Abstract

Place of physical therapy with particular emphasis on exercises and massage in the treatment of patients with Ankylosing SpondylitisThe process includes the sacroiliac joints, spinal joints and ligaments, fibrous rings and peripheral joints. From 0.1% to 0.5% of the population in Central Europe suffer from AS. Treatment of patients with AS requires, first of all, combining pharmacotherapy with non-pharmacological treatment including mainly: physical exercise, massage, participation in self-help groups, education, manual therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, balneotherapy, spa therapy, systemic cryotherapy, lifestyle modification. So far, no single, proper algorithm for non-pharmacological treatment of patients with AS has been developed.

Key words:

Ankylosing spondylitis, physiotherapy, rheumatology, exercise, massage