Branch members exercising to help their condition in Bognor Regis

The Bognor Regis branch of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) took part in a national stretch last Thursday (October 11), at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital, to celebrate World Arthritis Day.

The branch used the World Arthritis Day theme – Move to Improve – to highlight the importance of exercise in the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a form of inflammatory arthritis.

Member John Wilton, who lives in Chichester, said: “The NASS branch has been a lifeline for me.

“It has given me structure to my exercises and access to a physiotherapist when I have needed it.

“Attending the weekly sessions has definitely helped me to remain more active and mobile.”

For more than 20 years, the branch has been providing regular hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions in the town for suffers.

Acting chairman of the branch, Anthony Tuffin, said: “We shall be stretching a little bit further this year to help raise the profile of AS so that more people with AS can access and benefit from the regular exercise sessions.”

AS affects the spine and is a painful and progressive condition that, if not diagnosed early enough or treated correctly, can cause irreversible fusing of the spine.

Anyone wishing to get in touch with the branch should contact Anthony Tuffin on 01243 604715.