Jack Brereton MP is backing Nuffield Health’s free-to-access programme for people living with chronic joint pain in Stoke.
The 12-week programme, which is led by trained Rehabilitation Specialists, has been designed to help people to self-manage chronic joint pain.
Almost a third of people in the UK (32%, or 20.3m) are living with a musculoskeletal condition, with an estimated 9.6m people reportedly living with a long-term MSK condition such as arthritis or chronic back pain. These conditions also place a huge strain on health services, accounting for one in seven GP appointments, with an estimated 23.3m working days lost due to MSK in 2021, according to the latest national data from Versus Arthritis. [1]
Across the UK almost 6,000 people took part in the programme in 2022, with seven in ten (69%) reporting clinically significant improvements in their condition by week 12. Additionally, of those that were out of employment at the beginning of the programme, 30% said they felt able to return to the workforce by the end.
Having seen the programme in action, Jack Brereton MP said:
"Fantastic to join Nuffield Health and Fitness to learn more of the work they are doing from their centre in Trentham Lakes engaging with the community through their chronic joint pain programme.
“It was fantastic to hear the hugely positive stories from participants about the support they have received and the significant progress since taking part in the programme to help improve their mental and physical health.
“It was also amazing to hear that this programme is completely free for people across North Staffordshire, with Nuffield Health seeking to engage further with GPs and local communities to promote this offering to all those who might benefit from it.
“Thank you to the team at Nuffield Health who welcomed me on the day and for great work the team are doing."
Terri Long, General Manager at the Stoke Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, said:
“Living with joint pain can be debilitating, and unfortunately, we know that it affects many people living in Stoke. Our programme equips people with the knowledge and practical experiences to better manage pain in the long term.
“If anyone is living with long-term joint or back pain, I’d really encourage them to get in touch and see whether this programme is right for them. It’s open to anyone and is completely free.”
The programme follows a group format, with an average of 10 participants, and consist of twice weekly sessions. These include education workshops and exercise classes to help reduce pain and increase mobility, as well as providing the tools to support mental health and understand more about joint pain. The programme is free to access and open to anyone living with chronic joint pain.
More information can be found on Nuffield Health’s website, or anyone interested can contact the Stoke Fitness & Wellbeing Centre directly.
[1] Statistics taken from Versus Arthritis’ “The State of Musculoskeletal Health 2023”.
