The Unexpected Magic of an Adjustable Bed: A Psoriatic Arthritis Lifesaver

I’ll admit it. I used to roll my eyes at adjustable beds. You know the ones—their commercials feature impossibly happy couples raising and lowering their mattresses with the press of a button, basking in the supposed luxury of it all.

I thought it was a gimmick, another way to part people from their hard-earned cash by selling hospital beds to people who don’t need them. Then, many years after, psoriatic arthritis and other chronic conditions all decided to take up long-term residence in my body, and suddenly, the idea of an adjustable bed wasn’t so laughable. It was a necessity.

The night and day difference

Let’s start with the basics: sleep. Or, should I say, the lack thereof?

Psoriatic arthritis and restful sleep usually go together like oil and water. Enter my adjustable bed, stage left, ready to perform its magic. With the ability to raise my head and feet, I finally found positions that didn't make me feel like I was auditioning for a contortionist act.

The zero gravity position, where your body is in a state of perfect equilibrium, has been a game-changer. It’s as if the weight of my pain lifts slightly, allowing me to float away into something resembling a good night's sleep.

Am I waking up in less pain? Yes. The lower back and hip pain that used to greet me each morning has significantly reduced. It's not a cure, but it’s a start.

Pillow fumbling be gone

One of the most frustrating parts of trying to get comfortable with psoriatic arthritis is the endless pillow rearranging. You know the drill: stack them here, shove them there, and pray they don’t collapse mid-movie or, worse, mid-sleep.

With my adjustable bed, I wave goodbye to my nightly pillow juggling act. I can sit up to read or watch TV with a simple push of a button; no precarious pillow towers are required. This little luxury might seem minor, but it’s a sanity saver.

Elevated legs without the hassle

Elevating my legs involved a complicated dance of pillows that never entirely stayed put. Now, I simply adjust the bed, and voila! Instant leg elevation.

This helps with circulation and reduces the swelling that can plague my lower extremities. It's one less battle to fight in my daily war with psoriatic arthritis and other chronic pain.

Snoring less, breathing more

As an added bonus, I’ve noticed I snore less. Maybe it’s the improved sleeping position, or perhaps it’s just that I’m finally getting some decent rest. Whatever the reason, my husband is eternally grateful. A well-rested, less-snore-prone me is a win for everyone involved.

The perfect workspace

On days when a flare-up decides to turn my body into a battleground, the thought of getting out of bed and sitting at a desk is laughable. But with my adjustable bed, I don’t have to. I can prop myself up comfortably, elevate my legs, and work on my laptop right from the comfort of my bed. It’s the perfect setup for those days when my body says, “Nope, not today,” but my brain is still raring to go.

A great investment

Investing in an adjustable bed has been one of my husband's and I's best decisions. It’s not just about the luxury of pressing a button to adjust my position; it’s about the tangible benefits to my health and well-being that make it a welcome addition to my psoriatic arthritis management plan.

Better sleep, less pain, no more pillow fumbling, and a perfect makeshift office on flare-up days—what’s not to love? If you’re on the fence about getting one, let me assure you, it’s a game-changer.

Trust me, your body will thank you.