By Michelle Crean

Thousands in Kerry suffer from the debilitating condition arthritis and to help a special exercise class is planned in Killarney.

National Arthritis Week takes place next week with the theme this year 'Let's Get Physical!'

According to statistics one in five Irish people have arthritis, fibromyalgia or another related condition, representing 29,500 people out of a total population of 148,000, with 18 percent under 55 years of age, in the Kerry area.

The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland (KBAI) are now planning to pilot an initial six weeks aerobic, strength and conditioning chair exercise programme for people living with arthritis and other related conditions, Tom Barrett, chairman of KBAI, explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

"It will be delivered by a CORU Registered Chartered Physiotherapist on Thursday evening April 14 from 7pm to 8pm in the St John Paul ll Pastrol Centre, Rock Road, next to the Garda Station."

Inflammatory type arthritis is the most severe form of the disease affecting one percent of the population with in excess of 2,000 new diagnoses every year in Ireland. As a disease, arthritis accounts for one in three GP visits. Furthermore, approximately seven million days are lost each year due to absence and ill health attributable to musculoskeletal diseases, costing the State €300m in illness benefit.

"Arthritis is an invisible condition and patients are not walking around with tell-tale glowing red dots of where their joints or organs are affected by inflammation. They look perfectly healthy and at the same time they are suffering in silence. As there is no known cure, managing it as best one can is currently the only option available to people living with the condition."

The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland provide several specially adapted and supervised exercise programmes including hydrotherapy, aqua aerobics/aqua jogging, seated aerobic strength and conditioning, walking with Nordic and Activator Walking Poles, locally for people living with arthritis and other related conditions.

"We would like to highlight how important exercise is in the management of their condition and also highlight that help is available locally."

For more information check out The Kerry Branch of Arthritis Ireland Facebook Page.

To book one of the limited places available please phone or text 087 6723442.