While morning stiffness is often the worst part of PMR, staying still for long periods during the day can also cause muscles and joints to tighten up again. Gentle, regular movement throughout the day may help reduce stiffness, maintain mobility, and prevent muscles from becoming deconditioned, Birnbaum says.
Birnbaum, who was diagnosed with PMR in 2000, suggests short walks, light stretching or changing positions to keep the body moving without overexertion. You could even set an hourly timer to remind yourself to get up for a pace around the home, Steinbarger says.
Yoga and tai chi also help maintain flexibility over time for people with PMR, says Aixa Toledo-Garcia, MD, a rheumatologist and the chief medical officer at the Center for Rheumatology, which has several locations in New York state. “[They] can help mitigate steroid-associated muscle atrophy, improve flexibility, and reduce stiffness and pain,” she says.
They’re also great for mobility, balance, and reducing the risk of falls, Steinbarger notes.
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