7. You Overexert Yourself
While it may be tempting to give yourself the most rigorous workout possible, this isn’t a good idea if you have an inflammatory condition such as psoriatic arthritis.
“The key is to listen to your joints during exercise,” says Kolba. “And more importantly, how does it feel later?”
While some level of discomfort after a workout is normal, Kolba says that you shouldn’t ever be above a 4 on a pain scale of 0 to 10, “where 10 is going to the hospital and 0 is no pain at all.” If you’re experiencing anything above a four, he says, you risk aggravating inflammation.
8. You Don’t Use Proper Form
Depending on which of your joints experience the most stiffness and pain, you may instinctively change the way your body is positioned during certain types of exercises — particularly with strength training. This is especially true for people with shoulder or knee issues, Kolba says.
Since using a “faulty movement pattern” can lead to even more muscle and joint issues, Kolba says, if you have significant joint pain or restricted motion, it’s important to work with a trainer or physical therapist to make sure your form is correct.
If you have trouble using the correct form for certain exercises, “we would stay away from those based on how you felt and what we saw,” Kolba notes.