|
|
|
|
ARMA Newsletter December 2025
|
|
|
|
A Christmas Message from ARMA’s CEO
|
|
|
As the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on my first six months in post. Since joining ARMA in June, I’ve met almost all our members and associate members. I’ve been heartened by your generosity, honesty, and commitment to improving MSK health for millions of people.
|
I’ve drunk more tea and coffee than is advisable (although some were ‘virtual’, so they don’t count), heard brilliant ideas from every corner of the MSK community, and come across more jargon, acronyms and abbreviations than I knew existed. I now regularly find myself in conversations where MSK, ICSs, ICBs, FLS, OA, RA, JIA, AHPs, FCPs, APPs, PROMs, PREMs and MDTs all appear in the same sentence – usually before I’ve finished my first cup of tea. I’m thinking of inventing some myself just to confuse you too.
|
Together we’ve shaped the foundations of our new strategy, strengthened our policy voice and championed prevention, neighbourhood MSK health and more equitable support for people of all ages. We’ve built new relationships, reignited old ones, and re-affirmed the importance of ARMA.
|
As we head into the festive season, I want to thank you for your support, your wisdom, and your willingness to collaborate.
|
Merry Christmas and a healthy, hopeful, happy New Year from all of us at ARMA.
|
|
|
|
|
We are recruiting
|
We have an exciting opportunity to drive ARMA’s engagement with political and health sector stakeholders and lead our communications. Working closely with the CEO, you'll help raise the profile of the Alliance, influence policy outcomes, and support members to collaborate to effect change.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMA Launches New Policy Position on MSK Prevention
|
|
|
Too often, prevention is seen as something that happens in clinics, but true prevention starts long before that. It’s about creating the conditions that make good MSK health possible for everyone, everywhere.
|
ARMA’s new policy position paper on MSK prevention calls for a broader, more connected approach. With over 20 million people in the UK affected by MSK conditions prevention must be at the heart of national and local strategies. The benefits are clear, fewer people living in pain, more people staying active and independent, and stronger, more resilient communities.
|
|
Our paper sets out three priorities for action:
|
|
|
|
-
Start early and act across the life course.
|
Good MSK health begins in childhood, is supported through adulthood by active environments and safe workplaces, and continues into later life through movement, falls prevention, and rehabilitation.
|
-
Join up systems and services.
|
Prevention works best when sectors collaborate. Local MSK networks should bring together healthcare, employers, community organisations, and fitness providers to offer early, holistic support.
|
-
Create health, not just deliver care.
|
MSK prevention depends on the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape our daily lives.
|
Prevention can’t be achieved by the NHS alone. It’s everyone’s business and local authorities, employers, educators, and communities all have a part to play.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOA Ortho Update course 2026
|
Don’t miss out on a place on the Ortho Update course on Saturday 10th January 2026, in Manchester, run by the British Orthopaedic Association.
|
The course is designed to deliver teaching on important/hot topics and clinical examination skills to cover various aspects of the orthopaedic curriculum over a 3-year cycle.
|
|
|
SOMM's Spinal Masterclass course
|
SOMM announces a new date for the One-Day Spinal Manual Therapy Masterclass course Saturday 28th March 2026 – SOMM HQ, Liverpool. This one-day course aims to provide clinicians with a great overview of the current evidence base surrounding Manual Therapy and allow students to learn new effective treatment techniques for the Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar spine.
|
|
|
Chiro Live 2025: The Highlights
|
How the BCA honoured 100 years of the Association and inspired the future of chiropractic
|
The British Chiropractic Association’s (BCA) landmark conference, Chiro Live 2025: Celebrating Excellence, Shaping the Future, concluded earlier this month, leaving a profound and indelible mark on the profession.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthritis UK's new SKILLs Sessions
|
SKILLs Sessions are a brand-new series of free-to-attend monthly webinars from Arthritis UK, driven by feedback from the SKILLs Community.
|
The webinars will cover the most in-demand MSK topics.
