Physical therapy and rehabilitation in the management of rheumatic disorders

Medical interventions focus on causation and disease processes, while rehab ilitation, including most elements of physical therapy, is concerned with t he consequences of disease. Its goals are to reduce symptoms, improve funct ion and minimize disability. In rheumatology, the rehabilitation perspectiv e mainly concerns patients with back pain, soft tissue and age-related musc uloskeletal problems. In inflammatory diseases, anatomical and functional r ehabilitation management includes joint protection, the maintenance of phys ical fitness and the prevention of impairment. This chapter will focus on e ssential therapeutic options and strategies in the rehabilitation of rheuma tic disorders. It includes the evidence-based description of measurement in struments, joint mobilization, muscle techniques and physical modalities.