National Arthritis Week Lunchtime Webinar Series This National Arthritis Week (15th-21st April), we are hosting three lunchtime webinars which will feature experts who will debunk common myths associated with arthritis. Click on the Eventbrite links below to register and book your place. 'Arthritis is not just an older person's disease' with Dr John Stack, Consultant Rheumatologist Monday 15th April from 12:30-1:30pm This webinar will dispel the myth that arthritis is an older person’s disease and explore the fact that as people live longer the prevalence of arthritis will continue to rise. John will also discuss minimising the risk of developing arthritis and the daily impact of this condition, including disruption to education and the ability to work, care for a family, move without pain and maintain independence. 'Physical activity, exercise and arthritis - busting some common myths' with Professor Helen French Tuesday 16th April from 12:30-1:30pm This webinar will explore the myth that physical activity is bad for those who live with arthritis. In fact, it plays a crucial role in strengthening your muscles, tendons, and bones, which in turn supports joints. The webinar will also discuss strategies for incorporating physical activity into everyday life and the types of exercise suitable for those living with arthritis. 'Arthritis and food - everything you need to know' with Louise Reynolds, Registered Dietitian Thursday 18th April 12:30-1:30pm There is a lot of conflicting information about specific foods and their impact on arthritis. This webinar will explore the important role of diet in managing arthritis, dispel common myths about arthritis and specific food groups, and cover the benefits of eating well to manage the challenges associated with arthritis. About our speakers Dr John Stack, Consultant Rheumatologist & General Physician at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin Dr Stack is a Consultant Rheumatologist and General Physician at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin. John graduated from University College Cork in 2005. He completed his rheumatology specialist training in Ireland before undertaking a RCPI sponsored fellowship in connective tissue disease (CTD) and myositis at Kings Hospital, London in 2016. He was then appointed as Consultant Rheumatologist at Kings Hospital in 2017 with a special interest in CTD and vasculitis and then subsequently clinical lead in 2018 until his return to Ireland in February 2020. He has been awarded a research MD from UCC entitled 'Rheumatoid arthritis and Artherosclerosis: Shared Pathogenic Mechanisms Explored'. He has publications in the disease areas of osteoarthritis, crystal arthropathy, vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Prof Helen French, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland Helen French is a chartered physiotherapist and associate professor in physiotherapy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland. She previously worked as a musculoskeletal Clinical Specialist in a large public teaching hospital before moving to RCSI as a lecturer in 2004. She completed her PhD in 2011, which was a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of exercise and manual therapy for hip osteoarthritis. She is a level 2 (specialist) member of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Musculoskeletal Therapy (CPMT), a clinical interest group of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. Her research interests include the physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal conditions and the role of exercise and non-pharmacological management of osteoarthritis. She has published numerous scientific papers and presented research findings at national and international conferences. Her current funded projects as a Principal Investigator include development of a model of care for osteoarthritis in primary care in Ireland, a feasibility trial on the role of exercise and education for gluteal tendinopathy, both of which are funded by the Health Research Board. Louise Reynolds, Registered Dietitian & Communications Manager at the INDI Louise is a CORU Registered Dietitian with a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from Trinity College Dublin and DIT and an MSc in Science Communications from DCU. She also holds a Diploma in Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. She is a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). Having completed her clinical training in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, Louise went on to work in research, the food industry and as a freelance nutrition consultant over the last 30 years. Louise also lectured on nutrition to Primary School Teaching students in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra for over 10 years. Louise works as the Communications Manager of the INDI, the professional body for dietitians in Ireland. She is also a member of the Food Safety Consultative Council of the Food safety Authority of Ireland. Louise is the regular dietitian contributor to the Claire Byrne radio show on RTE Radio 1 and is a regular contributor on nutrition for Ireland AM on TV3. Louise regularly contributes to articles on a wide range of nutrition issues in the media. She also speaks on public health nutrition topics for a wide range of audiences on a regular basis. National Arthritis Week is supported by AbbVie and Novartis. Manage Cookie Preferences