Exercise Therapy for Psoriatic Arthritis

Most people who develop psoriatic arthritis feel the symptoms of joint inflammation and stiffness increase overtime after having the regular form of psoriasis for several years. With no known cure for this form of arthritis, people suffering from it’s pain will eventually turn to orthotics, medications, steroid injections or even joint replacement when it’s time for medical intervention. But there are several things that people can do on a daily basis to help manage the pain and swelling in their sore joints. The Mayo Clinic lists the following items to increase circulation and decrease inflammation:

• Don’t overuse the joints and eliminate painful repetitive movements
• Maintain a healthy body weight as additional pounds add stress on  joints
• Alternate hot and cold packs to reduce inflammation and swelling
• Take part in a regular exercise therapy program

In a recently posted video on CNN’s Healthmakers page, Darria Long-Gillespie, MD Emergency Medicine, Chief Doctor at Sharecare, shares a few tips on what exercise therapy can do to help psoriatic arthritis. For additional videos on this condition, visit the Sharecare page. If you are managing your own symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and are looking for an easy to follow exercise regime, visit SimpleTherapy to see if it’s right for you.

*Darra Long-Gillespie, Sharecare.com, photo courtesy of Healthmakers CNN.com