Diseases & Medications
National and international resources
about arthritis and rheumatic diseases, and their treatments
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A collaboration by Alberta’s Rheumatologists. Detailed information about our rheumatologic diseases, medications and complementary therapies, and other useful patient resources.
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Written by Dr. Andy Thompson, Rheumatologist in London (Arva), Ontario. Easy to read summaries about our rheumatologic diseases, medications and lab tests. Translations available in multiple languages.
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Canadian national group for patients with various forms of arthritis. Includes a wide variety of summaries of rheumatologic diseases, disease-targeting and complementary medications, pain management, getting active, educational modules, links to past talks and local events, and other useful resources.
VersusArthritis - Information Booklets
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UK-based group with educational handouts and resources about various types of arthritis, getting active, and living well.
Diseases & Medications
Disease-specific links
Ankylosing Spondylitis module
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Developed by the Toronto Western Hospital. An online educational module about ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory back pain and helpful physiotherapy exercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Lupus Society of Alberta and Lupus Society of Canada
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The national organization for vasculitis education and research. Includes useful patient handouts on various vasculitidies - giant cell arteritis (GCA), ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), Bechet's disease and others - as well as other resources for patients living with vasculitis.
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Canadian group on osteoporosis education, treatment and prevention. Useful information including a dietary calcium calculator and exercise recommendations for balance and stability.
Getting Active
Physiotherapy
There are lots of community physiotherapy options in Alberta. Physiotherapy is usually paid for privately, however your insurance plan may cover a portion. You can self-refer to most physiotherapists.
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Search physiotherapist locations near you: https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/
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Contact the AHS Rehabilitation Advice Line at 1-833-379-0563 for free phone advice on what services are appropriate and available to you.
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Corbett Hall Student Physical Therapy Clinic is a non-profit clinic within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alberta. Physical therapy students provide assessment and rehab under the supervision of licensed physical therapists. Patients can self-refer by calling 780-248-2070. Appointment costs are generally low. Because there is a focus on teaching, note that sessions may take longer than sessions in the community.
Getting Active
Educational and Group Exercise Programs
"Managing your RA" and "Managing your AS" Group Educational Programs via Rheumatology Rehabilitation Services (University of Alberta)
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A group education program run over several days, empowering people with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis to manage their health and improve quality of life. Includes sessions run by rheumatology-specific physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dieticians and Rheumatologists, an individual assessment prior to and follow-up 2 months later.
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Requires referral from Dr Jones - let us know if you are interested!
GLA:D® Canada Programs for early Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
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GLA:D® is an 8-week, group based exercise-based program developed in Denmark for people with symptoms of knee or hip osteoarthritis. Consists of two education sessions followed by 12 supervised exercise sessions over 6 weeks.
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Speak to your Family Physician - many PCNs offer the program (requires referral from within the PCN).
STEP Forward Supervised Transitional Exercise Program
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A beginner-to-intermediate transitional exercise program for people with one or more chronic diseases that limits their ability to move. Involves an individual assessment with an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and kinesiologist, 8 weeks of exercise, educational sessions, and individual followup.
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You can self-refer by calling the intake line at 780-735-3483.
AHS Better Choices, Better Health (BCBH) Program
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A free group educational program for people who live with or support someone who lives with a chronic disease. There are two streams - Chronic Disease Management, and Chronic Pain management. Workshops are in person or virtual.
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You can self-refer by clicking here.
Getting Active
Online educational modules
& sample exercises
The Arthritis Society has multiple online resources for getting and staying active, including (click text for link):
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Top 10 Arthritis Exercises for every body
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sample videos under "Exercise Videos" section: Pain Self-Management Tools
MyHealth Alberta – online information on getting and staying active
VersusArthritis "Keep Moving" Exercise Booklet
Ankylosing spondylitis and Inflammatory Back Pain exercises (pdf):
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sample exercises on regional MSK issues(eg. rotator cuff tendonitis, trochanteric bursitis, plantar fasciitis, low back pain)
Osteoporosis Canada "Too Fit To Fracture" and Balance and Stability exercise videos
Pain Management & Resources
Chronic pain is a common and usually frustrating problem. Many people have chronic pain syndromes in addition to, or related to, their autoimmune disease. To complicate this, pain syndromes like fibromyalgia can share features with diseases seen in Rheumatology.
Chronic pain is best managed in a collaborative effort by primary care physicians, chronic pain specialists and other allied health services.
Here are some useful online resources to learn more about why chronic pain develops and how you can actively work on managing it:
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The Arthritis Society – Pain Management Guide includes:
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Pain U Online - developed by Toronto Academic Pain Medicine Institute (TAMPI)
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Online learning modules on pain perception and management of chronic pain
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Educational summary about fibromyalgia
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The Arthritis Society – educational summary about fibromyalgia
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FibroGuide.com - online education modules on pain management & self-care
Pain Resources
Educational Group Programs
for peer support and self-management techniques
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AHS Better Choices, Better Health (BCBH) Program
A free group educational program for people who live with or support someone who lives with a chronic disease. There are two streams - Chronic Disease Management, and Chronic Pain management. Workshops are in person or virtual. You can self-refer online.
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AHS Virtual Chronic Pain Program
A new, free group-based education and self-management program for people living with chronic pain. Call 1-877-719-7707 for more information or to register.
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FibroFocus
A multidisciplinary online program based out of Calgary for people with diagnosed fibromyalgia. It is a free program through Alberta Health Services. Ask your primary care provider for a referral.
Dietary Resources
Diet interventions have grown in popularity in recent years for various types of arthritis, joint issuess and other aspects of health.
Although there is no one magic diet change to cure arthritis or autoimmune diseases, here are some useful resources on what we know so far.
More information to come!
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Arthritis.ca - Healthy Eating page
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Arthritis.org (US) - Dietary Resources page
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"Eating well with Arthritis" - handout - from the UK Versus Arthritis group
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Recipes and how to cook with pulses (legumes, like beans and lentils): https://albertapulse.com/eating-pulses/
Related:
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Dietary Recommendations for Fatty Liver Disease handout
Pregnancy & Rheumatic Disease
There are several considerations when planning pregnancy, between disease activity, medication safety and associated health & personal factors.
Here are some online resources that may help your journey. Please speak to Dr Jones to review your specific considerations.
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MotherToBaby.org Fact Sheets - helpful handouts and information on medication safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding
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HopStep - "Healthy Outcomes in Pregnancy with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (by Duke University)