Four Stress Reducing Complementary Therapies For Psoriasis

Living with psoriasis isn’t just about dealing with itchy, inflamed skin. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. Stress and psoriasis go hand in hand, making flare-ups worse and turning what could be a good day into a battle with your own skin.

The National Psoriasis Foundation confirms that stress can trigger psoriasis symptoms, pushing your immune system into overdrive. So, what’s the solution? While traditional psoriasis treatments like topical steroids, UVB phototherapy, and topical corticosteroids are helpful, they often work best alongside complementary medicine.

That’s where these four stress-reducing therapies come in. Not only do they help calm your mind, but they also support your skin health by addressing stress at its root. Let’s dive in!

Explore Non-Mainstream Complementary Therapies For Psoriasis Treatment

Complementary therapies for psoriasis are non-mainstream treatments used alongside conventional psoriasis treatments to help manage symptoms. They include mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, aromatherapy, balneotherapy, and herbal remedies.

These therapies aim to reduce stress, lower inflammation, improve skin health, and support overall well-being, but they do not replace medical treatments like topical corticosteroids, UVB phototherapy, or systemic medications.

Benefits Of Complementary Therapies For Psoriasis

Complementary therapies go beyond traditional treatments, offering holistic relief for psoriasis patients. While they don’t replace topical corticosteroids or UVB phototherapy, they help manage stress levels, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and improve overall skin health. Here’s how they can make a difference:

1. Lower Stress, Fewer Flare-Ups

Stress is a major trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. Practices like meditation, yoga, and acupuncture therapy help regulate the nervous system, keeping stress under control. Studies show that people who practice mindfulness-based stress reduction experience up to a 35% improvement in skin symptoms.

2. Support Immune Function

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. Acupuncture therapy and ayurvedic medicine may help balance the body’s immune response, reducing inflammation and slowing the excessive growth of psoriatic lesions.

3. Improve Skin Hydration And Healing

Therapies like aromatherapy, balneotherapy, and climatotherapy nourish the skin. Essential oils such as tea tree and chamomile soothe dry skin, while mineral-rich baths in balneotherapy help repair skin lesions and strengthen the skin’s barrier.

4. Pain And Inflammation Relief

For those with psoriatic arthritis, complementary treatments offer relief beyond medication. Yoga and cupping therapy improve joint flexibility, while essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties can ease muscle tension and pain.

5. Enhance Conventional Treatments

Complementary therapies improve treatment effectiveness when used alongside topical therapy, light therapy, or alternative medicine. JAMA Dermatology reports that combining stress-reduction techniques with standard psoriasis treatment speeds up healing and reduces plaque psoriasis severity.

Mindfulness And Meditation

According to JAMA Dermatology, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has shown promising results in managing psoriasis. Studies indicate that patients who practiced meditation alongside light therapy saw faster skin healing compared to those who only relied on conventional treatment.

How It Helps

Ever notice how stress makes everything feel worse? That’s because stress increases inflammatory cytokines, which can make psoriasis lesions more aggressive. Mindfulness and meditation work by lowering stress levels, helping to reduce psoriasis severity.

How To Practice

• Guided Meditation: Apps like Headspace or Calm can walk you through sessions.
• Deep Breathing Exercises: Inhale for four counts, hold, and exhale slowly.
• Body Scan Technique: Focus on relaxing each part of your body, starting from your toes up to your scalp.
• Daily Mindfulness: Be present while eating, walking, or even washing your face.

Mindfulness isn’t a magic cure, but it’s a simple way to press pause on stress and give your skin condition a break.

Yoga And Gentle Movement Therapy

Best Practices

• Hatha Yoga: Gentle and slow-paced, perfect for beginners.
• Yin Yoga: Deep stretches held for longer, helping to relieve tension.
• Restorative Yoga: Uses props for full relaxation—great after a long day.

Think of yoga as a two-in-one solution. It keeps you physically active while also calming your nervous system. When you stretch and move, you improve blood circulation, helping psoriatic lesions heal faster. Plus, yoga reduces stress, which means fewer psoriasis flares.

Extra Benefits

A few minutes of yoga daily can help your psoriasis treatment work more effectively by keeping your body and mind in balance.

