The Bathurst RSL Club will be hosting a free event tomorrow to provide informative strategies for coping with the rigours of arthritis.
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Hosted by Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW [AONSW], the event will teach attendees about the correlation between a healthy lifestyle and keeping the effects of arthritis at bay.
The event follows the success of last year's meeting, which saw 80 people in attendance.
AONSW member Mary Johnson attended last year's event, and said the experience was a welcome opportunity to gain further knowledge on how to manage arthritis.
"Last year's event taught me that exercise and diet is key to easing the symptoms of the condition," Ms Johnson said.
"While I was already following a healthy exercise and diet regime, the meeting provided reassurance that I was on the right track."
"As you get older your body starts to give up, which is why it's vital to keep moving as much as you can."
- Mary Johnson
Arthritis is an umbrella term for various conditions that cause pain and discomfort around joints.
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Osteoarthritis, the most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis, is commonly found in people over 45.
An estimated 18 per cent of Australia's population are living with the effects of arthritis and according to AONSW, this statistic equates to around 7500 people in the Bathurst area who are managing the symptoms of the condition daily.
Ms Johnson has arthritis in her left elbow and right knee and while the symptoms are difficult to manage at times, she said it's important to maintain a healthy well-being in order to manage the condition.
"As you get older your body starts to give up, which is why it's vital to keep moving as much as you can," she said.
"I have friends who have seen their symptoms worsen because they didn't treat them early enough."
Along with a healthy diet, Ms Johnson uses hydrotherapy and tai chi to treat her symptoms.
AONSW's presentation will focus on exercise, mindfulness and well-being strategies, while the St Vincent's Outreach Centre will outline ways to prevent the outbreak of arthritis.
The meeting will take place from 10.30am. To book a spot, visit arthritisnsw.org.au/health-services/rural-health-initiative.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
