Jeff Smith MP is backing Nuffield Health’s free-to-access programme in Manchester for people living with chronic joint pain.

The 12-week programme, which is led by 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 such, 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]

Following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme was relaunched in Didsbury Fitness and Wellbeing Gym last year. 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, Jeff said:

                “I’m really impressed with the Joint Pain Programme and their free offer of support. Pain from arthritis and other chronic conditions can be life limiting, but participants told me that the programme really helped them manage pain and has improved their quality of life.”

Vicky Fitzgerald, Health Improvement Lead for Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest Healthcare Charity, said:

“Living with joint pain can be debilitating, and unfortunately, we know that it affects so many people living in Manchester and across the UK. 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, we’d really encourage them to get in touch and see whether this programme is right for them. The outcomes people have experienced so far have been incredibly positive, with 69% of participant achieving a clinically significant improvement in their health. 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 Didsbury Fitness & Wellbeing Gym directly.