The Implication of Physical Therapy in Treating Myositis, Connective Tissue Disease

Connective tissue disease is a leading cause of chronic pain among many adults and children. As part of the connective tissue diseases, the development of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy can be complex in not only diagnosis but also in treatment. The development of polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis, all lead to complex health conditions which are poorly studied in recent years.

Since there are many symptoms associated with myositis, patients often find their treatment plan is complex and difficult to manage as there is not one particular treatment that is effective for every symptom. Disease severity can be mild to severe, can respond to therapy in ways that are deemed poor to response that is excellent, and many experience recurrence of the complication soon after treatment.

For some patients with connective tissue disease, such as myositis, there is a need for physical therapy as an adjunct to prescription medication therapy. The degree to which physical therapy is offered for your myositis complication will vary depending upon your pain and the type of connective tissue disease you suffer from. While some forms of physical therapy may work to regress the complication, for other patients, the physical therapy may lead to further pain and symptom magnification.

If you have been diagnosed with a connective tissue disease, such as myositis, you can expect your symptoms to be quite varied. Symptoms may include fever, muscle pain, cardiovascular complications, dysphagia and even death. Without proper diagnosis and management of your myositis, the complication can lead to significant health complications.