Did you know that most muscle and joint problems start to improve within 6 weeks with good self-management?
This video explains how simple things you can do at home can help:
If you feel you need more support, please click here for information on how to seek help, including how to be referred to your local CIC MSK service if needed.
General tips for good health
Staying as fit and healthy as possible and making healthy lifestyle choices benefits everyone, and can even help manage many conditions or at least reduce their impact on you and your life. If you have health problems, it’s even more important to look after your general health.
Things that can help include:
- Eating healthy food
- Losing any extra weight
- Being more active and getting fitter
- Stopping smoking
- Drinking less alcohol
The NHS Live Well website contains lots of brilliant information and advice to support you.
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is a 12-week plan to support people to lose weight.
"Active Partnerships is a nationwide movement, physical activity and sport network that exists to make active lifestyles the norm for everyone." Click on the map here to find your local Active Partnership, and discover the options around you to help you to become more active, whatever your level.
For helpful exercises anyone can try visit our exercise portal.
On the portal, you'll be asked to agree to our terms and conditions, and to register on the portal so that you can return to the exercises you've previously accessed. This information is not used for anything else, nor is it shared elsewhere.
There are other great resources available to help, too:
- You can access Arthritis UK’s 12-week exercise programme of 30-minute movement sessions: “Let’s Move with Leon” classes have been created for people with MSK conditions who want more movement in their lives.
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has great advice to support with increasing physical activity and strengthening too: "I want to feel stronger"
The key advice with exercise is to start slowly and gradually build up the time and intensity as you feel comfortable. Slight ache or tiredness in your muscles can be normal, but stop exercising if you experience pain, discomfort, or unusual symptoms, and seek advice before continuing.
You can visit our MSK Services homepage for advice and information about specific MSK conditions to help you understand and manage your condition better.
