Paula Abdul says that as a performer, she never lets anything get in her way, and certainly not arthritis.
Five years ago, Abdul’s doctor told her she had osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that can cause stiffness and pain, reports PEOPLE magazine. The common condition common affects more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The diagnosis came as a relief to Abdul.
“I kept thinking, at least it wasn’t something in my head,” she tells PEOPLE. “There was a reason attached to what I was feeling.”
Teaming up with Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel for the launch of its over-the-counter offering, Abdul says she uses the gel on her ankles, knees and other joints when they feel tight.
“I’m not going to let pain keep me down,” she says.
The singer also encourages other arthritis patients to stay active and says she likes to mix up her workout routine with low-impact strength exercises and online Zumba classes.
“Every day I try to wake up and think, ‘What can I do today that’s going to make me happy?’ ” she says.
“Walking is very underrated. I’ll put on my AirPods and listen to Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake — and just sing at the top of my lungs and swing to the beat.”