Improving the life of every person in New Zealand affected by arthritis

If you have arthritis, or know someone with arthritis, we are here for you! We provide information, advice and support for anyone diagnosed with arthritis. We can put you in touch with healthcare professionals and other community supports throughout the country.

Our work also includes advocating for people with arthritis, funding research, and contributing to health policy. Arthritis affects more than 647,000 New Zealanders and is a leading cause of disability. There are more than 140 forms of arthritis and there is no cure, but it can usually be managed effectively. Most people with arthritis continue to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

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The ‘Your Community, Your Voice’ Bloggers

Phone coaching service in Waikato: take charge of your arthritis:

Take charge of your arthritis with a new phone coaching service available throughout the Waikato DHB region. Call 0800 663 463 to sign on for three months of a telephone coaching service, and learn how to: Understand your arthritis Manage pain Gain skills for the...

3 September 2018 – Pharmacy Clinic

Book your 30 minute appointment with Arthritis Educator Carolyn Wood at the 1-on-1 Pharmacy Clinic. Learn how to manage your arthritis in a 30 minute individual appointment. DATE: Monday 3 September 2018 TIME: Book a slot between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm VENUE: Unichem...

This week was such a blast

Every minute I get to enjoy with my wife is special – she holds my heart. Between us we had determined that I needed a break as much as we needed some time together by ourselves. I had some leave, initially only for Monday and Tuesday. Leave days at our place usually...

Autumn days and nights

Gee, it was tough getting out of bed this morning. I’ve been getting up and out at 4.00am this week to claim my spot at the balloon festival. It’s happening thanks to a most supportive and understanding boss/colleague and I’m truly grateful and appreciative. It’s also...

Mutual support works well

My greatest support is my ever-patient and tolerant wife. She arrived on the scene knowing photography would take some priority in our lives. This may involve her waiting in or around the car for hours alone while I could be metres or kilometres away. Having said...

Saltwater therapy

The holidays began with the usual arthritic family in tow – you know, Mr and Mrs Pain and Suffering. Because they live together, they ignore each other, and I’m pleased to report they’re muted – no whinging and whining in this camp. Then there’s the stiffness group,...

Managing my arthritis

Just when you think you’re just keeping it together, an artist crosses over. Last time it was David Bowie, and I had to sneak time in a quiet spot at work to process that event – a majorly tough day. This time, thankfully, it happened on a Sunday, New Zealand time....

Too stubborn to quit: My life with ankylosing spondylitis

Two days ago I felt on top of the world. I had lots of energy, my pain levels were very low and I had just completed a half marathon with no negative after effects. I was quietly confident that the new medication I started three months ago was having a positive...

One for my wife

As someone with arthritis, I find it a tough ask to deal with my ‘self’, especially as this self is in constant denial about medical conditions. This self needs to be the tough one in the family, to be able to know where to go, how to do stuff, on call and ready to go...

Hotriggeredkiwi: River reflections

It was so quiet and peaceful on the river this morning. The weather wasn’t brilliant, requiring the Swanndri for warmth and some protection from the impending rain. Even the hunter’s long pants got used as the riverbank grasses are now thigh deep; they dried quickly...

Hand hub: Exercises for thumb arthritis

Exercise for thumb arthritis There is increasing evidence for the benefits of strengthening exercises for thumb arthritis. Exactly which exercises? Still nothing specific from the literature! Go for pain-free We try and give pain-free exercises whenever we can,...

Kate Meldrum: My disease has made me a better person

“Your disease is something you have, not who you are.” “Don’t let your disease define you.” These are common phrases those with chronic illness often hear. When I think about it the flip side of these sayings, though, I realise that chronic illness is a major factor...

Sarah Shelton: Taking care of you

It’s pretty easy to forget about looking after ourselves some days, especially if we have a lot of things going on, or we are having a bad health day. A chronic health condition certainly makes this a little harder than ‘normal’, and the stress of daily living can get...

Olivia Hall: Mobility parking… a perk you really don’t want!

Yes, I know I am young and to you I look perfectly healthy sitting inside my car. I can see it in your eyes – you have already judged me before I’ve even attempted to move. I bet you didn't know that I get nervous butterflies every time I pull into that park. I...

Hotriggeredkiwi: All in a day’s work

Oh bother, it’s time; and, look, outside it’s dark and raining again. No, it’s hail too, wow, it must be cold, time for the Swanndri. Bah, it’s a struggle, what is it now? Oh of course, yesterday on the river with the whitebaiters in the rain, must’ve gotten wetter...

Hotriggeredkiwi: No one said it would be easy

This blog takes six hours to write up, on average. During the working week I spend a total of 56 hours at home, including sleep time. I struggle with reading and writing, always have, probably always will. What to say? Where to start? Letters, words, and sentences...

Alison Wilding: Exercises for thumb arthritis

Exercise for thumb arthritis An increasing body of evidence is out there for the benefits of strengthening exercises for thumb arthritis. Exactly which exercises? Still nothing specific from the literature! Go for pain-free We try and give pain-free exercises whenever...

Alison Wilding: OA of the thumb

Osteoarthritis of the thumb is one of the main arthritic problems that a hand therapist* can help with. The joint in question is the one at the very base of the thumb down near the wrist joint. You may hear the term ‘CMC’ joint being referred to, or the ‘basal joint...

Kylie Frost: Dinner won’t cook itself, but how do I open all of the product packaging?

It is 6 o'clock at night and I have finally finished work for the day. I head to the fridge to check what I can cook for dinner. In another life I was a chef and loved to cook. Now I dread it. Oh goody, mince again. Maybe lasagne? The thought fills me with dread. Not...

It’s the little things that matter

It’s amazing the small things in life that most people take for granted, like simply getting out of bed after a good night’s sleep. Or the jump-up-quickly-because-you-are-late spring that happens and the quick race to get ready for the day. Not the shuffle, roll and...

Hotriggeredkiwi: Never let the bastard (arthritis) win

The iciness quickly cut through to the bone as I walked to the beach. Then the pain transferred to the cutting of razor sharp edges of oyster shells and dull bites of stones on bones as they hit pressure points of my feet.

Val Bird: To loo or not to loo, that is the question!

I started gripping the toilet-roll-holder as a ‘push me up.’ However, while this helped me to get back on my feet, it still caused a nasty crunching pain in my knee. I was also concerned that one day the toilet roll holder would give way, causing both me and the toilet wall a significant problem.