ESCAPE-pain stands for Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise.

It is a friendly, group class for people with chronic joint pain also known as osteoarthritis.

This course is open to anyone with osteoarthritis of any severity.

Structure of the course

The programme is delivered to small groups of people twice a week, for six weeks (total 12 classes). There are two components of the programme:

1) a discussion component (approx 20 minutes) where you will learn about your arthritis, what might be causing it, why you experience pain, simple ways to cope and self-manage your problems;

2) an exercise component (approx 40 minutes where you undertake a progressive exercise programme tailored to your individual needs and abilities. You will go at your own pace. You don’t need to have any previous exercise or sports experience.

1. ESCAPE-pain for knees and hips:

Designed to benefit people with chronic knee or hip pain, otherwise known as osteoarthritis (OA). Chronic joint pain, joint stiffness and reduced physical function are the main symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

2. ESCAPE-pain for backs: designed to benefit people with chronic low back pain.

Low back pain affects around a third of adults in the UK each year, and about 9.11 million (16.9%) of these people in England are experiencing severe back pain. Over 70% of the population will experience a significant episode of back pain during their lives and it is the most common reason why middle-aged people visit their GP.

Aims of the programme

The ESCAPE-pain programme aims to increase physical function and improve quality of life.

The programme will not cure nor eliminate pain completely. However, it aims to help people understand their condition better, and to realise that exercise is a safe and effective self-management strategy, that can be used to reduce pain, improve physical function, self-confidence, sense of being in control of problems, and the depression and frustration that is often felt with pain.

The programme focusses on promoting and progressing functional exercises that improve strength, balance, range and coordination, and get participants back to doing the physical activities they enjoy. It aims to show people that they can change their health beliefs and behaviours, in order to increase their levels of physical activity and control their symptoms and the course of their condition.