Benefits of Physical Therapy for Lupus Patients

Lupus is defined as a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin that occurs when damage to the tissues mediates the immune response. The disorder can involve the skin, joints, kidneys, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and immune systems. Unfortunately, the exact cause of the disease is not known. However, multiple studies have identified different risk factors such as viruses, the release of hormones during pregnancy, and gene disorders. The disease is more common in females than males (especially pregnant women) between 15 to 44 years of age. Besides medical management of the disease, physical therapy plays an essential role in the treatment. The primary purpose of this article is to discuss the impact of physical therapy on this disease.

Symptoms of Lupus

Before we start with a discussion about the role of physical therapy in the management of lupus, it is necessary to mention symptoms:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Malaise
• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
• A headache, confusion, and memory loss
• Dry eyes
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Other symptoms are system specific. These symptoms may lead to remission of symptoms meaning you may suffer from cycles of illness followed by a feeling of well-being. If you experience these symptoms, make sure you schedule an appointment and see your doctor.

Physical Therapy and Lupus

Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE), is a disorder that affects multiple systems in the body. Physical therapy aims to regain your strength, flexibility, and mobility by relieving pain and stiffness. Regular exercising also acts as a stress buster. Physical therapy can be given in the form of exercises, occupational or recreational therapy.

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The physical therapist performs an assessment before initiating the treatment. The therapist will take your medical history in detail and perform a medical examination which includes measuring the:

• Range of motion
• Muscle strength
• Motor functions
• Respiratory functions

Following the assessment, the therapist designs an exercise regimen for you. The regimen may vary from person to person depending upon the severity of lupus. Physical therapy program will concentrate on working towards your functional disability due to joint pain and joint stiffness.

Now that you know more about the basic goals and aims of the physical therapy program let’s discuss the common physical therapy techniques employed to manage the condition.

1. Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is defined as the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. It is used to treat a broad range of neurological and physical diseases, including lupus. It’s also important to mention that hot and cold packs are essential in relieving pain and swelling.

2. Aerobic Exercises
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms encountered in lupus. Aerobic exercise relieves your fatigue by increasing the aerobic capacity. To increase the aerobic capacity, you need to perform the aerobic exercises for about eight weeks. Scientists at the Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis Center from Boston, Massachusetts followed 23 people having lupus who performed aerobic exercises for eight weeks. Results, published in the British Journal of Rheumatologyshowed that after eight weeks an increase was seen in the oxygen inspired. This increase was directly related to a decrease joint pain fatigue.

3. Massage and acupuncture
Both massage and acupuncture help in reducing pain. Massage also helps in correcting stiffness, thereby increasing your flexibility. One of the major benefits of these methods is that they don’t have any side effects. Let your therapist know if you have any fear of the needle or lightheadedness following the acupuncture injection. A study from theJournal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicinefound that massage and acupuncture reduce pain, improve the quality of sleep and overall health in patients with lupus.

4. Hydrotherapy
Commonly known as water therapy, hydrotherapy is an easy and efficient way of regaining range of motion without any pain. The main reason behind this is the buoyancy of water. Warm water (32.2° to 34.4°) is preferred for therapeutic use.

5. Posture training
Your gait and posture may be affected due to the persistent pain and stiffness. Your healthcare provider will teach you posture exercises and provide you with an external orthotic device, if necessary.

Occupational Therapy

Apart from physical therapy, occupational therapy also plays a major role in the management of lupus. You can regain your lost functional freedom with the help of this treatment. The aim of occupational therapy includes:

• Promotion of daily living activities (ADLs)
• Providing education about joint conservation
• Relieving fatigue

Your therapist will help you perform ADLs with the help of the special supportive device, such as modified toilet seat, splints and braces, long spoons, and so on. These devices are designed to make you perform the activities independently. Common ADL training includes feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting, and grooming.

To protect your joints from any further injury, your therapist will re-educate you about the joint conservation techniques. The most common being paraffin wax bath. These energy conservation techniques, if followed correctly, will relief your fatigue also.

You can modify your home by adding side rails beside the bathtub and toilet seat, walking carefully on the floor to prevent fall, and so on.

Let’s not forget you should avoid sun exposure and apply high-quality sunscreen about 20 minutes before you go out. According to a study from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology minimizing cosmetic damage i.e. skin problems should be a major aspect of lupus management.

When to ask for help

If pain occurs for more than 1 or 1.5 hours DO NOT continue the exercise, stop them immediately. Call your therapist if:

• You have health issues
• You notice any side effects of the therapy
• If you feel that the training regimen needs to be modified

Conclusion

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that has a tremendous potential to affect the overall quality of life. Luckily, there are many ways one can manage this disease, and multiple studies have shown that physical therapy is an excellent way to control the disease and relieve the pain. This article provided more insight into lupus; it’s recommended to consult your doctor about the therapy or exercises you can do.