Zoe Clark, osteopath and educator with a special interest in Axial SpA talks about the condition and how although it affects around 1 in 200 people in the UK currently the average time frame from getting symptoms to diagnosis is eight and half years.
As a professional treating patients Zoe is also someone with Axial SpA and in this episode offers great advice and information on this condition, a common cause of non -specific back pain and discusses both the symptoms that can be indicators and the possible reasons there is such a lack of awareness leading to the very extended diagnostic timeframe.
As always with The Back Pain Podcast, there is great content that will help anyone increase their understanding
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Axial SpA is a type of inflammatory arthritis and is generally inflammation in the body
One of the first symptoms can be back pain and it affects 1 in 200 people in the UK
Axial SpA is the umbrella term and MRI scans now help identify the specifics
With inflammatory back pain, the symptoms usually get worse when you are still and better when you move
Axial SpA can affect different areas of the body including the skin and the digestive system
Putting your shoes and socks on can be the point when you experience pain
Blood tests combined with symptoms and X rays all help with diagnosis
The average time, in the UK from getting symptoms to diagnosis, is eight and half years
A combination of factors contribute to the extended diagnostic timeframe
It’s a common condition in the general public but there is a lack of awareness with people putting their symptoms down to injury
Most people take anti-inflammatory medication
Exercise and movement are the best things you can do. Find something you love and do it regularly
Lots of people find manual therapy really helpful
Stopping smoking will make a huge difference
Smoking increases the risk of joint changes and other health conditions and the effectiveness of medications
Give yourself time to process and accept the diagnosis

 
BEST MOMENTS
‘Most people manage with anti-inflammatory medication combined with exercise’
‘If there is one thing you should do with Axial Spa it is to stop smoking
‘NASS is a great source of information and resources for anyone with Axial SpA’
 
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ABOUT THE HOSTS
Dave Elliot
Dave is the owner of Advanced Chiropractic, a chain of Chiropractic and massage therapy clinics in Essex, UK. Dave still sees patients during the week but has been working hard to talk to as many experts in the field of back pain as possible to help distil all the information and bring it to you in this awesome podcast. You can find Dave on any of the Advanced Chiropractic social media platforms, or you can contact him at hello@thebackpainpodcast.com if you have any questions for him.
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Rob Beaven
Rob owns and runs a multidisciplinary clinic, The Dyer St Clinic in Cirencester Gloucestershire. His team of Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Doctors and podiatrists all collaborate on thousands of back pain patients every year. Alongside Dave, he has worked hard to bring to the table experts across all industries to give you the low down on back pain, with steps you can implement today to start feeling better.
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