URBANA, Ill. — Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide, often leading to a diminished quality of life and emotional distress. Many individuals struggle daily with persistent discomfort that impacts their ability to work, engage in activities they love, and maintain relationships.
University of Illinois Extension offers the Take Charge of Your Health webinar series, a group class to learn tools to thrive in chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Explore practical strategies for managing pain and fatigue, making informed decisions about nutrition and exercise, learning about treatment options, and improving communication with your healthcare professionals and loved ones.
"Taking control of your health today empowers you to live your best life tomorrow. The journey to wellness begins with small and consistent steps," says Tessa Hobbs-Curley, family life educator.
Event Details
The webinars will be held weekly for six weeks in 2.5-hour sessions from 1 to 3:30 p.m. with a built-in break.
Session dates:
- Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30.
- Feb.6, 13.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
- Falls prevention
- Healthy eating
- Better breathing techniques
- Appropriate use of medication
- Working more effectively with healthcare providers
- Communicating with friends and family
- Communicating with oneself
- Communicating with the healthcare system
- Action-planning, problem-solving, and decision-making
Attendance:
This evidence-based program requires full attendance and is designed for individuals aged 18 and older living with chronic conditions.
The series is free, but registration is required. Register at go.illinois.edu/ManagePain. Register by January 3.
For more information or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Tessa Hobbs-Curley at tessa@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
SOURCE: Tessa Hobbs-Curley, family life educator, Illinois Extension
WRITER: Herbert Chavez, media communications coordinator, Illinois Extension.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.