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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Controlling Your Arthritis

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  • Protect your joints. Changing the way you carry out everyday tasks can make a tremendous difference in how you feel. For example, you can avoid straining your finger joints by using gadgets such as jar openers to twist the lids from jars, by lifting heavy pans or other objects with both hands, and by pushing doors open with your whole body instead of just your fingers.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight places less strain on your joints, leading to reduced pain and increased energy and mobility. The best way to increase nutrients while limiting calories is to eat more plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise can help keep your joints flexible and your muscles strong. Types of exercises that are less stressful on joints include biking, swimming and walking.
  • Use cold and hot packs. Because cold has a numbing effect, it can dull the sensation of pain. You can apply cold several times a day for 20 or 30 minutes at a time. Heat can help relax tense muscles and relieve pain.
  • Pace yourself. Battling pain and inflammation can leave you feeling exhausted. In addition, some arthritis medications can cause fatigue. The key isn't to stop being active entirely, but to rest before you become too tired. Divide exercise or work activities into short segments. Find time to relax several times throughout the day.
Coping and support Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Fitzgerald O. Psoriatic arthritis. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/223128990-5/1070709009/1807/528.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10072-5_2607. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  2. Gladman DD. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  3. Psoriatic arthritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/psoriaticarthritis.asp. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  4. Kleinert S, et al. Psoriatic arthritis: Clinical spectrum and diagnostic procedures. Clinics in Dermatology. 2007;25:519.
  5. Gladman DD. Pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  6. Mercier LR. Arthritis, psoriatic. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1070709009&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-07158-1..00003-1--s2020&isbn=978-0-323-07158-1&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-07158-1..00003-1--s2020&uniqId=223128990-6. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  7. Gladman DD. Treatment of psoriatic arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
  8. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Nov. 2, 2010.
DS00476 Dec. 9, 2010

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