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 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.
To get the most out of any visit with a doctor or a health professional, it helps to:
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.
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.
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:
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.
Below are a number of additional free resources that may help you in managing your arthritis and coming up with your own treatment plan
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.
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.
Learn more about the types of arthritis and the ways it can be managed with our Info Sheets and Booklets
Seek support from others living with arthritis through our online support groups or Arthritis
Assist telephone service.
Sign up to our e-news to receive regular information about arthritis and the ways we can manage it.
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Register for our free online exercise program, Arthritis Moves!