Retired NEA member Martha Pratt found that aquatic exercise relieves her overwhelming arthritis pain.
“I have arthritis in the knees, feet, and hands, largely from having done a tremendous amount of hiking,” says the former kindergarten and first-grade teacher. But instead of resigning herself to a spot on the couch, Pratt has sought out activities she can do in the one place where exercising doesn’t bring on pain—in the pool.
Finding a way to exercise and manage your pain is exactly what a new resource from NEA HIN recommends. The Arthritis Self Management Kit contains an exercise action plan with tips and instructions on different exercises to try, such as aquatic exercises.
The kit also contains a self-test to help create a personal pain management plan, relaxation and exercise CDs, information sheets that describe common problems and solutions, and a copy of The Arthritis Helpbook by Kate Lorig and James Fries, leading experts on self-management of pain.
Nearly 70 million Americans suffer from arthritis—that’s about one out of every four people—and more than 58 percent are women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those who have arthritis know that it does more than affect joints – it can also drain energy, and NEA members who work in our public schools every day need all the energy they can get.
From elementary school teachers who fold into child-sized chairs for reading hour, to custodians who climb ladders, mop floors and are on the run all day, educators require a lot of energy and flexibility to do their jobs.
“Our members, whether they’re in the classroom or retired and leading active lives, can’t afford to be slowed down by arthritis pain,” says program coordinator Edeanna Chebbi. “Through the process of self-management that this kit provides, they can improve joint functioning, stay productive, and lower their health care costs.”
If you have arthritis, you may be eligible to receive a free or discounted copy of The Arthritis Self-Management Kit send an email to [email protected].