What: Living Healthy with Arthritis “Panel on Pain”
When: Wednesday, Sept. 8, 6-7:15 p.m.
Where: Online. Register at https://arthritis.arizona.edu/healthy-living/tucson-lecture-series

The “Living Healthy with Arthritis” free lecture services continues Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. with “Panel on Pain,” a livestreamed online event where experts will offer evidence-based education on the pathway to improving quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain.

Panel on Pain, which is free and open to the public, is presented by the University of Arizona Arthritis Center at the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson and supported through the Susan and Saul Tobin Endowment for Research and Education in Rheumatology.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 50 million adults in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain, which is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. Chronic pain can result from chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, past injuries and a number of other reasons.

Nearly half of people with arthritis report chronic pain resulting in restricted mobility, opioid dependency, anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life. Chronic pain resulting from arthritis contributes to an estimated $560 billion annually in direct medical costs, lost productivity and disability programs in the U.S.

In TED Talk-style presentations, three UArizona experts will each share a 15-minute presentation, followed by an audience question-and-answer session. The panelists will talk about a variety of topics related to pain, including:

• What are the biomechanical causes of arthritis and related joint pain?
• What role does physical therapy play in arthritis pain management and what interventions are used?
• What is an anti-inflammatory diet and how it can impact chronic pain?
• How can diet can affect my immune system?
• When is a pain management physician needed and what therapies do they employ?
• Are there alternative, non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain?

The panelists are:

• Christine M. Childers, MS, PhD

Director, Physical Therapy Program
Associate Professor, Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Childers is a geriatric clinical specialist whose research is focused on improving motivation and physical activity in older adults. 

• Amy A. Drescher, PhD, RDN

Assistant Professor of Practice, Nutritional Sciences
Dr. Drescher has served both as a clinical dietician and bionutrition research manager, in addition to directing the Dietetic Internship Program at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. 

• Mohab M. Ibrahim, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Anesthesiology
Interim Medical Director, Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center
Dr. Ibrahim is highly regarded for his work on pain management and reduction across a multitude of ailments and diseases and has been published numerous times on this and related subjects. 

Prior registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit the UArizona Arthritis Center website, https://arthritis.arizona.edu/healthy-living/tucson-lecture-series or email livinghealthy@arthritis.arizona.edu.