Medications used to help treat nerve pain.

Managing a flare-up

Online and face-to-face Support Groups and Peer Support give people the chance to connect...

Why RA puts you at greater risk for heart disease, and what you can do to protect yourself?

Opioids are medicines taken to help reduce pain. They work on the central nervous system to slow down nerve signals between the brain & body

Upadacitinib is a tablet that belongs to a class of medicines called Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAK inhibitors work by blocking signals

A range of healthcare professionals may be involved in helping you manage your arthritis.

Rheumatology I think was the first speciality to recognise the importance of the team...

A GP is really important as part of your ongoing care. The GP can actually be the key if ...

One of the key that I find as a general practitioner is to help a patient to accumulate ...

You are the most important member of your healthcare team.

Your general practitioner (GP or local doctor) is usually your main provider of health care. He or she should be your first point of ...

A rheumatologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical treatment of joint, muscle and bone disorders. Your GP will...

Rheumatology nurses are nurses with a specialist knowledge in arthritis. They can provide you with education, support and advice on your...

Pharmacists can help you to understand your medicines and how to take them safely and correctly.

Physiotherapists are part of a team of healthcare professionals who can help you to resume or maintain an active and independent life...

My role as a physiotherapist with inflammatory disease so with rheumatoid or with psoriatic...

Exercise physiologists specialise in designing and delivering safe and effective exercise programs for people with chronic medical...

Psychologists can teach you ways to cope with any pain and difficult emotions you feel as a result of your arthritis.

Occupational therapists (OT) can show you ways to make activities of daily living, such as cooking and showering, easier and provide...

Podiatrists specialise in conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. They may find ways to reduce the pain in your toes, knees or...

Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition. They provide advice about healthy eating, weight loss and diets...

These days more and more the role of the dietitian is that support role. With the knowledge...

Orthopaedic surgeons specialise in surgical treatments for problems caused by disease and injury (trauma) in the bones, joints and other...

I know there’s an old saying that says, ‘when you’re going through hell, keep on going.’ You must do that because you might not be going thr

No diet has been proven by research to cure arthritis. Be very cautious of special diets or supplements that claim to cure arthritis ...

Eat well. Live well. Be well. Is there really a diet that could cure arthritis?

Fish oils are oils found in the tissues of fish. They contain a certain type of fat called ...

Supplements can have a role to play. The trick is to understand which supplements are safe ...

Physical activity and exercise is extremely important for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It can improve mobility and flexibility of

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have concerns about exercising due to the fear of their condition worsening. However, exercise is

Exercise can help you improve your health and fitness without hurting your joints.

The first thing to do is to ask yourself: Why are you being active? Do you want to control your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms, lose ...

Water exercise involves exercising in a pool, usually a heated, warm water pool, and may also be called ‘hydrotherapy’.

Walking. It's free, low risk and one of the most effective means of reducing the pain and stiffness associated with rheumatoid arthritis...

Strength training is a name for activities or exercises that build the strength of your muscles. Strength training involves working your ...

Tai chi is an ancient, Chinese martial art form that is practised around the world as a type of gentle exercise. It involves smooth ...

Group fitness classes that focus on cardiovascular conditioning include step-type classes, dance-based classes, water classes ...

Golf is a game loved and played by people of all ages. It provides a stimulating mental challenge, a healthy walk in pleasant ...

In an age where so much information is available on the Internet; is it little wonder ...

‘Complementary therapies’ are any treatments or therapies that are not part of the conventional

Are your RA symptoms affecting your sleep, or is your trouble sleeping making your symptoms worse? The answer may be both...

Early, aggressive treatment. The first strategy is to reduce or stop inflammation as quickly as possible – the earlier, the better.

Left untreated, inflammatory arthritis can cause irreversible joint damage, impair physical functions

There are several secrets to achieving really effective therapy in inflammatory diseases

Why is the early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis so important? If people are experiencing these symptoms and have ongoing joint pain ...

If treatment is not taken early and quickly you can end up with serious joint damage.

If these conditions aren’t treated early, unfortunately the inflammation that occurs can really cause quite devastating joint damage.

You know that living with the pain, stiffness and fatigue of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as side effects of your medication, can...

They are a type of medication called a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug or DMARD for short ...

Biologics are a type of medication that can be prescribed for some forms of inflammatory arthritis ...

Etanercept (brand name Enbrel) is one of a group of medicines called biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (biological DMARDs or

If you know someone with arthritis, there may be many ways you could offer them your help. How that help will depend on how serious their ar

For each muscle group, tense for 10 seconds and release, taking a few deep breaths as you notice sensation that comes as those muscles relax

DMARDs are used to treat inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The most commonly used DMARD is methotrexate. It is important to note that the doses...

The biggest breakthrough in rheumatology. They treat the disease rather than numb the symptoms.

Methotrexate is prescribed for a number of patients with rheumatic diseases. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, even..

