Residents dealing with the challenges of chronic knee or hip pain can now benefit from the successful national Escape Pain programme launching this September at Abbey Stadium.

The free 6-week programme helps people with chronic pain and integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regimen individualised for each participant.

The course will run twice per week for six weeks starting from September 13th. The sessions are aimed at people who are retired or off work due to joint problems and will be run on Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am to 12pm, at the Abbey Stadium. You do not need to be a member of the gym to access this course.

This personalised approach helps people understand their condition, teaches them simple self-help strategies, and guides them through a progressive exercise programme so they learn how to cope with pain better.

The course is extremely popular with limited spaces and interested people are being urged to grab a place while they can.

Cllr Joanne Beecham, whose portfolio covers Health and Wellbeing, said: "Joint pain can be incredibly debilitating, affecting individuals both young and old. This specialised course is designed to equip participants with the essential self-management techniques they need to regain a more active life with reduced reliance on medication."

Leader of the Council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “I’m pleased we are able to work with Rubicon Leisure to expand the reach of the escape pain course. The transformations we've witnessed in past participants is testament to the value of this programme, and I hope many more can benefit from this new session at Abbey Stadium.”

Robust evidence shows that ESCAPE-pain:

• Reduces pain
• Improves physical function
• Improves the psychosocial consequences of pain
• Reduces healthcare and utilisation costs.

More details about ESCAPE-pain are available on their website.

For more information about this course or to enrol, register online at www.redditchbc.gov.uk and search for “Escape Pain” or, contact Hayley on 01527 881404 or via email at hayleygwilliam@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk