Martin’s Point Health Care to Host Arthritis Forum May 26

Attendees encouraged to register early for the free event

Martin's Point Health Care will host an Arthritis Forum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at the Martin's Point Health Education Center at 331 Veranda St. in Portland.

The free event will feature Dr. Patricia Murray, a D.O. in Martin’s Point’s internal medicine department, and others from the healthcare community who have an expertise in the care and rehabilitation of patients with arthritis.

In addition to Dr. Murray, forum participants will include representatives from the Arthritis Foundation, Northeast Passage, The Partnership for Healthy Aging Health Enhancement Program and Matter of Balance Program, and the YWCA Arthriticize Program. A yoga instructor as well as a physical therapist from Healthsouth will be on hand to demonstrate safe therapeutic exercise.

Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register early by calling (207) 828-2497. The event is free and open to the public.

Arthritis, which afflicts more than 40 million Americans, causes pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around the joints, sometimes making it difficult for sufferers to accomplish everyday chores.

"Chances are that many people in Maine either have arthritis or know someone who does," said Leigh Kirchner, a Certified Health Education Specialist at Martin's Point Health Care. “The forum this year will cover the latest advances in arthritis care from experts in the field.”

Therapists will also demonstrate exercises to increase flexibility, which have been shown to help reduce pain for people with arthritis. In addition, assistive devices for everyday chores will be displayed.

The event will be led by Dr. Murray, who is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and received her medical degree from the University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford. She also has a master’s of science from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and an undergraduate degree from New York University. She is a member of the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Academy of Osteopathy.

[NOTE: Media interested in covering the forum must call first so organizers can obtain patient release forms and have a health professional available to talk with the media. Call Leigh Kirchner or Mary Lynn Engel of Martin's Point at 774-5801 or Beryl Wolfe of Wolfe PR at 883-6083. Thanks.]

The Martin's Point Health Education Center offers a variety of resource materials, such as publications and videos, and classes that focus on a host of topics, ranging from weight management and smoking cessation to disease management.

Martin’s Point Health Care is a not-for-profit health care plan administrator and clinical services provider with facilities in Maine, and Portsmouth, N.H. Martin’s Point serves patients with all major health plans in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, mammography, and other fields. Martin’s Point administers the U.S. Family Health Plan in Maine and New Hampshire. The U.S. Family Health Plan is a TRICARE Prime option offering health care coverage to military retirees and their dependents and to the families of active-duty personnel. For additional information, visit www.martinspoint.org.

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