Musculoskeletal conditions can be a debilitating. There is no cure and people with severe musculoskeletal conditions live with chronic pain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wayne Lentsment is the coordinator of the Horsham self-help peer support group for people with musculoskeletal conditions. He also has Osteoarthritis in his hands.
"A quarter of the population in Australia are affected by arthritis in one way or another," Mr Lentsment said.
"It varies. It's muscular, it's skeletal, it's joints. In most cases it's deterioration but in some cases people are born with an offset gene which can develop into a much more serious condition like spondylosis."
MSK conditions impacts one in three Australians. These conditions can include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, gout, fibromyalgia, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and more.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Lentsment said the chronic pain in some members impacts their daily lives.
"We've had many people not come to meetings because their condition is so severe," Mr Lentsment said.
MSK conditions can start as "niggling" in the joints and impacts people's every day lives.
"It can start as an annoying, soft pain right through to excruciating pain," Mr Lentsment said.
"Chronic fatigue is linked directly to arthritis because it affects all the muscles and tissue.
"It can be very debilitating."
Mr Lentsment said the support group was developed so rural areas could have face-to-face contact for support.
"People were getting direct support from Musculoskeletal Australia, the only problem with that is that is based in Melbourne," Mr Lentsment said
"Here we are in rural areas, we don't have face-to-face contact.
"We've relied on each other to socially support each other. We give each other advice and encouragement.
"The biggest thing is if someone experiences something and it's not identical to what someone else they can still share the process of how to get treatment or in touch with professionals."
The closest rheumatologist is in Stawell, who only goes to the region once a month.
"A lot of us don't have access to a rheumatologist," Mr Lentsment said.
"We get advice from one another about who to speak to professionally to get assistance."
The Horsham MSK peer support group meet monthly at the Horsham Community and Sports Club on the first Wednesday of every month.
There is also an annual seminar, which will run in September.
Mr Lentsment said everyone was welcome, including supporters who have friends or family with an MSK condition.
"It's not just more mature people," Mr Lentsment said,
"It's across the board. It's open to anybody and everybody."
MSK conditions are a complex matter, especially for people living with chronic pain.
"People want to live the pain level they are at before they seek professional treatment," Mr Lentsment said.
"As long as they have their medication, that ties them over."
Some further and more invasive treatments can be quite "brutal".
"You don't have to go it alone."
- Wayne Lentsment
These are not a cure but rather maintenance.
"Treatment is about getting the best life you can out of living," Mr Lentsment said.
Mr Lentsment said the support group it beneficial to gain physical and emotional support.
"It is crucial to come to a support group," Mr Lentsment said.
"They miss out on advice. They hide themselves away, they become despondent, depressed and they are isolating themselves.
"You don't have to go it alone.
"You can contribute to the same group. Helping people who have similar conditions.
"So many people are doing it alone they're not getting any benefit nor are they providing any benefit to others around them with their journey."
Mr Lentsment said if people are only getting treatment from Melbourne specialists, they miss out on gaining that support from a peer group.
MSK Australia have launched a campaign called "Making the Invisible Visible."
"Arthritis impacts one in four people across Australia. It's all ages, there is also juvenile arthritis," Mr Lentsment said.
"Its not like a break or an injury, it's all within in your skin.
"It's not observable."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.mailtimes.com.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Wim_Mail_Times
- Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/wimmeramailtimes/