Problem-Solving Products Psoriatic Arthritis Warriors Swear By

From healthcentral.com

Even when your meds are working, pain and skin symptoms slip through. We asked our PsA community for items that really make a difference when you need relief 

You can spend a lot of time and money searching for tools that make your life easier with a chronic condition like psoriatic arthritis (PsA), What you really need is to ask people who’ve lived with PsA long enough to have done the trial-and-error work for you. We spoke to three psoriatic arthritis warriors to find out what products have been game-changers for their joints or skin. What is on their must-have shopping list? Their picks may not be sexy or flashy, but they’re the type of present that lets your loved one know: I get you.

Biofreeze

When Hannah Greetham, 29, from Lincolnshire, England, is experiencing aches and pains during a PsA flare, she uses Biofreeze (cold therapy pain relief for sore muscles and joints and arthritic pain) throughout the day. It took Greetham a long time to get a diagnosis of PsA after many years of trying to manage symptoms on her own. “It helps massively—I can really feel it working to temporarily ease pain,” she explains.

https://www.amazon.com/Biofreeze-Professional-Relieving-Analgesic-Arthritis/dp/B01GZQ4FZI

Sketcher Slip-Ins

Greetham often gets really bad aches and pains in the joints in her feet and swollen feet and ankles. But standing and walking is difficult to avoid due to her job (and passion) working with horses. “The only footwear that helps me walk properly and fits my swollen feet is Sketcher Slip-Ins, due to the memory foam insoles,” she says.

https://www.skechers.com/skechers-slip-ins-summits---new-daily/150263_TPE.html

Countrydale Classic Leggings

Whether she’s out with the horses or at home, Greetham’s go-to outfit always includes Countrydale Classic. “They really help with the swelling in my legs, due to great compression,” she says. “Plus, the high waist band provides good back support and they’re super comfortable and stretchy.”

https://www.countrydale.com/products/classic-pull-on-riding-leggings-black

Westlab Epsom Salts

A warm bath can help to ease joint pain, stiffness, and psoriatic skin issues, per the Arthritis Foundation. “I use Westlab Epsom Salts most nights in my bath,” says Greetham. “They really help me relax my aching muscles and joints, and I seem to then get a better night’s sleep.”

https://www.amazon.com/Westlab-Epsom-Resealable-Stand-Pouch/dp/B0733PBRKH

Dove Soap

Research shows around 85% of people with psoriatic arthritis also have a history of skin psoriasis (PsO)—which can rule out a lot of skincare and beauty holiday gifts that may contain triggering ingredients. “After having psoriasis for 50 years, I’ve really come to understand that constant skin care is mandatory for me,” says Tracy Davenport, 62, of Centreville, MD. Davenport first developed psoriasis around age 12, followed by a PsA diagnosis as a young adult. In the five decades following her psoriasis diagnosis, Davenport has come to rely on simple Dove soap to keep flares at bay: “It has no fragrance or colouring and is gentle and less drying than other soaps I have tried.”

https://www.amazon.com/Dove-Anti-Stress-Blue-Chamomile-Moisturizes/dp/B0CP5N76KT

Eucerin Lotion

Living with psoriasis typically means moisturizing multiple times a day. “Keeping my skin moist is critical to keeping my psoriasis in low gear,” says Davenport. “If my skin gets dry, then it can get itchy, and that almost always leads to a psoriasis breakout. Eucerin is gentle on my skin, but it also stays put longer than a lot of lotions I have experimented with over the years.”

https://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Intensive-Repair-Lotion-Bottle/dp/B000XY9LT4

Vitamin C Serum

Many “anti-aging” products contain retinol, which many people with psoriasis find too harsh for their skin. Instead, Davenport uses vitamin C serum on her face twice a day. “This has also shown ‘anti-aging’ qualities in the literature, but doesn’t seem to bother or dry out my skin,” she explains.

https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Serum-Face-Ageing-Brightening/dp/B07P5TMHD9

Thick Yoga Pants

With sons and grandsons in North Carolina and a house in Florida, Davenport flies a lot! “Planes can be cold, which can be a trigger for my joint pain,” she reveals. “So I always dress really warm when I fly—usually the same outfit of thick yoga pants that keep me feeling warm and comfortable throughout the flights and also let me stretch a little before sitting for hours.”

https://www.amazon.com/GYM-PEOPLE-Pockets-Control-Leggings/dp/B07HQPKDZB

Weekly Pill Organizer

Managing multiple medications can be overwhelming. “My weekly pill container is a true lifesaver,” says Emily Hertzberg, 42, of East Meadow, NY. She’s been juggling both PsA and PsO since age 21, and shares her experience with psoriatic disease on her Instagram page to help other PsA warriors feel supported and empowered. “My pill container keeps everything organized and ensures I never miss a dose, especially on those brain fog days when time blurs,” she says.

