Occupational therapy for ankylosing spondylitis may help improve quality of life by increasing cognition, mobility, and function. This could help make performing daily tasks easier.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the spine.
Over time, the condition may cause pain and stiffness that can reduce mobility and make it more difficult to perform everyday tasks.
Occupational therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on performing everyday tasks or “occupations” that you take part in. Occupational therapy may involve tasks that require moving around, as well as social activities.
A doctor may recommend working with an occupational therapist as part of your treatment plan.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits, costs, and possible risks of occupational therapy for ankylosing spondylitis.
Physical therapy involves range-of-motion activities that could help you manage ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. Occupational therapy helps you with fine motor and gross motor skills.
Some exercises a therapist might help you with include:
- getting dressed
- tying your shoes
- bathing
- practicing with assisted devices, such as reaching devices
- playing games
- throwing or catching a ball
An occupational therapist will help you set goals for your treatment and create specific exercises to help get you there. After 6 months, the therapist may want to reevaluate your treatment plan.
Occupational therapists base their plans of care on your individual needs. They work with people living with various physical, sensory, and cognitive needs to help them achieve independence and a better quality of life.
A doctor may recommend working with an occupational therapist as part of your treatment plan because
Research suggests that occupational therapy may also help you develop strategies for managing fatigue, increasing quality of life, and participating in work and social activities.
Lastly, an occupational therapist can show you alternative ways to perform tasks at home, work, and school to minimize any pain and impact on your spine and joints. This may include using assistive devices.
For some people, disease progression can mean losing independence to complete everyday tasks, especially ones that involve stretching and bending. It can also mean that you’re no longer able to take part in hobbies and social activities like you could before.
The goal of occupational therapy is to help you achieve the ability and independence to fully enjoy such tasks. This could mean helping you get back to work or school, and prevent injuries from your daily activities.
When should you consider occupational therapy for ankylosing spondylitis?
The Arthritis Foundation recommends speaking with an occupational therapist as soon as you receive a diagnosis of arthritis, which can include ankylosing spondylitis.
During your first visit, you can speak with the therapist about:
- the activities you enjoy doing
- what your daily activities comprise and look like
- any concerns you may have about the diagnosis
An occupational therapist could provide you with strategies, exercises, and tips to help you maintain your ability to perform the activities you love most and prevent any complications from developing.
It’s difficult to estimate the exact cost of occupational therapy because several factors may influence the cost, such as:
- whether you have insurance, and if so, if it covers occupational therapy
- the duration of your occupational therapy program
- the number of sessions you have
- the location of your treatment
In the United States, costs of occupational therapy may range between $50 to $400 per session, with each visit lasting about 1 hour. Out-of-pocket costs may depend on whether you have insurance and the specific insurance provider.
In the United Kingdom, a chronic pain management course that includes occupational therapy, physical therapy, and psychology is around £900 ($1,150 USD).
You can request an estimate of these costs before beginning treatment.
An occupational therapist may also recommend assistive devices to make everyday tasks easier. However, these come at an extra cost.
Some online research can help you compare products and prices. The Spondylitis Association of America and the Arthritis Foundation provide good resources, communities, and product recommendations.
Before visiting an occupational therapist
Before setting up your occupational therapy sessions, speak with your insurance provider, if you have one, to make sure they are in-network to avoid unexpected bills.
Even if the occupational therapist you select is in-network, your insurance might limit the number of sessions they’ll cover. You might also be required to pay a copayment for each visit.
If you don’t have an insurance provider, speak with the clinic to see if they offer discounted rates or payment plans for self-payers.
A health savings account (HSA) could also be used to help pay for occupational therapy expenses.
The only drawbacks to occupational therapy are the possible costs and time commitments. An occupational therapist may want to see you once weekly for 1 hour, which can be a challenging commitment, especially if you’re working or raising kids.
Consider the best time and day each week for your sessions to ensure you make it to your appointments on time and stick with your weekly commitment.
For managing costs, be sure to have all the estimated costs in advance. Even if insurance doesn’t cover all sessions, a provider may be able to work with you to offset the costs.
A general practitioner can provide a referral for an occupational therapist, especially if you have health insurance that requires a referral to see a specialist.
The following sources can also help you find an occupational therapist online or in your local community:
A reputable occupational therapy office might offer free consultations to assess your needs and develop a long-term care plan. Most people see their therapist weekly until a long-term plan can be established. It may be helpful to consult with a few prospective therapists before committing to one.
Learn more about resources for ankylosing spondylitis.
Occupational therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on providing strategies to help perform daily tasks, reduce pain, and improve cognition, mobility, and function.
It’s one aspect of long-term ankylosing spondylitis care. While medications work to reduce inflammation and pain, occupational therapy is an important addition to prevent injury and increase your overall quality of life.
The techniques you learn can also help you maintain your independence as you age. Talk with a doctor to see if occupational therapy could complement your current treatment plan for ankylosing spondylitis.