This week’s content is designed to provide you with broad information and practical strategies to effectively manage your arthritis, maintain joint health, and enhance your overall quality of life. The module covers key topics such as self-management techniques, understanding arthritis, joint care, and goal setting.

By the end of the module:

✓ You will comprehensively understand your specific arthritic condition, including its prevalence, risk factors, common symptoms, and diagnosis.

✓ You will acquire practical skills and strategies to care for your joints, manage arthritis-related symptoms, and set meaningful goals to improve your overall quality of life.

This week’s content aims to educate and empower you on the importance of physical activity and exercise in promoting your overall well-being. The module covers exercise safety, various types of exercises and techniques to improve flexibility, strength, and overall joint health, as well as finding a suitable exercise program.

By the end of the module:

✓ You will comprehensively understand the importance of physical activity and exercise in promoting physical health.

✓ You will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to engage in safe and effective exercise routines.

This week’s focus is on equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to effectively manage and relieve pain, promoting overall well-being and a greater sense of control over your arthritis symptoms. The module covers essential topics including the complex nature of pain, individual experiences and perceptions of pain, different approaches to pain management, and the role of medications.

You will:

✓ Explore conservative management techniques such as exercise, pacing, heat and cold therapy, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioural strategies.

✓ Learn about medical management options for pain, including analgesic medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), as well as complementary and alternative medicines, common supplements and rubs, and invasive medical procedures.

This week’s module aims to empower you with the knowledge and skills to improve your emotional well-being, resilience, and the management of stress and fatigue. Key topics covered include optimism, self-talk, stress management, distraction techniques, fatigue management, and balance exercises.

By the end of the module:

✓ You will thoroughly understand emotional health and the significance of nurturing your emotional well-being.

✓ You will acquire practical strategies for fostering optimism, managing stress, engaging in effective self-talk, utilising distraction techniques, performing balance exercises, and managing fatigue.

This week will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt a balanced approach to nutrition, effectively manage body weight, and make informed decisions for a healthy lifestyle. This module covers topics such as healthy eating principles, body weight management, weight loss strategies, problem-solving techniques, and the importance of incidental exercise.

By the end of the module:

✓ You will be equipped with practical tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about your nutrition.

✓ Work towards achieving a healthy body weight, and lead a balanced and nourishing lifestyle.

This module covers a range of topics, including:

✓ Building a social support network.

✓ Obtaining support for multiple health issues.

✓ Understanding the role of different support systems such as community organisations and advocacy groups.

✓ Accessing financial assistance.

✓ Seeking support from healthcare professionals.

✓ Falls prevention tips for creating a safe environment, reducing fall risks, and strategies for staying on track.

By finding the right support, you will have the opportunity to create a robust support network, experience a sense of belonging, receive encouragement, and access valuable resources. These elements will significantly enhance your overall well-being throughout your journey with arthritis.