https://www.amazon.com/EZY-DOSE-Organizer-Compartments-Arthritis/dp/B001OK1YUA/

Heating Pad/Blanket

When PsA joint pain or stiffness sets in, gentle heat can bring instant relief. “I use my heating pad to loosen tight joints, ease muscle tension, and bring comfort during flare days,” says Hertzberg. “It’s like a warm hug for my body!”

https://www.amazon.com/GENIANI-Heating-Relief-Stomach-Adjustable/dp/B0BL157L8M

Flexible Ice Sleeve

A flexible ice sleeve is Hertzberg's go-to for inflammation and swelling. “I use this on and off for a few days to relieve my hot, achy joints,” she explains. “It moulds perfectly around sore knees, elbows, or wrists, giving cooling relief without the mess of ice packs or dripping towels.”

https://www.amazon.com/IceSleeve-Reusable-Flexible-Injuries-Compression/dp/B0DZZLY62Y/

Compression Gloves/Sleeves

Daily tasks can be difficult when PsA flares, but compression gloves or sleeves help to keep swelling joints and provide crucial support. “Whether I’m typing, cooking, or scrolling on my phone, these reduce pain and stiffness so I can stay functional and comfortable,” Hertzberg says.

https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Compression-Arthritis-Gloves-GUARANTEED/dp/B00ZO4WW7Q/

Ergonomic Seat Cushion/Support Pillow

As a teacher and blog writer, Hertzberg often spends long periods sitting. “Comfort truly matters,” she says. “A supportive cushion protects my joints, helps with posture, and makes it easier to work or travel without extra pain.”

https://www.amazon.com/Seat-Cushion-Office-Chair-Desk/dp/B01EBDV9BU/

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Non-Surgical Procedure Halves Knee Pain Over 12-Month Trial

From sciencealert.com

Osteoarthritis in the knees can be very painful and very hard to treat. It often occurs when the protective cartilage around the bones wears away, and in the most severe cases, it may require surgery and a knee replacement to provide relief for patients.

As the most common form of arthritis, it brings discomfort to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

                                                                                                    (Quantic69/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Now, in a bid to tackle that health crisis, researchers led by a team from the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany have developed a new treatment approach that's minimally invasive, safe, and impressively effective.

It's based on a procedure called genicular artery embolization (GAE), which targets the abnormal blood vessels and additional pain-sensing nerves associated with osteoarthritis. Close off those blood vessels, the thinking goes, and the nerves (and pain) quieten down.

The treatment was designed to restrict blood flow in specific arteries (shown with arrows). (Fleckenstein et al., Radiology, 2026)

GAE itself isn't new — it's been used for several years — but the material used to block the blood vessels in this observational study is still in its early days.

Previous blocking agents were antibiotics, which risked further inflammation and raised concerns about the spread of antibiotic resistance, but here the team used microscopic gel beads that gradually dissolve in the bloodstream.

"GAE is a whole new treatment regimen that targets abnormal hypervascularity around the joint and, in turn, modulates the pathological neurovascular environment," says radiologist Florian Nima Fleckenstein, from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

"By reducing both inflammation and pain, GAE with resorbable microspheres may be the first procedure that alters the course of the disease, slowing its progression."

These "resorbable microspheres" are injected into the knee in a procedure that doesn't need lengthy preparation or an extended hospital stay.

They then get to work blocking blood flow specifically through the additional blood vessels and nerves that have appeared with osteoarthritis — not interfering with blood flow to the knee in general.

Measurements, including quality of life (QOL), improved over time. (Fleckenstein et al., Radiology, 2026)

The blockage (embolization) isn't permanent, as the microscopic gelatine balls disappear within hours, but they help to break the cycle of inflammation and joint pain.

"By embolizing the pathological vessels, we're able to normalize the vessel structure – and, in turn, the neuronal structure of the knee," says Fleckenstein.

"In our cohort, we saw a significant drop in pain and a significant increase in function, including sports and recreation and daily activity. Most importantly, their quality of life significantly increased."

The numbers show how effective the treatment was.

The study followed 194 people receiving the treatment for osteoarthritis-related knee pain, with a mean age of 69, and who hadn't previously responded to treatment with physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, or intra-articular injections.

At the start of the 12-month study period, the average baseline pain intensity was 7 out of 10; by the end, it was 3 out of 10. Scores for daily activity, involvement in sports and recreation, quality of life, and osteoarthritis-related symptoms all improved significantly. No notable side effects were reported either.

