An occupational therapist can show you ways to perform your daily activities more easily and efficiently, says Karen Jacobs, EdD, OT, OTR, an occupational therapist who works with individuals with arthritis and a clinical professor in the department of occupational therapy at Sargent College of Boston University. An occupational therapist can also help you learn how to conserve energy and protect your joints to minimize fatigue, which is among the most common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, according to the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA). When you meet with an occupational therapist, the goal is to find personalized solutions — and that starts with an assessment. “Together we can identify where you’re having inflammation and discomfort,” Jacobs says. You should tell your occupational therapist where you have pain and how severe it is, and also when pain starts or changes at different times of day, she says. That’s why keeping a log is helpful in assessing your needs. Record your activities hourly and what you’re feeling while doing them. For example, note any discomfort you have when doing laundry or if you feel back pain when you lift your child from a car seat, so that your occupational therapist can suggest specific modifications. An occupational therapist can also help make recommendations for adjustments that can help you on the job. “It might mean doing the most important tasks earlier in the morning before you’re fatigued or require you to take breaks,” Jacobs says. They may also suggest ways to alter your desk or workspace to make sure it’s set up in an ergonomic manner, says Allyson Buescher, MA, OTR/L, an occupational therapist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “You want your computer to be at the right height so you’re not bending your spine a lot, for example.”
Occupational Therapy Know-How
Here are examples of specific recommendations an occupational therapist might suggest to make everyday life less of a challenge with ankylosing spondylitis:
Choose a good chair. When sitting to read or watch TV, choose a chair that supports good posture to help ankylosing spondylitis-related back and neck stiffness. Chairs and couches should also have armrests to make it easier to sit down and get up without falling, Arthritis Research UK says.Take breaks. Sitting puts pressure on your spine, Buescher says. Getting up every 20 to 30 minutes to stretch and walk around is important — so much so that you might want to set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take scheduled breaks.Use a cart. A small rolling cart is a great tool for tasks like carrying laundry or other items from room to room, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery.Use assistive devices. An occupational therapist might recommend any number of simple tools, such as long-handled shoehorns, bath brushes, and grabbers for getting items from high shelves, to make everyday tasks easier. Arthritis Research UK also recommends a plastic-molded sock aid that holds the sock open while you put your foot in, helping you preserve good posture as you do it.Take a seat. When you’re preparing dinner, sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter can make the job less tiring than doing it standing up. Using the proper tools will also help you conserve your energy, Jacobs says. For example, a French chef’s knife or a rocking knife allow you to keep your hands in good position for cutting, slicing, and chopping.Ask for help. Identify tasks that put a lot of stress on your joints and ask a family member or friend to assist you. You want to stay independent and do as much as you can for yourself, but there’s no need to feel embarrassed asking for help when you need it, Jacobs says. This also allows you to conserve your energy for tasks that you can do on your own.Plan ahead. Being more organized will keep you from having to make extra trips up and down stairs or repeating tasks that require you to bend a lot. It’ll also help you conserve energy and relieve pressure on your spine, Buescher says.
How to Find an Occupational Therapist
To find an occupational therapist who has experience working with people with ankylosing spondylitis, you might start by contacting your local chapter of the American Occupational Therapy Association for names of professionals in your area. “There are state occupational therapy associations,” Jacobs says. Also ask your doctor for referrals. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Don’t wait too long to seek the assistance of an occupational therapist. A study published in the June 2017 issue of the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that people living with ankylosing spondylitis who worked with rehabilitation professionals to tailor a program to their individual needs experienced more significant improvements in quality of life and their ability to perform daily activities and were more likely to continue to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additional reporting by Brian Dunleavy
