Exercise

In addition to its obvious health benefits, exercise can be helpful to people with psoriatic diseases. Exercise reduces stress and helps to maintain healthy weight.

Weight maintenance is important for people with psoriatic arthritis, since too much weight on the joints can worsen pain and interfere with mobility. For people with psoriasis, weight maintenance should be a goal in order to avoid developing inverse psoriasis, which occurs frequently in overweight people and is aggravated by the friction caused by folds in the skin.

Staying fit

Before beginning an exercise program, be sure to always consult with a physician.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, it is important to find an activity that does not aggravate your joints. While walking, biking, and swimming are all great methods of exercise, be sure to adjust your regimen according to your comfort level.

Before walking or biking, remember to do some stretching to warm up your muscles. Start out riding or walking slowly for about 10 minutes a day until you feel comfortable doing more. Take breaks when you need them, and stop immediately if you feel pain.

If you swim, make sure the water temperature in the pool is between 83 and 90 F. If it isn’t, keep your dip short. Ocean water tends to be warmer and people with psoriasis may prefer it as it can help them exfoliate and soothe the skin.

Resistance training can help you strengthen muscles around the joints as well as maintain muscle tone overall. Use small weights or resistance bands. Don’t increase weight or resistance unless you feel comfortable and able to do so. You may also want to try yoga or Pilates, both of which can help strengthen, tone, and improve posture and balance.

Psoriasis at the gym

Just because you have psoriasis doesn’t mean you aren’t healthy or able to exercise. However, self-consciousness about skin symptoms and the fear of “shedding” may prohibit you from going to the gym or to an exercise class. You may fear what people will think or what they might say when you walk away from an exercise mat or stationary bike dusted with scales and flakes.

First, always try to employ a good skin regimen that will help you manage symptoms and reduce flaking and scaling. Second, wear comfortable, loose-fitting workout clothes that, if necessary, cover your problem areas without rubbing against them and irritating your skin.

Third, don’t be afraid to talk to a trainer or consultant at the gym about an appropriate exercise plan. Perhaps an aerobics class or a free-weights routine might make you feel less fearful of “leaving something behind.” If symptoms prohibit you from going to the gym, find a workout routine you can do at home until you achieve skin clearance again. Just don’t give up. A trainer, physical therapist, or your physician can help you develop a workout that keeps you from feeling self-conscious while providing the health benefits you need.

Next: Eating for Better Health