"We believe these results carry real weight because they come from real-world data. With this broad, inclusive study design, our participants are exactly the patients that physicians encounter every day in their practices," says Fleckenstein.

"For the right patient, it can mean lasting relief from a single, minimally invasive procedure – a meaningful new option between injections and joint replacement."

While the study didn't involve a control group for comparison, and all the participants came from one hospital, the fact that the treatment worked across the board is hugely encouraging – and means it's an option that's definitely worth pursuing.

Future research can look at larger groups of people for longer periods of time (past the 12-month mark), while a fully randomized clinical trial would prove its effectiveness compared to an alternative treatment or a placebo.

There's still work to do then, but together with other promising treatments, there's fresh hope for treating this debilitating disease.

"For many patients with knee osteoarthritis, there is a real treatment gap today," says Fleckenstein. "Conservative measures such as intra-articular injections no longer provide sufficient relief, but joint replacement is not an option for medical or personal reasons."

The research has been published in Radiology.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-new-non-surgical-procedure-provides-lasting-relief-for-knee-pain 

Joint pain isn’t always arthritis: 7 warning signs women shouldn’t ignore

From healthshots.com

By Dr Sharmila Tulpule 

Joint pain is a warning, not a diagnosis. Checking early signs of join pain will help you identify the cause and get the right treatment 

Joint pain is one of those things that many people think, “Oh, that’s just part of getting older” or “That’s just part of working too hard” or “I may have arthritis”. But for women, when they are in the middle of juggling their careers, keeping their homes running, and taking care of their families, it’s easy for them to sweep their constant discomforts or joint pain issues under the rug. Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of joint pain in women, but there are several other types of medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, hormonal changes, infections, and nutritional deficiencies, among others, that cause this pain.

The sooner these warning signs are recognized, the better the chance of avoiding any long-term problems from these underlying medical conditions, Dr Sharmila Tulpule, orthopaedic surgeon and regenerative medicine specialist, tells Health Shots.

Persistent joint pain, swelling, or morning stiffness may indicate more than arthritis and should be evaluated by a doctor. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Warning signs that women in joint pain should not ignore

1. Stiffness of the joints in the morning for longer than an hour with pain

It is typically normal to experience some stiffness after being inactive, but if, after sleeping, you find that your joints are stiff beyond an hour each day, this could be a sign of an inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or RA) rather than simply a degenerative joint type of arthritis. Early identification of these issues is critically important because if diagnosed quickly, the treatment can prevent severely damaged joints and enable the patient to retain function in those same joints.

2. Swelling, redness, and warmth in the area of the joint

Noticeable swelling, redness, or warmth in a joint can indicate that there is an inflammatory process taking place, or an infection or autoimmunity. They should not be self-treated with just over-the-counter pain relievers, especially if they have occurred recently or have worsened over time.

3. The pain is caused by multiple joints being affected

Arthritis from age is mostly found in the larger bones of the skeleton that bear our body weight—for example, hips and knees. However, when several joints are involved at the same time, especially smaller joints—hands, wrists, ankles, and feet—this might indicate a systemic disease like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or thyroid issues.

4. Feeling tired continuously along with pain in the joints

If you are always tired no matter how well rested you are, it should raise a red flag. Fatigue, when there is joint pain present, could be from an autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, and/or a vitamin deficiency. Many women mistakenly identify fatigue as a stress-related reason. However, if you have had fatigue for an extended period of time, you should consult your doctor.

                                                 Persistent tiredness can be linked to many health problems. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

5. Joint pain following fever or infection

Following a viral or other type of infection, a feverish experience will often leave behind rheumatic joint pain that should be considered very seriously. Some infections can create acute inflammatory reactions in your joints, and if not adequately treated, will potentially lead to chronic inflammatory conditions of your joints.

6. Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite

If you experience any unexplained weight loss or a lack of appetite, there may also be a systemic disease process underlying your arthritic joint pain. It should therefore require immediate evaluation to determine if there are serious underlying illnesses.

7. Difficulty performing everyday activities

Difficulty with daily activities due to joint pain is a sign of how poorly the patient’s condition impacts their quality of life as well as their ability to live independently. Obtaining timely medical counsel at this stage should allow for determining the cause and then starting an appropriate treatment course.

In many cases, women place the wellness of their family’s health ahead of their own. Nevertheless, chronic or atypical joint discomfort should not go unrecognized or be treated as a natural consequence of advancing years. Timely evaluation by a qualified physician will assist in evaluating the cause of the problem and potential risk for future development, as well as increase mobility and create an environment that enhances overall quality of life.

https://www.healthshots.com/preventive-care/self-care/joint-pain-isnt-always-arthritis-7-warning-signs-women-shouldnt-ignore/