• Improves skin oxygenation, giving your skin a natural glow.
• Lowers cortisol levels, reducing plaque psoriasis severity.
• Enhances flexibility and reduces joint pain, which is helpful for those with psoriatic arthritis.

Aromatherapy And Essential Oils

Scents Affect Stress

Smells have a direct link to our emotions. One whiff of lavender, and suddenly, the world feels a little calmer. Certain essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a great complementary therapy for stress and psoriasis sufferers alike. Here are suggestions to best oils for psoriasis:

• Lavender: Reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation.
• Tea Tree: Known for its antimicrobial benefits, great for scalp psoriasis.
• Chamomile: Soothes both the skin and the nervous system.

How To Use

1. Diffuser Therapy For Stress Reduction

• Add 5–10 drops of essential oil to a diffuser filled with water.
• Inhale the calming aroma to help lower cortisol levels, which can reduce psoriasis flare-ups.
• Best oils: Lavender (relaxing), Chamomile (anti-inflammatory), and Frankincense (immune-supportive).

2. Topical Application For Targeted Relief

• Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil before applying.
• Mix 2–3 drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil.
• Gently massage onto affected areas to reduce psoriatic lesions, dryness, and inflammation.
• Best oils: Tea Tree (antimicrobial), Sandalwood (skin-soothing), and Bergamot (mood-enhancing).

3. Bath Soak For Full-Body Hydration

• Add 8–10 drops of essential oil to warm bathwater mixed with oatmeal or Epsom salt.
• Soak for 15–20 minutes to relieve itchiness, soften skin, and relax muscles.
• Best oils: Geranium (balances oil production), Roman Chamomile (calming), and Eucalyptus (cooling effect).

While alternative medicine like aromatherapy won’t cure chronic plaque psoriasis, it can provide comfort, hydration, and stress relief, making daily life more manageable for psoriasis patients. Always patch-test new oils and consult a dermatologist before use, especially if you have sensitive skin or severe psoriasis.

Acupuncture And Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Balancing The Body’s Energy

Ever tried acupuncture therapy? This ancient alternative therapy is based on the idea that energy imbalances contribute to illness. By inserting fine needles into specific points, acupuncture helps regulate immune function and inflammation. Both are key factors in psoriasis severity.

TCM Herbs For Psoriasis

• Licorice Root: Has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
• Aloe Vera: Soothes dry skin and promotes healing.
• Turmeric: Known for reducing inflammation and supporting skin health.

What To Expect

Scientific studies suggest acupuncture influences the nervous system, helping decrease inflammatory cytokines that worsen psoriatic lesions. Unlike conventional topical therapy, which targets symptoms, acupuncture addresses the underlying imbalances that contribute to psoriasis severity. If you’re new to acupuncture therapy, knowing what to expect can ease any nervousness:

• Needles Are Ultra-Fine: Unlike injection needles, acupuncture needles are tiny and cause minimal discomfort.
• Deep Relaxation: Many patients report a sense of calm during and after sessions, making it beneficial for stress reduction.
• Consistent Sessions Show Results: Like most complementary medicine, acupuncture isn’t a one-time fix. Regular visits may improve psoriasis symptoms over time.

With growing scientific interest, acupuncture is gaining recognition as a valuable complementary therapy for psoriasis treatment. By addressing both stress and inflammation, it offers a holistic approach to managing psoriasis.

Additional Complementary Therapies

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and complementary therapy to promote healing. It involves placing suction cups on the skin to stimulate blood flow, encouraging detoxification, and easing psoriasis flares. By improving circulation, cupping therapy may aid in healing psoriatic lesions and reduce overall inflammation.

• Encourages detoxification, potentially easing psoriasis flares.
• Improves circulation, aiding in the healing of psoriatic lesions.

While more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that cupping therapy supports immune balance and reduces stress, making it a useful alternative therapy for some psoriasis sufferers.

Psychotherapy

Living with moderate psoriasis or severe psoriasis can significantly impact mental health. Many psoriasis sufferers experience anxiety or depression due to the social stigma surrounding skin disease.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-researched method that helps individuals reframe negative thoughts and develop coping strategies for stress management. The therapy improves self-confidence and emotional well-being and breaks the stress-psoriasis cycle. Since stress is a known trigger for psoriasis flares, addressing the emotional toll of the condition is just as important as treating the skin itself.

