(Vancouver, B.C.) — Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) today launched a new course: JointHealth™ Education – Arthritis and Exercise. Since its 2016 launch, JointHealth™ Education has helped thousands of people living with arthritis become equal and active partners with their health care providers, helping them choose and manage their overall treatment and care plan. This new education course is informed by the specific exercise needs of people living with arthritis and developed in partnership with exercise experts trained in the field. It provides the latest research information and guidance to promote safe and effective exercise to help maximize its benefits.
Course highlights include:
- Understanding arthritis and exercise
- Effective exercises for arthritis
- Creating an exercise plan
- Exercise precautions and safety tips
- Overcoming exercise barriers
- Monitoring and adapting your exercise program
In its National Survey on Arthritis and Exercise, ACE learned a majority of respondents reported taking part in recreational activities, exercise programs or classes, and individual activities prior to their arthritis diagnosis. The main reasons that exercise routines changed after receiving their diagnosis were pain, fatigue, lack of confidence and motivation. These findings suggest that many respondents understand the benefits of exercise, yet they experience significant barriers that are not recognized or addressed by the healthcare system.
“The JointHealth™ Education ‘Arthritis and Exercise’ course is another ground-breaking, dynamic education tool created by, for and with people with arthritis. We are just like everyone else who don’t have it – they want to live as full a life as possible, and that includes participating in physical activities like recreational or competitive sports,” said Cheryl Koehn, person with rheumatoid arthritis and President of Arthritis Consumer Experts. “When you have arthritis, it’s hard to know how much to do or how hard to push yourself, especially your joints. The information in this course is based on the latest research and practical to follow. I think our members and the public with arthritis will really find the Arthritis and Exercise course invaluable to getting back to – or continuing on – with exercise.”
Visit JointHealth™ Education – Arthritis and Exercise to start your course today. There are six lessons and quizzes (downloadable PDFs included) and videos highlighting key learning points covered by a trained arthritis exercise professional.
About Arthritis Consumer Experts
Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) is a national, patient-led organization that provides free, science-based information and education programs to people living with arthritis. We serve people living with all forms of arthritis by helping them take control of their disease and improve their quality of life through education and (em)powerment. Founded and led by people with arthritis, ACE also actively advocates on arthritis health and policy issues, through ACE’s JointHealth™ family of programs, directly to consumers/patients, health care professionals, media, and government. Our work is directed by a strict set of guiding principles, set out by an expert advisory board comprised of leading scientists, medical professionals and informed arthritis consumers.
Arthritis Consumer Experts and its team members acknowledge that they gather and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are committed to walking forward on the path of Truth and Reconciliation, in part by recognizing the important connection between the land and the health of the Coast Salish Peoples.
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For further information, please contact:
Kelly Lendvoy
Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
Arthritis Consumer Experts
lendvoy@jointhealth.org
Tel: 604.379.9898