How can a health coach support someone with arthritis?

If you’re living with arthritis, a health coach can play a crucial role in helping you make positive lifestyle changes that complement your medical treatment plan. This approach, often called “lifestyle medicine,” empowers you to take control of factors within your reach to improve your quality of life.

A health coach can guide you in several key areas, including nutrition, sleep hygiene, exercise and movement, mindfulness, and breathwork. By addressing physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being, you can potentially experience significant improvements in how well you manage your arthritis.

Health coaching is a collaborative partnership that empowers people to discover their motivations and strategies for making lifestyle changes. A health coach meets you where you are in your lifestyle journey and supports you in looking towards a healthier future. They specialise in helping you form healthy habits and make sustainable lifestyle changes by integrating the latest science and practice techniques.

A health coach’s role involves actively listening, motivating, inspiring, educating, and empathising with you as you work towards becoming a better version of yourself. They provide tools, education, and resources to support your journey of positive change. Importantly, a health coach does not diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions but instead focuses on your overall well-being.

How to Find a Health Coach

Ask your GP practice

Contact your GP practice to inquire if they have a health coach as part of their primary care team. These health coaches work alongside doctors and nurses to provide additional support. Their services are free for enrolled patients, offering various mental well-being support and tools. Access to a health coach is often available without long waits, sometimes even on the same day.

Community pool or gym

Some community pools and gyms have health coaches, they may charge for this so make sure you ask before booking.

Arthritis NZ

Arthritis NZ has health coaches specifically for arthritis-related support and they are part of the Arthritis Assist service. To make an appointment with one of our health coaches, call our free phone number at 0800 663 463. They can provide tailored support to help you manage your arthritis more effectively. This is a free service!

With the expertise and support of a health coach, you can take meaningful steps towards a healthier lifestyle, improving your overall well-being and managing conditions like arthritis more effectively.

Watch:

How to Talk to your Health Team if you have Arthritis