Limbering Up During Arthritis Awareness Week -- Brake

11.48.56am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Apr 2005

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Tom Brake joined his fellow residents today (Tuesday 26 April) in a Pilates class as part of Arthritis Awareness Week.

This year's Arthritis Awareness Week (23 to 29 April) highlights the importance of exercise for people with arthritis. Pilates, the system of exercises designed to strengthen the muscles, increase balance and improve joint health is a gentle way to help arthritis.

Tom Brake, who attended his first-ever Pilates class at En Avant studio in Sutton said, "It was my first-ever Pilates session and I can already understand why Pilates has become such a popular and effective form of exercise. We need greater awareness of the needs of people with arthritis and better services for people with arthritis. The needs of people with arthritis must not be overlooked and their services must not be underfunded."

Philippa Jones, who works for Arthritis Care and has had arthritis since childhood added, "There is no cure for arthritis, but good medical treatment and a suitable exercise programme can really help. Arthritis is not just part of the ageing process which should be borne quietly! I have found Pilates a safe and enjoyable way to build up my muscles and strengthen my joints".

ENDS

Notes to Editor

There are over 200 types of arthritis

9 million people in the UK have arthritis

One in five visits to a GP is because of arthritis

1.2 million people with arthritis are under 45.