Here are five things compression clothing can do for you:
1. Alleviate the Perception of Pain
According to Karena Wu, a doctor of physical therapy and the owner and clinical director at ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City, compression clothing can ease the pain of psoriatic arthritis by reducing stress on key pressure points.
2. Minimize Inflammation
For people with PsA, “Swelling tends to happen in hands and feet,” says Jesse Lewis, a doctor of physical therapy and the founder of District Performance & Physio in Washington, DC. The body typically has difficulty reducing swelling in the extremities, he says, but compression clothing can help. According to Dr. Wu, putting on a piece of compression clothing before starting an activity that typically produces swelling can also head off complications and keep inflammation to a minimum.
3. Reduce Flare-Ups
“If you’re trying to prevent a psoriatic arthritis flare-up during an activity that typically leads to problems, wear the compression sleeve the whole time and then keep it on for one to two hours afterward,” says Dr. Lewis.
4. Provide a Sense of Joint Stability
According to Lewis, “Compression clothing can help some patients by giving them a sense of joint stability. Depending on the symptoms, it can be worn almost all day.”
5. Support Muscles
“Compression material is designed to support muscles as well as improve joint stability, which in turn reduces soreness,” says Chris Tutt, a physical therapist and co-CEO of ProActive Physical Therapy Specialists, which operates numerous facilities in Washington and Oregon. “Compression sleeves definitely have a place in helping those with psoriatic arthritis.” Compression clothing can make it easier for people with PsA to engage in aerobic exercise (the low-impact type is easier on your joints) and strength training. For anyone with PsA, exercise can be very beneficial: “It may help alleviate symptoms, enhance mood, and increase flexibility and strength,” says Jeanine Robotti, the clinic director and a physical therapist at Physio Logic in New York City. People with psoriatic arthritis who decide to take part in any kind of exercise regimen should do so within a medically supervised program under the supervision of a physical therapist who understands their unique needs, says Tutt. One warning: Don’t wear compression clothing on parts of the body where the skin is red, scaly, or otherwise irritated (other common symptoms of PsA), as this can make these problems worse.
