If you have trouble waking up in the morning, feel pain in your lower back, and feel physically and mentally fatigued throughout the day, you may want to visit your doctor. After some testing, your doctor may suggest psoriatic arthritis as a potential cause for your problems.
If it turns out that you do have psoriatic arthritis, do not fear. There are ways to manage your symptoms so you can get back to living everyday life in no time. In this breakdown of psoriatic arthritis, we will look over how this condition is treated and how Mid-County Physical Therapy can help. Read on to learn more about psoriatic arthritis and how you can manage it more effectively.
What is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic is a form of arthritis that results in skin and nail swelling. Though this is the most recognizable symptom of psoriatic arthritis, a host of other issues can arise due to this condition. In addition to the swelling, psoriatic arthritis can result in eye and joint pain and stiffness around the body.
A failure to treat psoriatic arthritis can result in irreversible joint damage to a disabling level. For this reason, it is important to take serious precautions to fight the effects of psoriatic arthritis. This can be through several methods, including red light therapy, medications, physical activity and everyday life management. We will discuss the latter three treatments below.
What Are the Major Arthritis Treatment Options?
The major arthritis treatment options are different in effectiveness and should be carried out after careful consideration and consultation with your doctor.
Take Medications
Two major types of medications are used to treat psoriatic arthritis: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). As the name suggests, NSAIDs are used to lessen the potency of inflammation and the pain it causes. DMARDs are more generic medications used to treat multiple forms of inflammatory arthritis.
Stay Active
One trap that some patients may fall into is believing that their psoriatic arthritis is a reason to take things easy, but that is not necessarily true. Even while dealing with psoriatic arthritis, you should exercise regularly to fight back against the potential stiffness and weakness that can come with your diagnosis. For specific exercises to try, contact your doctor or a physical therapist.
Adjust Your Habits
While exercise should become an essential part of your daily routine while dealing with psoriatic arthritis, you should perform the rest of your tasks throughout the day with care. Essentially, try not to irritate your joints and skin in places that are deeply affected by arthritis, and consult an expert in physical therapy for arthritis for specific advice.
Mid-County Physical Therapy Can Help You
Mid-County Physical Therapy can help you manage psoriatic arthritis through our expert advice and treatment options. Our center for physical therapy in Manassas, VA, is a hub for excellent physical therapy service administered by a friendly and experienced staff. Reach out to us today if you or a loved one has psoriatic arthritis.