How can you manage joint pain during cold winter months?
Cold weather can worsen psoriatic arthritis symptoms, making joint pain more challenging during winter. Here are several strategies that can help:
Heat and Cold Therapy
Alternating hot and cold compresses can provide relief. Heat helps loosen stiff muscles and Show Full Answer
How can you manage joint pain during cold winter months?
Cold weather can worsen psoriatic arthritis symptoms, making joint pain more challenging during winter. Here are several strategies that can help:
Heat and Cold Therapy
Alternating hot and cold compresses can provide relief. Heat helps loosen stiff muscles and joints, while cold reduces inflammation and dulls pain. However, since temperature extremes can trigger psoriasis for some people, choose what works best for your body.
Stay Active With Exercise
Regular exercise keeps joints mobile and reduces pain, even when it's cold outside. Low-impact activities like yoga are popular among people with psoriatic arthritis. Warming up before exercise and cooling down afterward helps prevent muscle soreness and injury.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Working with therapists can teach you exercises to strengthen muscles around your joints and learn ways to perform daily tasks that minimize pain and protect your joints.
Medications
NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation. If you're already taking NSAIDs for psoriatic arthritis, consult your rheumatologist before taking more. Your doctor may also recommend adjusting your disease-modifying medications during flare-ups.
Alternative Therapies
Some people find relief through massage or acupuncture. A MyPsoriasisTeam member shared: "I highly recommend getting a good massage therapist that understands pain and works with you to heal."
Joint Protection
Using braces or splints can provide support and reduce pain by limiting painful movements.
March 9
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