One of the problems with methotrexate is there are so many misconceptions about it

Methotrexate attracts a lot of bad press due to the fact it is used in very high dosages for cancer treatment.

Methotrexate is a well-established,

Once treatment is started, it is important for patients to maintain close contact with their general practitioner and their rheumatologist

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition where the body’s immune system...

The information below is useful if your doctor has recommended injections of methotrexate either for better efficacy or to reduce ...

Low dose once weekly methotrexate is the gold standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other immune related diseases.

This webinar by NPS MedicineWise (co-designed with the Australian Rheumatology Association and Arthritis NZ) reinforces the role ...

Leflunomide (brand name Arava) is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It is an ...

Studies show that as many as 80% of people with arthritis have difficulty sleeping. Whether you are having trouble entering dreamland,...

Adalimumab (brand name Humira) belongs to a new class of medicines called biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (biological DMARD

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may experience trouble sleeping. With painful, stiff and sometimes swollen joints, you may find

The word "acupuncture" is derived from the Latin words "acus" (needle) and "punctura" (penetration). Acupuncture originated in China...

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic health condition that can affect your physical health and your mental wellbeing

If you have arthritis, self-help devices can make tasks easier on your joints and more efficient for you. These products, which range...

Having RA can have a negative effect on your mental health.

Rituximab (brand name Mabthera, Mabthera SC, Riximyo, Truxima)) belongs to a new class of medicines called biological disease-modifying...

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pain can feel like the glass is half empty. But negative thinking and expecting worse case scenarios

Whenever there’s unchecked systemic inflammation and typically that’s inflammation we can ...

Fatigue is a feeling of both physical and mental tiredness. It is often described as ...

D-Penicillamine, usually referred to as penicillamine, (brand name: D-Penamine) is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis...

Wrist and hand splints may be recommended for you if you need protection and support for painful, swollen or weak joints in your hands...

It’s hardly surprising that RA is linked with anxiety and depression. It’s tough living with regular pain and fatigue. It can affect

Abatacept (brand name Orencia) belongs to a new class of medicines called biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (biological DMARD

Gold medicines were used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Soaking in warm water is one of the oldest forms of alternative therapy, and there’s good reason why this practice has stood the test of tim

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. It is what is known as an auto-immune...

The most important step to living well with arthritis is to learn about your condition and its management.

In the early stages, of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) you may not initially see any redness or feel any swelling in your joints, but you

In rheumatoid arthritis, patients will get hot and swollen joints very typically in the hands and wrists and knees and feet and ankles; agai

It’s estimated nearly 4 million people in Australia live with a form of arthritis and ...

One of the really important early symptoms is of early morning stiffness, where people wake up

While it can seem like a slow process, often that stepwise logical process of taking a ...

Arthritis can affect many parts of the body such as the neck, shoulders, back, wrists and hands, hips, knees, and ankles

Any joint in your ankles, feet and toes can be affected by arthritis. Many different types ...

Neck pain is pain that is felt in the upper part of the spine. It is sign that the joints, ...

Shoulder pain is pain that is felt in the shoulder area, at the top of the arm. It is a sign...

Low back pain is pain that is felt in the lower part of the spine. It is very common with...

Hip pain is more commonly due to osteoarthritis (OA), but can also occur if you have long-standing rheumatoid arthritis...

Any joint in your fingers, thumbs, knuckles and wrists can be affected by arthritis.

The knee is commonly affected by arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis (OA), but it is also a common joint affected by rheumatoid arthritis

You know that arthritis affects your joints. In addition to your painful, swollen joints your arthritis can sometimes affect other parts of

Here are three stories of people with RA living their lives to the fullest - meet Jamie Stelter, Aaron Sober and April Yazza.

Find ways where you can take part in to distract yourself from the pain caused by arthritis.

Wendy shares some of her remarkable experiences living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Pain relievers are often the first medicine your doctor will recommend to help with pain.

Already pregnant or just starting to think about pregnancy? Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting and overwhelming times in most

Physiotherapy is an important part of treatment for most people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s run by physiotherapists, who are ...

Please call our toll-free Arthritis Telephone Service number for information about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including self-management...

Click here to access downloadable resources relating to arthritis which may be useful to you, your patients and loved ones.

Not all rheumatoid arthritis relief is found in the medicine cabinet. Here are some easy ways to relieve your pain.

Undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis is still...

Sometimes the physical and emotional symptoms associated with arthritis can affect relationships ...

Hydrotherapy is the use of water in the treatment of different conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hydrotherapy differs ...

Most couples – whether they have arthritis or not – go through phases in their relationship when their sex life is less exciting or ...

If you have poor or disturbed sleep night after night, you may begin to notice your health getting worse. If you have rheumatoid arthritis

If medical therapy fails to control your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in one or more joints, surgery could be an option to help improve your ..

What is the value of distraction in living with rheumatoid arthritis? Can it help cope with pain? With fatigue?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) imaging tests are used to look for signs of RA and to monitor the disease’s progression. These tests primarily...

