Central Missouri Regional Arthritis Center

View a schedule of upcoming classes, leader trainings, and meetings sponsored by the Central Missouri Regional Arthritis Center.

To view a list of classes by course and location click here.

To view a list of leader trainings by course and date click here.

RA Just Diagnosed - FREE Workshop July 09, 2013

Have you recently been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

RA Just Diagnosed is a 3-hour program designed to educate, motivate, and empower individuals diagnosed with RA with information and tools to engage them in self-management of their condition.  Supplemented by a participant workbook, videos, and questionnaires, the program focuses on eight modules that cover specifics of RA, treatment options, self-mangement strategies, and goal-setting.  RA Just Diagnosed relies heavily on group discussion and participant feedback, so the event is limited to 15 participants. 

This FREE workshop will be held on July 09, 2013 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia.  Download RA Just Diagnosed Flyer July 09 to learn more.  To register, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 314-447-4882 or by email at kshoulders@arthritis.org.

RA Just Diagnosed - FREE Workshop June 11, 2013

Have you been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) within the last two years?

RA Just Diagnosed is a 3-hour program designed to educate, motivate, and empower individuals newly diagnosed with RA with information and tools to engage them in self-management of their condition.  Supplemented by a participant workbook, videos, and questionnaires, the program focuses on eight modules that cover specifics of RA, treatment options, self-mangement strategies, and goal-setting.  RA Just Diagnosed relies heavily on group discussion and participant feedback, so the event is limited to 15 participants. 

This FREE workshop will be held on June 11, 2013 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia.  Download RA Just Diagnosed Flyer to learn more.  To register, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 314-447-4882 or by email at kshoulders@arthritis.org.

2013 Arthritis Seminar - Back Pain: Everybody's Issue

The Southwest Regional Arthritis Center at Mercy Hospital is hosting an arthritis seminar on Friday, April 26, 2013 from 7:50 am - 1:45 pm at Hammons Heart Institute in Springfield, MO.  The seminar is designed for nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, activitiy directors and other healthcare professionals and will provide evidence-based information on rehabilitation to allow best-practice treatment for the patients with chronic joint conditions.  The registration fee is $45 and provides 4.75 credit hours.  Download 2013 Arthritis Seminar for more information or contact 417-820-9246. 

FREE Walk With Ease Instructor Training - June 07, 2013

Research shows that walking is not only good for the joints.  It also helps improve the health of the heart, lungs, and bones.  Walking can help maintain weight; which can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. 

The Walk with Ease program was designed to help people with arthritis better manage pain, but it is also idea for people without arthritis who also want to make walking a regular habit.  It is a multi-component progam that also includes health education, stretching, strengthening, and motivational strategies to help individuals set and reach goals.  Participants receive a Walk with Ease Starter Pack; which includes a sports bag, Walk with Ease workbook, pedometer, and other resources to encourage participants' success. 

The next Walk with Ease program leader training is scheduled on Friday, June 07, 2013 from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm in Columbia, MO.  The training is FREE to leaders who commit to leading a class within 3 months of the training, a second class within 12 months of the training, and submit participant data.  Download Walk With Ease Leader Training 060713 Flyer to learn more about the upcoming workshop.

FREE Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Instructor Training - May 24, 2013

The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is developed to help the millions of people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other related conditions take control of their health. But it's not just for people with arthritis. Anyone can participate. It is a fun-filled low-impact program that features gentle, joint-safe movements and can be adapted for various fitness levels. Participants receive a Class Participant Manual with full descriptions and illustrations of the exercises performed in the class.  As a program leader, you can help program participants acheive their physical goals. 

The next Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program leader training is scheduled on Friday, May 24, 2013 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm in Columbia, MO. The training is FREE to leaders who commit to leading a class with in 3 months of the training, a second class with in 12 months of the training and submit participant data.   Download Exercise Instructor Training Flyer 052413 to learn more about this upcoming workshop.

Attention current Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Instructors:
You now have the option to attend a half-day re-certification training instead of the full-day training.  If your certification is active, then you wouldn't have to arrive until 11:30 am.  Please contact myself or the Arthritis Foundation to verify your certification status.

Better Choices Better Health - an Online Approach to Self-Management

Are you interested in participating in a chronic disease self-management workshop but are unable to attend a workshop in person?  Why not try an online workshop?

Better Choices, Better Health™ (BCBH), the online Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed at Stanford University, is a six-week workshop offered on a dedicated Web site. Classes consist of about 25 persons per workshop. BCBH does not require “real time” attendance (i.e., there are bulletin boards rather than chat rooms).  A pair of trained peer facilitators moderates each workshop. Each week, participants are asked to log on at least three times for a total of about two hours. Weekly activities include reading and interacting via the Learning Center, making and posting a weekly action plan, participating in problem solving and guided exercises on bulletin boards, and participating in any appropriate self-tests and activities.

BCBH is built on Stanford’s experience with the original Chronic Disease Self-Management Program that is offered in person. It has been designed so that it can be used by almost anyone who has access to the Internet, including those that do not have access to broadband. For this reason, video clips and extensive graphics are not used. BCBH is compatible with Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, Foxfire and AOL web browsers and can be used with Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Space is limited.  Click here to register for the Better Choices Better Health online program or contact the Regional Arthritis Center for additional information at 573-882-8097 or phelpsam@missouri.edu. 

Study - Impaired Fasting Glucose

The University of Missouri is looking for volunteers to participate in a study to evaluate impact on hormone and glucose levels after an evening meal and throughout the overnight period.  Volunteers are needed who are overweight, do not have sleep apnea, between the ages of 25-60 years old, and relatively healthy.  To learn more about the study, Download Impaired Fasting Glucose flyer or contact Jill Kalaney at 573-882-2519 or kalaneyj@missouri.edu.

If you would like more information about arthritis and diabetes, contact the Regional Arthritis Center at 573-882-8097 or phelpsam@missouri.edu for a FREE brochure.

Study - Physical Therapy and Knee Osteoarthritis

Mizzou’s Department of Physical Therapy is conducting a study on physical activity in people with knee pain. Volunteers are needed who are age 40 years or older, who HAVE been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, HAVE knee pain using stairs, and HAVE been told to exercise by their physician. Volunteers will participate in three lab visits which include questionnaires, an interview, and measurements of leg speed and strength. Completing all the visits will take a total of about 6 hours. Volunteers will be compensated for time. Participation is not connected to any medical care or services.  For more information, Download Knee Osteoarthritis PT flyer and contact a program staff member at 573-884-7823. 

For additional information on osteoarthritis or physical activity, contact the Regional Arthritis Center at 573-882-8097 or phelpsam@missouri.edu for a FREE brochure or to find a class near you.

Study - Fruit and Vegetable Concentrate and Inflammation

The MU Nutrition and Exercise Physiology Department is looking for volunteers to participate in a study on how fruit and vegetable concentrate affects inflammation.  For more information, Download Fruit & Veg Concentrate Study flyer or contact the study coordinator at 573-882-9917 or mufvjcstudy@gmail.com.

If you are interested in learning more about how nuturition affects arthritis and inflammation, please contact the Regional Arthritis Center for a FREE brochure at 573-882-8097.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Past, Present, and Future

The Kansas City Area Regional Arthritis Center is hosting a FREE Rheumatoid Arthritis conference for nurses and allied health professionals on March 8, 2013 from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.  This program is approved for 4.0 contact hours.  To register, contact the Saint Luke's Conierge at 816-932-5100 or toll-free at 855-932-5100 or click here to register online.

Download March 2013 RA Conference Brochure