Management and Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Management and Treatment of Axial Spondyloarthritis
This course includes
The instructors
Overview
Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is frequently missed or misdiagnosed in primary care, with an average diagnostic delay of 9 years in Canada.
Many patients are incorrectly managed as having mechanical back pain, leading to prolonged suffering, disability, and reduced quality of life.
A key factor in this delay is the limited awareness of AxSpA and inflammatory back pain among outpatient healthcare providers.
💡 Why This Matters:
By improving recognition and referral pathways, you can play a direct role in reducing the diagnostic delay for Axial Spondyloarthritis patients, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.
📢 Call to Action:
Join this course to enhance your clinical skills and help close the diagnostic gap for AxSpA patients.
Let’s change the trajectory of AxSpA care.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
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- Understand the pathophysiology, clinical features, and progression of Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpa).
- Identify key diagnostic criteria and distinguish AxSpA from mechanical back pain in a primary care setting.
- Utilize targeted subjective questioning and screening tools to improve timely recognition and specialist referral.
- Equip patients with knowledge, movement strategies, and long-term management tools to support their condition.
Audience
This course is designed for physiotherapists, and other first contact practitioners, who assess and manage patients with persistent back pain in primary care settings.
While tailored to physical therapists, the content is highly relevant to any healthcare professional involved in early identification, referral, and management of Axial Spondyloarthritis.
The instructors
Registered Physiotherapist, H.BSc, M.Sc.PT
Jethro Mendola-Byatt, M.Sc., is a physiotherapist with a special interest in rheumatology and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Originally from Wales, UK, he now practices in Cobourg, Ontario. With an M.Sc. in Physiotherapy from Robert Gordon University and certification as a Strength and Conditioning coach, Jethro provides evidence-based care to diverse patients, including Olympic athletes, university competitors, and those with rheumatological conditions.
His extensive experience spans the UK’s National Health Service, private practice, elite sports, and performing arts, including work with England Basketball. Jethro focuses on managing rheumatological conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Axial Spondylitis, Osteoporosis, and Hypermobility.
Having managed the Axial Spondylitis service at North Bristol Trust, he offers expert care and is a trusted resource for patients and healthcare professionals in Cobourg.
Jethro is dedicated to advancing physiotherapy through professional education, sharing his rheumatology experience through courses to support clinicians in delivering evidence-informed care.
Material included in this course
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Introduction
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Module Breakdown
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Welcome Survey
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Downloadable Course Slides
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Module 1: Foundational Knowledge
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What is your understanding of Axial Spondyloarthritis?
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Clinical Signs & Symptoms
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Knowledge Check 1 - How does AxSpa present differently to Mechanical Lower Back Pain?
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AxSpa vs LBP
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Flares
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Module 1 Quiz
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Feedback
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Module 2: Diagnostic Skills
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Diagnostic Tools
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Subjective Ax
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Objective Ax
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Can you identify Barriers to Diagnosing AxSpa in primary care?
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Barriers to diagnosis
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Case study
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Case study answers
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Module 2 Quiz
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Feedback
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Module 3: Physiotherapy and Medical Treatment Strategies
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Medical vs Non Medical Management
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Drug Management
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Exercise Strategies
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Module 3 Quiz
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Feedback
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Module 4: Self-Management & Patient Empowerment
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Self management Strategies
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Posture
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Signposting
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Reducing Time To Diagnose & Sign off
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Final quiz
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Referral Letter Template
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Feedback
Is a certificate of completion included with this course?
Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion (including learning hours and course information) will be generated. You can download this certificate at any time. To learn more about course certificates on Embodia please visit this guide.
This can be used for continuing education credits, depending on your professional college or association. If this course has been approved for CEUs in specific jurisdictions, it will be noted on the course page and CEU information may be added to your course certificate. Please read this guide for more information.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for physiotherapists, and other first contact practitioners (FCPs), working in primary care who assess and manage patients with persistent back pain. It's particularly useful for clinicians aiming to improve their ability to recognise and support patients with suspected Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA).
Do I need prior experience with rheumatology to take this course?
No prior rheumatology experience is required. This course covers foundational knowledge and clinical reasoning strategies relevant to outpatient and primary care settings.
Will I learn how to diagnose AxSpA?
While only rheumatologists can formally diagnose Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), this course will help you recognise clinical patterns, use screening tools, and make appropriate referrals with confidence.
What topics are covered?
The course includes:
- Clinical features and subtypes of Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)
- Subjective and objective assessment strategies
- Diagnostic tools and referral pathways
- Physiotherapy management (exercise, posture, self-management)
- Understanding medications and flare patterns
- Reducing diagnostic delay
Is this course only relevant to Canadian clinicians?
No. While some examples reflect the Canadian healthcare system, the clinical principles and strategies apply internationally and are grounded in current evidence-based practice.