Beyond Yoga: How to Keep Joints Flexible With Psoriatic Arthritis

Taking a full-on yoga class when you have psoriatic arthritis might seem like an exercise in self-flagellation. (I’ve been there.) Read on for low-impact, customizable ways to loosen your stiff joints.

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Try swimming

According to a study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 2016, middle-aged and older adults with arthritis saw “significant reductions in joint pain, stiffness and physical limitation,” as well as an increased quality of life, when they participated in swim therapy for three months. Functional capacity also improved.

Go for a bike ride

The aforementioned study also examined land-based cycling therapy, another low-impact option that’s more frequently prescribed by rheumatologists. Arthritis patients who rode bikes for three months saw improvements on the same scale as the swimmers.

Go for a walk

Walking is another low-impact exercise that loosens up key joints in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and — depending on how hard you work — shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. Just be sure you’re wearing the right shoes for the job.

Wiggle your toes

For arthritis in your feet, small daily exercises, especially first thing in the morning, will reduce the duration of morning stiffness. Wiggle your toes in 10-second intervals, then manually massage each joint for improved range of motion.

Sweat in some heat therapy

In 2009, researchers in the Netherlands published findings from a study that exposed patients with RA and ankylosing spondylitis to twice-weekly infrared sauna treatments for a month. Both patient categories saw clinical improvement in pain and stiffness — a good sign for PsA sufferers looking to sweat it out in a local sauna.

Dance like no one’s watching

Movement, across the board, is the best way to reduce stiffness and improve flexibility in joints. But not all moves are created equal. Dancing to a favorite song is a low-impact way to loosen up your joints without adding undo pressure on sore knees and ankles. (Just keep the break-dancing to a minimum.)

Try chair stretches

For knee and leg PsA, these clinician-approved chair exercises fit the bill. Do them at home or at work; your joints will thank you later.
Take appropriate medications and supplements
The quickest way to target the inflammation that causes joint pain is through medications and supplements. Speak with your doctor to determine a treatment regimen that’s right for you.