We don’t know what causes rheumatoid arthritis exactly. We know that it’s an abnormality ...

Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

When you have knee or hip surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you can look forward to better mobility and function afterward.

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to help you to participate in activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists can help by..

Living with inflammatory arthritis can lead to many challenges. There are lots of secrets to...

Your rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect you in many different ways, but your occupational therapist will help you with some of the ...

Paracetamol is a common pain killer (analgesic). It can also lower raised body temperature (fever). It is used for relief of fever, headache

There are many things you can do to reduce the impact of fatigue. Start by working out the possible causes then talk to your healthcare team

It is challenging enough to talk about intimacy and sex with a spouse or longtime partner. But if you are single and have arthritis, it can

NSAIDs reduce inflammation, joint swelling and stiffness. They are often used to treat...

Our resources provide information on different types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions...

If you know someone with RA, you may try to sympathise or offer advice. But be aware that some sentiments may do more harm than good.

You’ll need a thorough assessment of both the layout of your home and your own physical problems in order to choose the best stairlift for y

To those familiar with fatigue, the idea that it’s simply ‘feeling a bit tired’ is something of an understatement. The extreme exhaustion...

Hydroxychloroquine (brand name Plaquenil, Plaquenil Sulfate) is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditi

Can trauma or stress trigger the onset of rheumatoid arthritis? Can worrying make the disease worse?

Find all the official videos published by Arthritis NZ on rheumatoid arthritis

A joint is where two or more bones meet and is made up of a number of different parts that all work together so that we can bend, stretch, t

When you have arthritis, joint pain and weakness can make normal activities around the ...

Tips for every room in the house that you can easily apply to make everyday living with arthritis better and easier.

Getting the right shoes will make a difference for almost all foot problems and the importance of appropriate footwear should not be underes

Gardening is a really good form of exercise, but doing some actions over and over can lead to swelling (inflammation) and pain if you have a

Suzie always wanted to have children, despite the challenges of having rheumatoid arthritis.

Dozens of studies show that patients have better health outcomes when their doctors are effective, empathetic communicators.

Sulfasalazine (brand names Pyralin EN, Salazopyrin EN) is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be used to treat other

Prednisone is a hormone that is produced naturally in the body. It is necessary for the normal working of the body.

Suzie, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, found the courage to have a second child after having her first.

An introduction to the most common types of surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including tips on when to talk to your doctor about ...

Joint symptoms may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, a serious condition that can cause permanent joint damage if treatment is delayed.

Learn how your inflammatory disease and other factors may be causing your extreme tiredness.

Infliximab, also known as bDMARDs, helps with blocking natural substances called cytokines found in joints of people suffering from rhematoi

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at particular points in your skin. The therapist may stimulate the needles manually, by heat (wi

Living with pain can be one of the hardest parts of having rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understanding pain and learning techniques that may...

Blood tests can be useful to help diagnose some, but not all, types of arthritis. Always discuss your blood test results with your doctor.

There are many resources available to help you live with rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may put you in touch with a social worker, who...

Arthritis Today interviewed Suzie May, who authored the book Arthritis, Pregnancy and the Path to Parenthood. Here are some words of wisdom,

The GP will usually refer you to a rheumatologist to confirm a diagnosis and for treatment.

Two of the simplest, least expensive methods to relieve your pain are heat and cold treatments.

Choosing a doctor is something we all need to do at different points in our lives. That's especially true when you're dealing with the pain

By taking an active role in understanding and treating your conditions, you will experience less pain and stay more active than those who fe

An outline of financial support that may be available to you.

Even though arthritis may be a long-term disorder, we now have excellent treatment that...

It can be straight forward; they're referred to a rheumatologist immediately.

Pain is usually a protective mechanism that alerts your brain when your body is being...

Fatigue is a feeling of extreme physical or mental tiredness, or both. Most of us feel tired after a long day, but if you have ...

Good sleep habits (also called good sleep hygiene) are things that you can do to give your child the best chance of a good refreshing sleep.

Caring for your emotional symptoms is an important part of arthritis care.

Tocilizumab (brand name Actemra) belongs to a new class of medicines called biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (biological DMA

You have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your joints are sore and stiff and you may be fatigued. So why am I being referred to a psychologist?

There are 120 different kinds of arthritis. How do GPs identify which condition a person has?

If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, in the majority of people it will continue to progress, so people will experience ongoing inflamm

Raising a family is one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of life and having arthritis shouldn't stop you from experiencing it.

Lifting weights or resistance training offers numerous benefits to help manage arthritis pain. Exercise keeps muscles around affected joint

Click on to find a list of links to organisations around the world that help with issues relating to all types of arthritis.

Most people with arthritis wish to remain as independent as possible, so trying to find the right balance between providing help without be

A GP will ask several questions to determine what kind of inflammation a patient may have.