Advantages Of Therapy In Stress Management

• Helps break the stress-psoriasis cycle.
• Improves self-confidence and emotional well-being.

Balneotherapy And Climatotherapy

• Balneotherapy: Healing baths using mineral-rich waters.
• Climatotherapy: Treatments that use natural climate elements like sunlight and salt water.

Well, these two therapies use natural elements to support psoriasis treatment. Balneotherapy involves healing baths infused with mineral-rich waters, while climatotherapy relies on environmental factors like sunlight and salt water to improve skin health. The minerals in Dead Sea treatments, sulfur baths, and thermal waters can reduce psoriasis severity and soothe skin lesions.

Research indicates that these therapies improve the psoriasis area by reducing inflammation and supporting skin cell regeneration. Incorporating natural treatments like these into a skincare routine can complement medical treatments and relieve chronic plaque psoriasis.

Integrating Complementary Therapies Into Psoriasis Treatment

Using complementary therapy alongside conventional methods can improve results. Topical therapy and light therapy work better when stress is under control. A 2023 study in JAMA Dermatology found that patients combining alternative therapy with standard psoriasis treatment reported a 35% improvement in skin health.

Listen To Your Body

Everyone’s psoriasis reacts differently. Some people find ayurvedic medicine helps, while others respond better to UVB phototherapy. Pay attention to what calms your mind and soothes your skin condition. If something worsens your symptoms, adjust your approach.

Consult Your Dermatologist

Before starting any alternative medicine, speak with your doctor. Certain therapies, like herbal remedies, can interfere with topical corticosteroids or increase skin sensitivity. A Mayo Clinic report highlights that complementary medicine works best when integrated safely into your routine.

Create A Routine That Works

• Start small—add one therapy at a time.
• Track your progress with a symptom journal.
• Combine stress-reducing practices with your prescribed psoriasis treatment.

There are risks associated with using complementary therapies for psoriasis, including potential interactions with conventional treatments and variability in effectiveness; consulting a healthcare provider is crucial. Managing moderate psoriasis or severe psoriasis requires patience, but with the right balance of therapies, you can take control of your health.

Conclusion

Stress and psoriasis vulgaris go hand in hand, but the good news is that you can take control. Complementary therapies offer a natural, holistic way to manage moderate to severe psoriasis.

They help reduce stress, support the immune system, and improve overall well-being. Find what works for your body. This can enhance your psoriasis treatment journey. Try them out, mix and match, and find what works best for your skin condition. Your skin and your sanity will thank you!

FAQs

1.How Do Omega-3 Supplements Impact Psoriasis?

Omega-3 supplements impact psoriasis by potentially reducing inflammation, which may improve symptoms; however, more research is needed to establish their efficacy.

2.What Is The Effectiveness Of Dead Sea Salt Baths In Treating Psoriasis?

Dead Sea salt baths may effectively treat psoriasis by reducing scaling and inflammation, possibly due to the region’s high mineral content and natural sunlight exposure.

3.What Is Goeckerman Therapy For Psoriasis?

Goeckerman therapy is a treatment regimen for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis that combines the application of crude coal tar with ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy. Developed in 1925 by dermatologist William H. Goeckerman, this therapy aims to reduce skin cell proliferation and inflammation associated with psoriasis.

4.Can Manuka Honey Be Used As A Treatment For Psoriasis?

Manuka honey can be used as a treatment for psoriasis due to its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest it may help reduce skin inflammation and improve symptoms when applied to affected areas.

5.What Role Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Play In Treating Psoriasis?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats psoriasis by utilizing practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. These methods aim to balance the body’s energy, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin health.

6.Can Probiotics Influence Psoriasis Management?

Probiotics can influence psoriasis management by promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which may modulate immune responses and reduce systemic inflammation, potentially improving psoriasis symptoms.

7.How Does Turmeric Supplementation Affect Psoriasis?

Turmeric supplementation affects psoriasis by providing curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce inflammation and improve skin health in individuals with psoriasis.

8.Is Phototherapy Considered A Complementary Treatment For Psoriasis?

Phototherapy is considered a complementary treatment for psoriasis, involving controlled exposure to ultraviolet light to slow skin cell turnover and reduce inflammation, often used alongside other therapies.