I normally go to the gym 3 times per week which I really enjoy and helps with mobility. I especially enjoy the cross trainer. I have had a bad flare up in my spine over the last 3 weeks and GP has me on NSAIDs until I go to my first ever rheumy apt in a month. The meds haven’t done much at all so far, which is disappointing because they worked when I first took them 3 years ago and my symptoms disappeared until recently. I thought until now that the GP was wrong and that I didn’t have PsA, now I’m scared he was right. My back is not improving, although I have had a few massages that helps loosen the stiffness a little. I really want to get back into the gym this week but I don’t know if it will help me or make things worse. My recent lumbosacral xray showed signs of inflammatory spondyloarthropathy but im still waitng on my inital rheumy apt for official diagnosis. Does anyone find the exercise helpful during the acute back pain associated with inflammatory spondyloarthropathy?
In general, movement is good, and the cross trainer is very low impact. If you want, try it out, and as long as it doesn't increase the pain, you can do this at a gentle level. I hope you get some relief soon.
Thanks Stoney, I have a feeling it may help with the stiffness, I was just scared of making it worse as I haven’t had it flare up this bad and last so long before. If I stretch a bit first and just start off lightly on the cross trainer I can take it from there. It may just take me a little while to build up to my normal workout…I might be able to do some upper body weights, but I don’t think I’m up to any leg press etc for a little while
You need to stretch MORE than a bit before hitting the cross-trainer or you can spasm. You need to do a full stretch for the SI's first or you can create a bunch of problems for yourself. This is a pretty good site:
FWIW everyone has "those signs" as they age and 80% of EVERYBODY has ab acute episode lasting as long as 6 mos in the lower back area in their lives.
Thanks for your feedback and the link 
I’m only 28 so I hope it’s not age related lol yes, I’m a sonographer so I do know that majority of people will suffer with lower back pain at some point in their life. Hopefully it will be over soon and I can get back to my normal routine
And yes you’re right, I really need to do those stretches for the SI joints, I think that’s half the problem! Good point
Maybe not age related, but you have an amazingly "back stressful" job....... Good luck.
FWIW if it is PsA at 28, its likley to go away again for a few years. Hopefully you have a "with it" doc. My own belief is that you should get aggressive treatment now rather than later when damage has been done. Its a discussion worth having. In the meantime just remember what doesn't move rusts.
Thank you tnt, I first had symptoms 3 years ago which lasted
6 months max and haven’t had any probs again until recently. I didn’t go to a rheumatologist because I thought the GP was making something out of nothing because I didn’t have some of the other symptoms and was so young. I’m seeing a new doc now who said given the findings on my xray I should see a specialist and get a diagnosis and onto treatment early before I have further damage. So if it is PsA at least they have found it very early and I should get a good outcome thanks for the info and support. And yes, work does put stress on my back, so I do think a lot of it is muscular too
I agree with lamb about treating it aggressively.
Thanks for your advice Andrew