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
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.
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
Learn more about the types of arthritis and the ways it can be managed with our Info Sheets and Booklets
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 online exercise program, Arthritis Moves!
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