News and Views from the region
Course to help arthritis
A six-week course to help people living with arthritis manage their pain and fatigue and develop a healthy lifestyle will commence in Drogheda on February 25th.
The ‘Living Well with Arthritis’ self-management course gives people with arthritis the tools and techniques to help them better manage their condition. The award-winning course will be held in the Scholars Townhouse Hotel, Drogheda and costs €35 for the six weeks. A discounted rate is available for medical card holders. Classes run on Tuesday evenings from 7pm -9.30pm.
The course is suitable for people with any form of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or related conditions like fibromyalgia or lupus.
Participants learn about pain and fatigue management; healthy lifestyle and the importance of healthy eating; dealing with negative emotions; and exercise techniques for weak and damaged joints.
Eric Boyle from Drogheda is a self-management leader and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2014. “At the time I was diagnosed, I was scheduled for knee replacement surgery. On the course, I learned about exercise and living well with my condition. Subsequently, I qualified as a course leader, and also as an activity leader, an aqua aerobic instructor and a train the trainer leader,” he said.
“This programme has been proven to be an essential part of effective arthritis treatment. After completing the course, people are able to do things that they couldn’t before, they experience improvements in their mobility, mood and in their quality of life. For myself, I know how much it helped me on my journey in living with arthritis,” Mr Boyle stated.
Places are limited on the course. To book, visit the Arthritis Ireland website, www.arthritisireland.ie, phone 01 647 0206 or email training@ arthritisireland.ie.