Effective Ways I've Managed My Knee and Back Pain

Psoriatic arthritis has literally been a pain in the knee and back for me. I used to love taking jogs or going for a run. These days all I can manage now is a walk no longer than 30 minutes.

Triggering knee and back pain from psoriatic arthritis

The air conditioning has also become my little enemy. It just sends biting sensations once it becomes too cold for me. Even my sitting posture has had to change over time. Keeping my legs crossed for too long makes them stiff and painful to release.

Pain is rarely isolated or localized in your body. The rest of your joints must compensate for each time we attempt to relieve pressure off it. In my case, my lower back has had to bear the brunt of this.

Looking for a silver lining instead

I have had people say to me over the years, "You poor thing." Or I might even think "poor me." Is this really the headspace I should be putting myself into every day? I don’t think so.

I recently lost my young cousin to cancer. The biggest thing that created such a deep impression upon me was her optimism and open-mindedness. While she had her moments of sadness, she always focused on what she could still be grateful for in her life. She would say, “I have a bed to sleep on and food to eat every day and I’m happy.” In that same spirit, I have been reminded to focus on my own silver linings. I am still able-bodied, and my inconveniences should not hamper me from experiencing joy every day that I can.

Simple stretching helps

Learning stretch techniques to ease the pain from psoriatic arthritis in my knees and back have been such a welcome relief. My favorites have been stretching my quadriceps and hamstrings. I found that when I focused on these 2 muscle groups, the pain would become more manageable. Take it from me to never stretch lying down on your bed. It doesn't help your back.

Have you also heard of the child’s pose in yoga? I do it every morning and whenever I begin to feel the strain as the day progresses. It takes away the tightness I feel by gently loosening the back muscles. This is highly recommended by me.

Stress is the ultimate evil

By now we should already know that experiencing stress for prolonged periods increases the duration and intensity of our flare-ups. Have you tried any methods to help you manage your stress better? It is so important for all of us to be especially sensitive to what external or internal factors are creating an unhealthy amount of pressure for us.

If you’re working at capacity and cannot take on anymore projects, discuss this with your manager so that he or she is aware. You may also choose to disclose your diagnosis with them to avoid beating around the bush or if you’re worried about being perceived as incompetent.

If you had recently lost your job or have been struggling to look for employment, you are not alone. I pray that help will find its way to you but, in the meantime, I am just asking you to look after your mental health. Take care and I hope reading this has brought you some comfort and joy.

Does psoriatic arthritis cause knee and back pain for you? What helps you with this pain? Share in the comments below!