Registration is essential.
|
Upcoming SKILLs Sessions will focus on: Fibromyalgia; Supporting people with obesity; and Gout.
|
|
|
|
Arthritis UK's MSK Bitesize webinar
|
This is a 3-hour webinar on a wide range of MSK conditions that can present in primary care and the role of physical activity in preventing and managing MSK conditions. Topics include inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, and more.
|
Thursday 16th April 2026, 6pm - 9pm on Microsoft Teams
£60
|
|
|
|
Core Skills in MSK Care, Belfast
|
This training focuses on developing the practical skills required in a typical 10-minute primary care consultation. Our training provides delegates a supportive environment to develop their confidence and skills in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with MSK conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preparing for the festive season
|
We know that December can be a busy and stressful month, especially when you have a long-term condition. NRAS has therefore added a new section to their website, which features lots of tips to help you through the festive season and into the new year. Find it here.
|
|
|
Watch all the previous NRAS Lives
|
NRAS has just completed their last NRAS Live of 2025 – but all their previous online events can be viewed as recordings. Including topics such as diet, stress, menopause, foot health and many more. You can view them all on the NRAS Youtube channel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sharing good practice in Africa
|
Professor Tony Woolf is putting Cornwall on the map. Through his work and experience, former ARMA Chair Professor Tony Woolf has made many connections in many different countries and is keen to share good practice, learn from others and help teach and up skill local workforces in across the world. In Cornwall Arthritis Trust's latest podcast, Tony talks about his …
|
|
|
Check out CAT Podcast No. 2
|
The Cornwall Arthritis Trust is thrilled to be partnering again with Sally Crabtree from Art Connexion to share this, their second podcast episode. Tune in for inspiring interviews with leading voices—including Professor Tony Woolf and Rachel Faulkner, plus practical tips and empowering advice for anyone living with Arthritis or other MSK conditions. Whether you're looking for expert insights or just …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arthritis Action Impact Report
|
Arthritis Action has launched their 2024/2025 Impact Report.
|
Commenting on the report, Shantel Irwin Arthritis Action’s CEO said:
|
“I am tremendously pleased at the progress we have made to consolidate our goals in this second year of our current business strategy. This report shows we are getting it right with those who count; our Members and service users report extremely high levels of satisfaction; our relationships with healthcare professionals and partners has deepened; and our dedicated team have expanded the reach of our events, groups and presentations by over 50% this year. With this momentum, we are well-positioned to support even more people in the years to come through our personalised, evidence-based approach to managing arthritis.”
|
If you would like further information or to speak to us about the Impact Report please contact ann@arthritisaction.org.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Academic Survey: Massage Therapy for Chronic MSK Pain
|
|
|
Researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands invite people to take a survey as part of a research study about how people living with chronic MSK to share their views on massage therapy as a form of pain management.
|
The survey is open until 31st January 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARMA Calendar
| 10 Jan 2026 |
BOA's, Ortho Update course, Manchester |
| 12 Jan 2026 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine applications open |
| 28 Jan 2026, 2–6pm |
ORUK Joint Venture: MSK Innovation Network, London |
| 28 Jan 2026, 7–8pm |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Fibromyalgia |
| 31 Jan 2026 |
Chronic MSK Pain Massage Therapy survey closes |
| 25 Feb 2026, 7–8pm |
Arthritis UK webinar: Good practice with obesity |
| 11 Mar 2026, 9–5pm |
Arthritis UK's Core Skills in MSK Care, Belfast |
| 25 Mar 2026, 7–8pm |
Arthritis UK SKILLs webinar: Gout |
| 28 Mar 2026 |
SOMM Spinal Manual Therapy Masterclass, Liverpool |
| 16 Apr 2026, 6–9pm |
Arthritis UK’s MSK Bitesize webinar |
| 28 May 2026 |
FSEM Diploma in MSK Medicine exam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We know that many people value our newsletter, webinars and the fact that we provide a voice for MSK health. We are increasingly asked: given that our membership is made up of organisations, how can an individual support ARMA? For this reason, we have set up a new supporter scheme.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
