What is Sjögren’s syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that most commonly affects the body’s moisture-producing glands. This often leads to dry eyes and dry mouth, but the condition can also affect joints, nerves, lungs, the digestive system and other body systems. It can occur on its own or alongside another autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Common symptoms may include:

• dry eyes

• dry mouth

• fatigue

• joint pain

• muscle aches or stiffness

• difficulty concentrating or reduced energy

• dry skin or other dryness-related symptoms

• swallowing discomfort or voice changes in some people

Sjögren’s can be mild for some people and more disruptive for others, especially when dryness and fatigue are significant.

How Sjögren’s syndrome may affect daily function

Sjögren’s syndrome affects each person differently, but it may impact:

• fatigue and reduced energy

• mobility and physical endurance

• joint comfort and movement

• confidence with exercise

• concentration and daily routines

• work, study or community participation

• comfort with eating, drinking or speaking when dryness is severe

Dry mouth can increase the risk of oral discomfort and may affect eating, speaking and swallowing comfort, while dry eyes can affect comfort and vision-related function. Ongoing fatigue can also make daily tasks and activity harder to manage.

How Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health may help

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy may support people with Sjögren’s syndrome where there are goals related to strength, mobility, deconditioning, joint comfort, fatigue-aware movement or return to daily activity. Depending on the person’s needs, physiotherapy may include:

• gentle movement and mobility support

• strength and conditioning for function

• fatigue-aware activity planning

• support for deconditioning after flare-ups or reduced activity

• guidance for pacing return to movement and exercise
  
  

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy may help when Sjögren’s syndrome is affecting daily routines, fatigue management, self-care, work tasks or home function. OT may include:

• fatigue management and pacing

• practical strategies for daily routines

• support to reduce effort during everyday tasks

• planning for function during lower-energy periods

• hand-use strategies where joint discomfort is affecting tasks
  
  

Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology may be appropriate for some people living with Sjögren’s syndrome who need support with graded return to exercise, endurance, strength or physical reconditioning. Programs should be tailored carefully to the person’s fatigue levels, joint symptoms and medical advice.

Speech Pathology

Speech pathology is not usually relevant for everyone with Sjögren’s syndrome, but it may be relevant where a person has associated voice, swallowing or oral function concerns, particularly when severe dry mouth or throat dryness is affecting comfort, eating, drinking or speaking. Arthritis Foundation information notes that Sjögren’s can affect moisture-producing glands in the larynx and digestive tract, and throat dryness can contribute to symptoms such as coughing or voice discomfort.

Dryness and fatigue considerations

Dryness and fatigue are two of the most common and functionally disruptive features of Sjögren’s syndrome. Severe dry eyes may affect comfort and visual function, while dry mouth may affect eating, speaking, oral health and swallowing comfort. Fatigue can be ongoing, unpredictable and difficult to manage, even when other symptoms are less severe.

Because of this, support often needs to be practical and adaptable, especially during periods of low energy or when dryness-related symptoms are more active.

Our approach

At Palms, we take a function-focused, goal-directed approach. That means we look at how Sjögren’s syndrome is affecting the person in everyday life and what practical support may help. Therapy may focus on:

managing fatigue more effectively

rebuilding strength after lower-activity periods

improving confidence with movement

supporting daily routines and participation

helping the person pace activity in a sustainable way

adapting strategies when dryness or discomfort is interfering with function

We also recognise that support often works best when it is coordinated with the person’s GP, rheumatologist, ophthalmologist, dentist and broader medical team where appropriate.

FAQ

What is Sjögren’s syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that most commonly causes dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also affect joints, nerves, lungs, the digestive system and other parts of the body.

Is Sjögren’s syndrome an autoimmune disease?

Yes. Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and causes inflammation.

What are the main symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome?

The most common symptoms are dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain. Some people also experience wider body symptoms or organ involvement.

Can Sjögren’s syndrome cause fatigue?

Yes. Fatigue is very common in Sjögren’s syndrome and can be ongoing, unpredictable and difficult to manage.

Can physiotherapy help with Sjögren’s syndrome?

Physiotherapy may help support mobility, strength, deconditioning and return to activity, particularly when fatigue, weakness, joint discomfort or reduced physical capacity are affecting daily life.

Can occupational therapy help with Sjögren’s syndrome?

Yes. Occupational therapy may assist with daily routines, fatigue management, self-care, work tasks and independence in everyday activities.

Can Sjögren’s syndrome affect swallowing or speaking?

It can. Severe dry mouth or throat dryness may affect comfort with speaking, eating or swallowing, and some people may benefit from speech pathology input if these issues are significant.

Is Sjögren’s syndrome the same as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus?

No. Sjögren’s syndrome is its own condition, but it can occur alongside other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Can allied health treat Sjögren’s syndrome itself?

No. Sjögren’s syndrome requires medical diagnosis and management. Allied health does not treat the autoimmune inflammation itself, but may support strength, fatigue management, movement, function and day-to-day quality of life.

When should someone with Sjögren’s syndrome see allied health?

Allied health may be worth considering when Sjögren’s syndrome is affecting fatigue, strength, mobility, daily living, exercise participation, swallowing comfort or overall function.

If you are living with Sjögren’s syndrome and would like support with fatigue, strength, movement or return to everyday activity, our team can discuss whether physiotherapy or allied health input may be appropriate for your needs. 

External Resources for Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s Foundation

Sjögren’s Syndrome Association Australia

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Arthritis Australia - Sjögren's Syndrome

Important disclaimer: This webpage contains general information only and is not intended to be relied upon as personal clinical advice. While we aim to keep information accurate and up to date, it may not reflect the most current research or your individual circumstances. Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health does not accept liability for decisions made based on this information without an individualised assessment by an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have concerns, please contact us to book an assessment or speak with your GP/medical team.