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Exercise forpsoriatic arthritiscan be a complex subject.
Walking is one way to exercise for psoriatic arthritis.
Heres how experts say you’re free to safely exercise for psoriatic arthritis.
Work with a physical therapist if you could.
Dr. Bilsborrow says working with someone who understands what youre dealing with can be really beneficial.
Physical therapy can be expensive and may not be an option for everyone.
Work out at times when you feel your best.
Some individuals find that light movement in the morning, such as stretching, can help ease tightness.
If youre able to, working with a specialist like a physical therapist can help you learn proper techniques.
you’ve got the option to browse throughSELFs fitness section for tutorialsor theAmerican Council on Exercise database.
Beyond that, performing movements slowly and focusing on how youre moving can help you with form.
Try low-impact cardio if youre new to working out.
(The sacroiliac joints connect the lowest part of your spine with the two sides of your pelvis.)
If you need something gentler, she recommends yoga or tai chi.
Consider adding resistance training.
You may worry about putting any sort of weight on joints that can already be painful.
To avoid injuries, its really important to consider your particular situation when adding weights.
(The Fragraim Ankle Weights are one popular optionon Amazon, $21.)
These target multiple muscle groups at once, offering more bang for your buck.
Deadlifts,squats, andpush-upsare all good examples of compound movements.
Stretch throughout the day (including before and after strength training).
She explains that when you have joint pain, you tend to flex your joints by default.
The specific stretches she recommends vary from person to person.
I tend to have people focus on whats bothering them the most, Dr. Iversen says.
After that, you could start your strength-training session.
Listen to your body and scale back when you’re gonna wanna.
Paying careful attention to your bodys signs and symptoms is critical, Dr. Iversen says.
Overexercising can result in tendon inflammation, or enthesitis, a condition associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Dr. Iversen recommends avoiding high-impact or very strenuous workouts if you have a flare-up of symptoms.
Use cold therapy post-workout if you’re free to handle it.
(It helps to wrap your ice pack in a towel to protect your skin.)
Cold therapy can help reduce pain and joint swelling, according to the Mayo Clinic4.
