Call Your Local Arthritis Office
“Speaking to my local Arthritis Foundation was the best thing I ever did. They have great information and really understand what it is like to live with arthritis”Read More
Balance Your Life
- Balancing work, rest and play
- Saving energy
“I alternate periods of activity and periods of rest to get the most out of my life – most importantly I make sure that I have the time and energy to have fun”Read More
Make Food Choices That Count
- Healthy eating and arthritis
- Diet and gout
- Fish oil and supplements
“I used to eat for comfort and that just made me feel worse. Now I have a healthy diet and do regular exercise – I feel better than I have in years!”Read More
Acknowledge Your Feelings and Seek Support
- On how to cope with the changes arthritis brings
- Dealing with emotions
- Sex and arthritis
“I used to hide my feelings and bottle it up, this just made it worse. Now I have a support team who I can talk to”Read More
Learn Techniques to Help Manage Your Pain
- Things you can do to deal with your pain
- Medicines and arthritis
- Workshops on pain management
“Relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing help to decrease muscle tension and stress”Read More
Find New Ways to Stay Active
- decreasing the pain and increasing flexibility in your joints and muscles
- strengthening muscles; and improving your posture and balance.
- Physical activity and arthritis
- Examples of exercises suitable for people with arthritis
- Maintaining healthy bones
“Attending my warm water exercise class keeps me mobile and helps with my pain – I just love it”Read More
Know About Your Treatment Options
- your type of arthritis and the joints affected
- the amount of pain or other symptoms you experience, and its impact on your lifestyle.
- Physical therapies including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry
- Medicines including prescription, non-prescription and complementary medicines
- Exercise, healthy eating, finding a balance between activity and rest
- Pain management techniques such as relaxation and meditation; and
- Emotional and social support
- Medicines and arthritis
- Complementary therapies
- Supplements and arthritis
- Physical activity
- Healthy Eating
- Massage and arthritis
“My key to managing my arthritis means balancing my physical activity and rest, eating well and being surrounded by supportive people”Read More
Work with Your Healthcare Team
- How to work effectively with your healthcare team
“I know my body best, so it makes sense that I be a key member of my healthcare team”Read More
Don't Delay, See Your Doctor
What to expect when you go to the doctor
When you first visit your doctor, you will be asked a number of questions about your symptoms including:- How long you have experienced pain?
- Which joints are affected?
- When you get pain and what seems to cause it?
- What makes the joint feel better or worse?
- Whether anyone else in your family has had arthritis or joint pain?
- The types of arthritis
- Arthritis and specific joints of the body
- Blood tests for arthritis
“Early diagnosis and treatment can limit the effects of arthritis on your life”Read More
Take Control by Knowing Your Disease
Arthritis - what is it?
Arthritis is not a single disease. The word ‘arthritis’ is a name for a group of more than 100 conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis can affect many different parts of the joint and nearly every joint in the body. People can be affected in all sorts of different ways but the most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness and swelling in one or more joints. The three most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Sometimes getting a true understanding about your condition can be a bit like a puzzle – information gives you the pieces bit by bit. For more information refer to the following information sheets:- What is arthritis?
- Different types of arthritis
- Symptoms of the most common types of arthritis
“once you have a diagnosis, there is a lot you can do”Read More
COVID-19 Vaccination for Rheumatology Patients
The Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) has provided an updated Q&A information sheet on COVID-19 vaccination for rheumatology patients. The sheet covering questions such as Why is it important for me to have the vaccine?; Will the drugs that I take for my condition affect the way the vaccine works? and When will people with rheumatology conditions receive the vaccine? Can be downloaded here.
Minister announces $4 million for the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis
Arthritis & Osteoporosis Tasmania welcomes the announcement on 27/3/19 from the Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, that the Commonwealth Government will invest $4 million towards the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis. Led by Arthritis Australia in partnership with key consumer and medical groups, the Action Plan outlines key priorities for preventing arthritis, investing in research and improving treatment and support for people living with the condition. For more information click here.
The Joint Movement
Strength Training Program
Take the first step to a healthier you. The Joint Movement Strength Training Program is a 12 week group exercise program led by a trained exercise professional. Program includes a pre-exercise assessment. Vacancies are currently available in programs at Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingston.
ALL PROGRAMS:
Cost: $10 per session
Bookings: (03) 6228 4824
Would you like to gain or further develop your professional knowledge and skills in the areas of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions?
Arthritis Essentials is a competency based, nationally accredited unit of competency, designed to provide healthcare professionals working with or supporting people with arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions, with an easily accessible means of professional development.
Continuously available online at https://learning.arthritistas.org.au
For more information click here.