FREE Joint Pain Programme for people with chronic pain provided by Nuffield Health

[Chanpreet_Walia]

Nuffield Health, the UK's largest healthcare charity, has launched a new Joint Pain Programme designed to help people better self-manage their chronic joint pain. The programme is available at all Nuffield Health gyms across the UK and is a FREE 12-week programme. 

What is the Join Pain Programme?

The Nuffield Health Joint Pain Programme is delivered with the expert guidance of a Rehabilitation Specialist, using a combination of education and physical activity, as well as psychosocial support. The programme will equip people with the knowledge and practical experiences to better manage their pain long-term and achieve their goals.

The programme includes tailored advice on physical activity to help with rehabilitation and covers topics such as pain management, emotional wellbeing, goal setting, improving sleep, eating for recovery and managing pain. 

Previous results from this programme have shown an improvement in participants' mobility, pain, general fitness levels and overall quality of life.

How does the programme work?

- Twice weekly group sessions for 12 weeks

- Each group will have an average of 10 participants

- Sessions are led by a Rehabilitation Specialist

- The programme is free of charge and gives you full access to the gym

- A free Joint Pain Health Check will be completed at the beginning, part way through, and at the end of the programme to show your progress

- The programme is aimed at Non-members but will accept a maximum of two members per group

- Each week, the programme will include two hourly sessions, including: 1) An educational workshop 2) A physical activity session

- After the initial 12 weeks are completed, an additional 12 weeks are offered to allow you to put what you've learnt during the programme into practice.

The programme is open to anyone with:

- Osteoarthritis

- Psoriatic arthritis 

- Rheumatoid arthritis 

- Other arthritis 

- Gout 

- Fibromyalgia 

- Spondylitis 

- Lupus 

- Suffering from chronic pain for many years with no formal diagnosis.

If would like to take part in this programme, apply at nuffieldhealth.com/about-us...

[CSLO]

Thanks Chanpreet. I've applied, awaiting approval!

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK in reply to CSLO]

That's great. Please let us know how you get on!

[Occasion99]

I have done this course and enjoyed it for the most part. However, this as it states is for chronic pain not chronic illness. There were occasions when I found this an issue in terms of understanding and acceptance.

[Bobbydoodle in reply to Occasion99]

Hi

Would you mind explaining what happened in the sessions a little so I have a clearer picture before applying?

[Occasion99 in reply to Bobbydoodle]

of course. There was an initial face to face meeting with the instructor where blood pressure weight and height taken. A discussion about any health issues…that took a while! And then the timing of getting out of a chair walking to a certain point and returning was taken.

We then met as a group, I think there was initially about 10 of us to chat and meet . After that we met twice a week for about an hour as a group. There was a 20 to 30 minute chat about a set topic..eg diet, importance of exercise etc then up to the gym. In the gym there was a group 10 to 15 minute exercise warm up before we either used the cardio or the weights.

Officially the session had ended but some stayed on for longer in the gym or had a swim and some had coffee etc afterwards

[Bobbydoodle in reply to Occasion99]

Thank you I really appreciate that 😊

My first thought is my pain in so invisible and I look ‘fine’ so I would feel like a fraud if there were others there who has obvious disabilities 🙈

[Occasion99 in reply to Bobbydoodle]

same with me, unfortunately as always it’s down to us to explain ourselves and our limitations. I did find my instructor tried to understand but the concept that I got tired or wasn’t improving confused and frustrated him a little,. He should try living with lupus for over 35 years!! 😂

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK in reply to Occasion99]

Hi Occasion99,

Would you happen to remember if lupus was a qualifying condition for the programme when you joined? I appreciate this may have been a while ago but it would help know this. It would be interesting to know if their team have received training about lupus since their last programme which is why it is included in their list.

[Occasion99 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

yes it was. There was another lady with a chronic condition that experienced similar issues.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK in reply to Occasion99]

Thank you for sharing your previous experience with us. This is very helpful!

[Occasion99 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

my pleasure happy to help 😊

[Gizmok9]

is this online based?

[Occasion99 in reply to Gizmok9]

no …in the gym at the Nuffield

[Gizmok9 in reply to Occasion99]

thanks none in my area then

[Occasion99 in reply to Gizmok9]

oh I’m sorry. It didn’t turn me into a gym bunny btw 😂