Managing Arthritis

Have you been diagnosed with arthritis, but not sure what to do next? Not sure how to manage your arthritis? Below we provide a few helpful tips for Queenslanders when it comes to managing arthritis. Areas we’ll discuss include:

  • Your healthcare team
  • How to get the most out of your health care visits
  • Learning about your arthritis
  • Creating a treatment plan
  • Keeping your treatment plan on track
  • Additional free resources to help when managing arthritis


Your healthcare team

Your healthcare team is made up of a number of individuals – you, your health care professionals, your family, friends and other supportive community groups.

You are at the centre of your healthcare team, because you make the final decisions about your health care.

Your healthcare team also includes your general practitioner (GP). You may have also already seen a rheumatologist (a doctor who specialises in arthritis). You might also see other specialists or allied health professionals (for example, a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or dietitian) who can help with different areas of looking after your arthritis and are also a part of your healthcare team. 

Your doctors and health professionals have the knowledge and experience to help you make informed decisions about symptoms and arthritis management.

Your family and friends may be able to support you by talking to you about the decisions that you make when it comes to managing your arthritis.


Getting the most from your healthcare visits

To get the most out of any visit with a doctor or a health professional, it helps to:

  • Be prepared with your x-rays, scans, and other records you’ve kept, such as a pain diary.
  • Consider taking a support person with you, so that you have someone else to hear the information you are given and remind you later.
  • Take notes about any important information (or get your support person to do it for you).
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand something, or need more information.
  • Ask your doctor or health professional about where you can get more information. They will often know of organisations, support groups and places where you can learn more about your condition.


Doctors and health care professionals are there to help you through your arthritis management journey. Ensuring you get the most out of your appointments and visits, is a great first step to managing how you live with arthritis.

Learn about your condition

Two men working from laptops using their hands to type


Another great way to manage your arthritis more effectively, is to educate yourself as well as your support network, about the type of arthritis you are living with. Your doctor and health professionals will be a great start to learning about your arthritis. This is also where we can help!

Whether you’re living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other form of arthritis - learning about your condition will help you better manage your symptoms and pain in the long run.


Your treatment plan

By learning about your arthritis, and working with your healthcare team, you can determine the best treatment options tailored for your arthritis type and come up with a treatment plan. An arthritis treatment plan is a combination of treatments that help you to manage your arthritis. 

Your treatment plan may include:
  • Medicines
  • Physical therapies (like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry)
  • Exercise
  • Healthy eating
  • Pain management techniques
  • Emotional and social support
  • Finding the balance between activity and rest that works for you

As life changes, your treatment plan may also change from time to time. Many people find that having a treatment plan is reassuring, and keeps them ‘on track’ during the ups and downs of living with arthritis.

Keep your treatment on track

Below are a number of additional free resources that may help you in managing your arthritis and coming up with your own treatment plan

My Joint Pain is an online resource for supporting people with osteoarthritis by providing the tools to help you manage and track joint pain.

How does MyJointPain work?

1. Answer questions about your situation.

2. Receive a summary of your risk of hip or knee osteoarthritis, and your management options.

3. Receive regular updates and ongoing support to keep you on track with managing your joint pain.

MyJoint Pain was developed by Arthritis Australia and Bupa Health Foundation, and has been endorsed by scientific experts. The website and online tools are based on the combined knowledge of a committee of medical and scientific experts in key areas of surgical, scientific, allied health, medical, and consumer advocacy. Arthritis QLD message about joint pain

MyRA is is an online tool designed to help people with RA seize control and become active participants in their journey with RA.

Everyone's RA journey is different. Some people are just starting their journey while others have been on the journey for decades.

By providing you with quality information about RA, some simple management skills and the opportunity to share the experience of others, we can help everyone live a better life with RA.

MyBackPain.org.au provides trustworthy and up-to-date information on low back pain. Developed by expert researchers, health professionals and people with back pain, the aim is to get your back on track!


Information and Support for Arthritis

Arthritis QLD message for living with arthritis


Learn more about the types of arthritis and the ways it can be managed with our Info Sheets and Booklets

Woman calling for help about her arthritis


Seek support from others living with arthritis through our online support groups or Arthritis Assist telephone service

Women researching arthritis on a laptop


Sign up to our e-news to receive regular information about arthritis and the ways we can manage it. 


Register for our online exercise program, Arthritis Moves!

SUBSCRIBE