Morning Stiffness in Psoriatic Arthritis: Exploring Treatment Possibilities
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects many individuals, causing symptoms such as swelling, inflammation, and joint pain. For those with PsA, prolonged morning stiffness can be a common and bothersome issue, primarily affecting hands and feet but also larger joints.
Fortunately, there are several effective strategies for managing morning joint stiffness in PsA. These approaches combine medical, lifestyle, and self-care methods to provide comprehensive relief.
Gentle Morning Movement and Exercise
Engaging in light stretching, yoga, or walking soon after waking can help reduce stiffness and improve joint mobility. Regular exercise also strengthens muscles supporting the joints and improves range of motion, which is critical in PsA management.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Even modest weight loss (5-10%) can significantly reduce joint stress and alleviate morning stiffness. Excess weight adds pressure on affected joints, making weight management an important factor in managing PsA symptoms.
Stress Management Techniques
Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can decrease muscle tension and inflammation, which may worsen arthritis symptoms including morning stiffness.
Massage Therapy
Regular massage can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and ease joint stiffness by relaxing muscles around affected joints.
Use of Assistive Devices and Supportive Footwear
When needed, canes, braces, compression gloves, and supportive shoes with proper arch support can reduce joint strain and improve stability, potentially reducing stiffness.
Medical Treatment and Monitoring
Since PsA is progressive, prompt diagnosis by a rheumatologist and appropriate therapy (which may include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or biologics) are essential to control inflammation and prevent joint damage.
Good Sleep Hygiene
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and a comfortable sleep environment can influence morning stiffness, as poor sleep can exacerbate symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory Diet and Lifestyle
Consuming an anti-inflammatory diet and avoiding smoking can help lessen systemic inflammation, a key driver of symptoms in PsA.
People with PsA often experience prolonged morning stiffness (over 30 minutes). However, personalized management plans developed with healthcare providers, including rheumatologists and physical therapists, are important to effectively reduce morning stiffness and improve function.
In summary, combining gentle morning activity, weight management, stress reduction, massage, supportive devices, medical treatment, and lifestyle modifications form an effective strategy for reducing morning joint stiffness in PsA. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to protect the joints from structural damage and prevent further progression of the condition.
