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

Arthritis New Zealand has joined forces with Diabetes New Zealand to call for uric acid testing for gout to be included alongside blood sugar tests.
High levels of uric acid in the blood can cause painful gout attacks and lead to long term joint damage and disability if left untreated. Gout is more common in New Zealand than anywhere else in the world with very high rates in Māori and Pacific men. The disease is closely associated with diabetes and heart disease.

Come along and learn more about arthritis and self-care, including pain management, exercise and much more. Presenter: Robyn Tuohy, Arthritis Educator Monday 2 October 2017

Come along and learn more about arthritis and self-care, including pain management, exercise and much more.  Presenter: Robyn Tuohy, Arthritis Educator Tuesday 10 October 2017

On the contrary, Kiwis with arthritis envy patients in other countries, says Arthritis New Zealand’s CEO Sandra Kirby. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said on Tuesday that our health system is the envy of the world and performing well compared with other countries....

The Rethink Pain Workshop (Whakatane) Running each fortnight, each event is a standalone session that requires RSVP booking to secure your place. The event is run by the Whakatane Hospital and the Disability Resource Centre in Whakatane

Attn: Arthritis New Zealand members As members of Arthritis New Zealand one of our rights, and responsibilities, is the ability to nominate and vote for members of the Governing Body.  I am fortunate that our current Governing Body is of a very high calibre– and that...

Rotorua Water Based Exercise Polynesian Spa Pool Hinemoa St, Rotorua 3010 Mondays 8.30am Rotorua Support Group. Laurie Breadmore  07 345 6004 *Also known as ‘immersion classes’ *To register or for more information please contact Laurie Breadmore 07...

Your Heart Looks Like A Vagina, is a one man show by Dominic "Tourettes" Hoey. The show combines poetry, comedy and theatre, to tell Dominic's real life journey from developing Ankylosing Spondylitis (a rare form of arthritis), being bedridden, to eventually...

A new online programme available in your area is helping people manage their osteoarthritis and share with others who have the condition. 

The programme, called MOA (Managing OsteoArthritis), provides access to an online community and a personal health coach. People can also track their mood or symptoms, keep a food and exercise diary, and access other information and resources via the web and mobile app.

Palmerston North Hospital has employed a new rheumatologist, bringing much-needed relief to patients suffering from chronic pain. MidCentral District Health Board confirmed a female rheumatologist would be starting in late July.

by admin | August 23, 2017 | Jane Messer, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Find what works for you. Keep some energy for enjoyable activities. Hang in there and don’t go it alone – reach out for support. Spring is just around the corner!

by admin | August 21, 2017 | Erin, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

I would encourage you not to be afraid or embarrassed to talk to your GP or rheumatologist if you’re struggling with insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, lack of appetite or feelings of exhaustion. Six months on an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication may make all the difference to you. It never hurts to ask.

by admin | August 17, 2017 | Daniel Umaga, Uncategorised, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

A key task for me in my work at Arthritis New Zealand is promoting awareness and services about gout amongst Pacific communities. Gout is the second most common form of arthritis in New Zealand and more prevalent here per head of population than anywhere else in the world. More than 160,000 people were diagnosed with gout in 2014 and 22,000 of these were Pacific people.

by admin | August 15, 2017 | Valma, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

I learnt a lesson last year while taking this arthritic body on holiday. Here we were in scenic Queenstown on a coach tour when a last-minute change of hotels meant my request for a room with a walk-in shower was a ‘no go.’ All the rooms in this hotel had a shower...

by admin | August 13, 2017 | HotriggeredKiwi, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

As with anything else, the tougher and more distant the gain, the more satisfying the reward. Walking to location in the pre-dawn half-light, I’m sure that my forever trusty tripod has turned into the heaviest dark slithering wet beastie with a life of its own.

by admin | August 12, 2017 | Tim, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Today’s words come to you courtesy of something all who live with ART (my nickname for arthritis) will understand, I'm sure. Next month I take part in my toughest cycling challenge yet – the Le Mans Pearl Izumi 24H Velo. Apart from the physical training, the mental...

by admin | August 10, 2017 | Olivia, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Olivia: Mobility parking, a perk you’d rather not have! The truth is that parking close is not a perk and it’s not something I enjoy. To me it means that today I cannot blend in; that I cannot walk far without severe pain. I’m already pushing my boundaries by being out and about.

by admin | August 8, 2017 | Hand Hub, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

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 of the thumb’. CMC stands for ‘carpometacarpal’; in other words, the joint between the metacarpal and the carpus (in this instance the trapezium bone).

by admin | July 26, 2017 | Fundraising, News, Tim | 0 Comments

Tim Neal lives with osteoarthritis and has endured several major operations on his joints. But that won’t stop him competing next month in the Le Mans Pearl Izumi 24 hour cycling race in France and raising money for Arthritis New Zealand. Tim was first diagnosed with...

by admin | July 20, 2017 | Kylie Frost, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Two years ago I left my rheumatologist’s office with nothing more than advice. No further treatment options were available. There was no magic pill to make my pain disappear. Over 30 years of searching for an answer and I finally had a diagnosis. I had a name –...

by admin | July 20, 2017 | Sarah S, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

If you’ve had arthritis a while, the chances are that someone (or perhaps many people) have reminded you of the importance of exercise for managing arthritis. The medical professionals are right about that – exercise is a helpful tool for pain management. In fact,...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Gezellig, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

I’ve been struggling all week to come up with a topic for this blog post. I haven’t felt particularly inspired or creative and have been struggling just to manage day-to-day life. I’ve put it down to the fact that my arthritis has been flaring a bit this week, nothing...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Erin, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

I was walking to my car when I dropped my keys. I stood staring at them. I was alone on the large expanse of grass at university. No one was around to help. Now what? Arthritis arrives I was only seven years old when I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Olivia, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

“That is all I want in life: for this pain to seem purposeful.” - Elizabeth Wurtzel "Your daughter has systemic lupus erythematosus." It was six simple words, strung together in a sentence that would dramatically change a young family’s life, as they nervously sat in...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | HotriggeredKiwi, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Another long week at work with 50-plus hours on the clock... again, the extrication of self out of an extremely warm, soft and cosy bed on this cold autumnal morning is a toughie. I have to wake up anyway, even if only to silence the alarm that is yet to go off at...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Tim, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Big day yesterday started my mental conditioning. In endurance sports, you can train the physical side with hours and k's in the saddle, but that can never prepare you for the many things you will mentally have to deal with. The hardest part to train and maintain is...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Tonya, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Wednesday, 7 a.m. 1 spoon. Miss 10 stumbles into the room and snuggles in for our morning cuddle, followed by Miss 8. It’s our favourite way to start the day, and it reminds these two they’re loved, despite my limitations.   7.15 a.m. 5 spoons. I’ve had a quick...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Kate, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Is your mind full or are you being mindful? There is a big difference and since figuring out this difference, my mind and body have been so much more in sync. I wake up every morning, count 10 deep breaths then slowly assess my body from my head to my toes. I ask...

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Valma, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

Self-help She was young, she was pretty and she was smiling.  There I sit – not so young, not so pretty and definitely not smiling. All the same, I’m going to hang onto her every word, because you see, I found this lady inside my computer trapped in a self-help video....

by admin | July 7, 2017 | Sera, Your community your voice | 0 Comments

arthritis ɑːˈθrʌɪtɪs/ noun A disease causing painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. That word goes round and round and round in my head like an old record. Arthritis – it's such a funny word to say out loud – arf-right-izzz. I think the more you say it the...