How Exercise May Improve Treatment Outcomes for Psoriatic Arthritis (and Vice Versa)

When you are living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you may worry that exercise would cause flares of your joint pain. That’s not necessarily the case: The American College of Rheumatology generally recommends exercise to help protect your flexibility and mobility.

“We find that people who have arthritis and people who have psoriatic arthritis in particular, really benefit from regular movement,” says Hana Conlon, NP, Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner with Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

Conlan explains that PsA, an autoimmune condition, can cause different kinds of inflammation in the skin, joints, and tendons. For example:

• Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the membrane around the tendons

• Enthesitis is inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone

• Dactylitis is inflammation of the joints in the fingers and toes

In general, inactivity may worsen this inflammation.

How might exercise help reduce psoriatic arthritis symptoms?

Exercise may help improve treatment outcomes for your psoriatic arthritis by:

• Strengthening the muscles that support a joint

• Reducing bone loss

• Reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness

• Improving mobility and range of motion

• Fighting fatigue and improving energy levels

• Maintaining weight to help reduce strain on the joints 

According to Conlon, when you first start treatment for PsA, you might not feel well and could have difficulty moving. Taking medication for your PsA may reduce symptoms and make it easier to exercise. At the same time, exercise may support your medication and improve your treatment outcomes.

How do you start exercising safely with psoriatic arthritis?

When you’re starting exercise after a diagnosis of PsA, you may want to visit a physical therapist or a trainer who can give you safe and effective stretches that you can do on a daily basis.  Always remember to talk to your doctor to see what breadth of activities are safe for you given your whole health picture. 

If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort during exercise, make sure you tell your provider. While it could be a sign that you haven’t moved in a while and need to be loosened up, it could also mean that your psoriatic arthritis treatment isn’t working well or that something else is wrong.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mera Goodman is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts