feel long term and consistent pain, ache and stiffness in the lower back and hips. As time goes by, the symptoms start to travel upwards towards the lower, middle and upper back, and may affect the rib cage (if the rib cage stiffens, it will impact breathing).

What we do for physiotherapy for our patients in Singapore is that we assess on the presence of pain and stiffness, look for abnormalities and identify if the disease has progressed or decreased. Then we treat for pain, stiffness using manual therapy and exercise physiotherapy, in the clinic and home (prescribed). If possible, we will also provide soft tissue stretches and strengthening to improve musculature.