For people living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA), exercise can feel like a balancing act. Moving your body may help with stress, stiffness, and overall health. But symptoms like pain, fatigue, itching, and skin sensitivity can make it harder to stay consistent.

In Q&A threads like this one, MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared many different ways they approach exercise. Their experiences show there’s no single “right” way to move — just what works for your body on a given day.

Share your thoughts.

🗳️ What type of exercise do you prefer most with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis?

Water-based exercise

Walking or cycling

Gentle movement like yoga, tai chi, or Pilates

It varies/Something else

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Water-based activities were popular among MyPsoriasisTeam members. Swimming, water aerobics, and similar exercises can take pressure off the joints and make it easier to move.

One MyPsoriasisTeam member shared, “Just bought a house with a pool, and now I swim almost daily. Has helped both P and PsA.”

What Members Are Saying About Swimming

“Just bought a house with a pool, and now I swim almost daily. Has helped both P and PsA.”

“Swimming also helps. … I do not push it too hard. If I overdo it, I pay for it.”

Another member emphasized pacing: “Swimming also helps. … I do not push it too hard. If I overdo it, I pay for it.”

However, not all water feels the same. Some people notice skin irritation depending on the environment. As one member put it, “Swimming in a pool helps. I cannot swim in the sea because my skin stings like mad.”

These differences highlight how personal exercise choices can be when living with psoriasis.

Many members turn to low-impact cardio like walking or cycling. These activities can be adjusted based on how you feel, making them easier to stick with over time.

“I have found walking daily a great stress relief,” shared a MyPsoriasisTeam member, adding they also use stretching to keep their joints from getting stiff.

Another member described the mental health benefits: “Just walking in the forest helps to calm my mind, so it’s beneficial for my psoriasis.”

“I have found walking daily a great stress relief.”

— A MyPsoriasisTeam member

Cycling and machines like ellipticals also work for some people, especially with the right adjustments. One member explained, “Elliptical helps as long as I do not set the resistance too high or the angle too high. Also, if I take the first five to 10 minutes to warm up, it helps.”

These approaches show how small changes — like lowering intensity or taking time to warm up — can make cardio more manageable.

When symptoms flare, slower and more controlled movement may feel more doable. Several members said they prefer practices like yoga, tai chi, or Pilates.

One MyPsoriasisTeam member shared, “I love exercise, but I would say yoga is probably the only one that won’t hurt me.”

Another member highlighted the calming effect of tai chi, a traditional Chinese practice that combines slow movements, physical postures, meditation, and controlled breathing. “Slow movements help to reduce inflammation on the joints,” they shared. “And with peace of mind, stress is reduced.”

“I love exercise, but I would say yoga is probably the only one that won’t hurt me.”

— A MyPsoriasisTeam member

Pilates was also mentioned as a way to stay flexible without overloading the body. These types of exercise may help you stay active while being mindful of your limits.

For many people with psoriasis, the biggest barrier isn’t just joint pain. It’s skin discomfort. Sweating, heat, and friction can trigger itching, burning, or irritation.

One MyPsoriasisTeam member described the intensity of itching: “I have felt like I had bugs under my skin, like something just bit me, something just stabbed me, something just burned me, jabbed me, punched me, etc., etc., etc.”

Another explained how severe symptoms can get during exercise: “Moving is very painful, and sweating is so incredibly itchy and painful, once I’ve given in to scratching and eventual bleeding.”

These experiences show why some people avoid exercise during flares. If sweating or irritation is a trigger for you, it may help to try:

• Cooler environments
• Shorter sessions
• Gentle activities

A dermatologist or other healthcare provider can also help you find ways to manage skin symptoms.

Across many responses, one theme stood out: Doing too much too quickly can lead to setbacks.

One MyPsoriasisTeam member shared, “Recumbent bike and ergometer are great, but I find myself so sore for days, so I stop going, and then I start back again.”

Another member described a similar pattern with cardio machines and swimming — feeling fine at first, then having symptoms later.

Finding the right balance can take time. Shorter sessions, rest days, and gradual increases may help you stay more consistent without worsening symptoms.

Find What Works for You

Exercise with psoriasis or PsA doesn’t have to look a certain way. For some, it’s swimming laps. For others, it’s a short walk, stretching, or gentle movement at home.

The goal is to find what works for you and adjust when your body needs something different.

If exercise feels difficult or painful, consider talking with your healthcare provider. They can help you find ways to protect your skin and joints while staying active.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What type of exercise works best for you, especially during a flare? Let others know in the comments below.