The New Madrid County Health Department offers the Arthritis Foundation programs AFAP and Exercise Programs.What is AFAP?
The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP) is a water exercise program designed for people with arthritis and related conditions. Water exercise is especially good for people with arthritis, because it allows you to exercise without putting excess strain on your joints and muscles. The AFAP gives you the opportunity to do gentle activities in warm water, with guidance from a trained instructor. Although it is a nonclinical program (one that will replace a prescribed regimen of therapeutic exercise), past participants have enjoyed some physical benefits such as decreased pain and stiffness.
What is "Exercise Programs"?
Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program is an exercise program designed specifically for people with arthritis that uses gentle activities to help increase joint flexibility and range of motion and to help to maintain muscle strength. It also helps increase overall stamina. Because there are many different types of arthritis and related conditions. levels of fitness, and degrees of limitation, two levels of Exercise classes are available - basic and advanced.
Classes are conducted by Kim Simmons who has completed a special Arthritis Foundation instructor training workshop. The exercises you learn in the program, however, should not replace therapeutic exercises prescribed for you by a therapist. If you need additional information call: