exercise | ARMA

SMILE-RA – Exercise just got easier

NRAS understands that for people living with rheumatoid arthritis, physical activity is not a short‑term resolution but an important, sustained commitment that supports health throughout the year. SMILE-RA is a free, user friendly program designed to support people living with RA self-manage their condition.

To help individuals incorporate exercise more effectively into daily life, NRAS has refined the original SMILE‑RA Exercise module into two concise components: The Science Explained, which outlines the evidence behind the benefits of regular exercise for heart health, joint function, energy, mood, and overall wellbeing; and Let’s Move, which provides practical, achievable guidance for integrating physical activity into everyday routines in a sustainable and adaptable way.…

Read more of this article

NRAS Live: The importance of exercise

The importance of exercise when living with inflammatory arthritis

Live discussion with expert panel on the importance of exercise when living with inflammatory arthritis.
Facebook Live event

Wednesday, 29 March 2023, 7pm

Exercise doesn’t need to be all lycra and gym equipment! There are so many ways to keep those joints, tendons, muscles moving, so join NRAS live on Wednesday, 29 March at 7pm to hear more about yoga, resistance training, team sports and more, as well as how to overcome some of those hurdles (not literal ones!)…

Read more of this article

New Pregnancy Questionnaire Tool

Overcoming concerns and identifying those who should seek medical advice before exercise

The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy identifies the small number of individuals who should seek medical advice as a first step to becoming or continuing to be physically active during pregnancy, and to help the majority of healthy pregnant individuals overcome any concerns they have with getting or staying active.

Sport Rehabilitator Marlize De Vivo collaborated with this effort which recognises the importance of continued physical activity and acknowledges the role of healthcare and qualified exercise professionals in facilitating an active pregnancy:

“Is it safe for me?…

Read more of this article

Versus Arthritis Let’s Move for Surgery

Versus Arthritis has launched their brand new Let’s Move for Surgery physical activity resources for people with arthritis waiting for or recovering from joint replacement surgery. The Surgery Toolkit includes a series of tailor-made, follow-along exercise videos for hip, shoulder and knee, as well as full body workouts to help maintain overall fitness. It also features personal stories and advice from those living with arthritis who have been through or are awaiting joint replacement surgery, as well as tips on keeping active from a physiotherapist.…

Read more of this article

NRAS Wellbeing Courses

NRAS launched their Wellbeing Courses in May and owing to their success the next set are now being released.

The NRAS Wellbeing Courses starting within the next month are:

Tripudio: Gentle form of exercise performed to different genres of music.
Yoga: Breathing exercises to help support day-to-day exercises, designed to help create a little mobility and strength throughout the entire body.
Tapping for Pain Management: Gently tap the various acupressure points with techniques aiming to relax the mind and body.

The courses consist of either two or five/six weeks in length, meeting once a week online.…

Read more of this article

Guest blog: No pain, no gain?

Looking differently at leisure places as spaces for chronic pain management

by Ben Wilkins, CEO, Good Boost

15.5 million people in England live with chronic pain. Approximately 5.5 million (12% of the population) have high-impact chronic pain, where pain makes it an on-going challenge to take part in daily activities (Versus Arthritis, 2021). The main contributing factor for 8-in-10 people living with chronic pain are musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoarthritis, back and neck pain. For people living with this, it’s not just a ‘ache in your back’ or a ‘twinge in your knee’, it’s an unrelenting and all-consuming part of everyday life.…

Read more of this article

New stretching videos to help keep moving and manage your arthritis

Versus Arthritis has developed ten new stretching ‘follow along’ videos specifically to help people with arthritis to maintain flexibility and to help relieve stiffness.

The 15-minute ‘follow along’ format means that the videos can be easily incorporated into people’s daily routine. All of the exercises are designed to be done at home with some of the fun movements making use of everyday household objects.

This video series will form a key part of Let’s Move, a dedicated programme funded by Sport England for people with arthritis who want more movement in their lives.…

Read more of this article

Long COVID self-management tools

Physiotherapist Katie Knapton from PhysioFit and Pete Moore from the PainToolkit have co-written a self-management guide for people suffering with Long Covid. This is free and entry-level information to try and help people on the path to recovery.

If you are noticing any worsening symptoms especially in terms of chest pain and shortness of breath it is vital that you are medically assessed. If you have been medically cleared, then it is still appropriate to have support and to monitor symptoms.…

Read more of this article

Manual for Movement from the BCA

New consumer research from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) reveals that 52% of people across the UK are planning to use digital fitness solutions to stay fit and healthy as lockdown restrictions lift.

Conducted with OnePoll, the research explored the step change in the habits and routines of 5000 people across the UK regarding their physical health and wellbeing beyond the immediate effects of the pandemic.

The survey-based study revealed that 52% of people across the UK are planning to use digital fitness solutions, such as online home exercise videos, health and wellbeing apps and virtual personal trainers to stay fit and healthy as lockdown restrictions lift, with 44% seeking to improve their overall energy levels.…

Read more of this article

Making Moves with Didy Veldman, leading International Choreographer

Recently, NRAS members who signed up took part in a dance and movement programme for people living with RA with leading International Choreographer, Didy Feldman, over Zoom, with Didy leading from the Royal Ballet School.

Dutch-born Didy Veldman trained as a ballet and contemporary dancer in Amsterdam. She danced professionally for fourteen years and began choreographing in 1987. She has created new works nationally and internationally for Birmingham Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Royal Ballet School in London, to name but a few.…

Read more of this article