Finding the right resources and health professionals who best fit your individual needs is a very important step to managing your rheumatoid arthritis. 

There are many resources available to help you live with RA. Your GP or Nurse Practitioner is able to put you in touch with a social worker, who can help explain the financial and health services that are available to you.

These can include any pensions or allowances that you might be entitled to, plus any financial assistance which is available from Work and Income New Zealand such as the Community Services Card or other low-cost treatment programmes. Your local council, community health centre, community group, or religious organisation may also offer programs that include practical advice, activities, social networks, or just someone to talk to.

Arthritis NZ is always here to help you too. Please contact us via our website or our toll-free phone number 0800 663 463 to find out more about our wide range of resources, management programmes, and support groups. 

Additionally, the Independent Living Charitable Trust can provide you with advice on a wide range of products and services, including daily living aids and devices, that can help with your daily activities. 

Who can help?

There are many people that can help you deal with both the functional and emotional side of rheumatoid arthritis. Your first step is to try to talk honestly with your partner, parents or children about how you feel. Give them a chance to talk too – they might have worries or feel that they don’t know enough about your condition and how it is affecting you.

Visit your GP or Nurse Practitioner if you are worried about how well you are coping, as they may be able to suggest additional ways of coping or may prescribe medicines if you are especially worried or depressed. Many people with RA will also visit a physiotherapist. These practitioners can use various treatments, including exercise therapy and hydrotherapy (water exercise), to keep your joints as flexible, strong and pain-free as possible. They will also show you exercises and pain-relief techniques to use at home.

You might also visit an occupational therapist (OT), or they may come to your home or work. OTs can provide advice on how to do things in a way that reduces joint strain and pain and teach you strategies to protect the mobility of your joints, particularly those in your hands. They may also suggest changes to your house such as new taps or aids such as splints that can make life easier and protect your joints.

A podiatrist can help take care of your feet. They may find ways to reduce the pain in your toes, knees or hips, perhaps by providing shoe inserts or advice on footwear.

An exercise physiologist can give you advice about exercise, including how to get started safely and the best type of exercise for your health and ability.

Your GP or Nurse Practitioner may also refer you to a counsellor or psychologist, who can talk to you about your worries, feelings and moods, then suggest practical ways to work through them. If you want to contact a psychologist directly, call the New Zealand Psychological Society on 04 473 4884 or visit www.psychology.org.nz. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and Lifeline Aotearoa also provides information and advice about depression, anxiety, available treatments and where people are able to get additional support.

Rheumatologist

You can find a rheumatologist at the New Zealand Rheumatology Association or email: secretary@rheumatology.org.nz. 
 

Rheumatology Nurse

Rheumatology nurses practice mostly in outpatient clinics in public hospitals.

Physiotherapist

You can find a physiotherapist near you via Physiotherapy New Zealand's website or email: pnz@physiotherapy.org.nz. 
Ph: 04 801 6500.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

You can find an exercise physiologist via the Clinical Exercise Physiology NZ website.

Psychologist

To find a psychologist, visit the New Zealand Psychological Society website or phone: 04 473 4884.

Occupational Therapist

You can find an occupational therapist via the Occupation Therapy Board of New Zealand website or phone: 04 918 4740.

Podiatrist

You can find a podiatrist via the Podiatry New Zealand website.

Dietitian

You can find a dietitian via the Dietitians New Zealand website.
 

Dermatologist

You can find a dermatologist via the NZ Dermatological Society Inc website or email: Jane@nzdsi.org. 

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Find an orthopaedic surgeon via the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association website.

Acupuncture

If you do try acupuncture, it is important to look for a qualified practitioner. Acupuncture New Zealand can help you find an accredited acupuncture practitioner or ask your doctor to recommend a certified provider.

Quit Smoking

Visit Quitline website or email: quit@quit.org.nz. 
Visit SmokeFree website.

Mental Health-Related Websites

Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand: www.mentalhealth.org.nz. 

Depression: For more information on depression and treatments visit depression.org.nz 

Counselling Service: Free phone 1737 or text-24 hours-7 days a week

The CALM (Computer Assisted Learning for the Mind) website was developed by research staff at the University of Auckland: More details are available at www.calm.auckland.ac.nz. 

Healthify He Puna Waiora (formerly Health Navigator) is a website that provides New Zealanders with free and reliable health information and resources. Visit https://healthify.nz to find out more. 

The New Zealand Pain Society's website offers a Pain Resource called Navigating Pain: Finding the right path for your pain management journey.

The Pain Toolkit by Pete Moore offers a unique and tailored set of twelve tools or strategies to help and aid in pain self-management, plus a suite of tailored resources for both healthcare professionals and people living with persistent pain. For more information visit the www.paintoolkit.org website. 

Further information

Other resources

Arthritis Australia is Australia's leading national arthritis charity. The organisation works with affiliated arthritis organisations in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia to deliver information and support to the people of Australia. For more details, visit: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au. 

Versus Arthritis is the United Kingdom's largest charity organisation which is dedicated to supporting people living with arthritis. They provide a wide range of information for all people who have arthritis: https://wwwversusarthritis.org. 

The public area on the website of the American College of Rheumatology also contains many useful resources: www.rheumatology.org.