Free seminars will educate about arthritis

Sufferers of arthritis and their loved ones are invited to attend a series of free seminars about the painful condition.

The seminars are designed to help people learn about the different types of arthritis, the options available to help manage symptoms and how exercise can be beneficial for the condition.

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints that will affect about 530,000 Kiwis during their lifetime.

There are about 140 different forms of arthritis. The most common is osteoarthritis, usually associated with old age.

But arthritis is not restricted to older people. More than 1000 young New Zealand people are affected by if at any one time.

The seminars are being held by the University of Auckland’s Exercise Rehabilitation Clinic in conjunction with Arthritis New Zealand.

The next seminars, to be held on August 17, cover two topics.

The first session at 10am will cover ‘‘Employment and arthritis: the issues and the law’’ and will be presented by Arthritis New Zealand advocacy manager Francesca Holloway with employment lawyer Scott Worthy.

The second session at 12.30pm will discuss ‘‘Inflammatory arthritis: the latest information, treatment and what you can do’’. The presenters will be rheumatologist Michael Corkill and arthritis educator Georgina Greville.

It will be followed by a brief session on whether a lack of physical activity can worsen the condition.

Both sessions will be held at the University of Auckland Clinics, Tamaki Campus.