Osteoarthritis Classes

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling and loss of movement in joints.  Regular exercise can help with arthritis pain management, reduce stiffness and assist you to keep doing your everyday activities.  A registered physiotherapist takes our Osteoarthritis Classes, which are provided in association with the East Health Trust.

Physical and mental advantages of classes.

Referrals to Osteoarthritis classes may be given if you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee within the last 12 months.

The programme includes topics like:

  • Basic joint anatomy and caring for your joints
  • Information on medication and how to manage flare-ups of symptoms.
  • Healthy eating and weight management, as increased weight puts more strain on joints.

The most important aspect is the exercise component.

You will be taught exercises that can, in time, maintain your mobility, improve your flexibility and fitness. Pain and stiffness are reduced and further joint damage minimized. It is useful to meet other people in the same situation, you can support and encourage each other and find companionship.

Our physiotherapist help you achieve your goals

  • Experienced physiotherapists supervise the classes
  • Progress at your own rate
  • Share the experience with other people living with symptoms of osteoarthritis
  • Enjoy companionship
  • Improve fitness and emotional wellbeing

Effective Osteoarthritis Classes

Joining this class helps you to manage your symptoms better and improve mobility :
  • Exercises are changed to meet all levels of ability
  • It helps improve muscle strength, flexibility and reduces stiffness and pain
  • Improves balance which helps prevent falls
  • Your independence is maintained and quality of life improved, boosting mental wellness

Health care professionals providing osteoarthritis classes

Dr Wen Chen
General Practitioner
Fluent in English and Mandarin. Dr Chen graduated from the Fujian Medical University of China.
Dr Yimin Wang
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, Mandarin and Shanghaine. Dr. Wang is graduate from The Anhui Medical University of China in 1988.
Dr Jayani Kannangara
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, and Sinhalese. Dr Kannangara has an MBChB from the University of Otago.
Dr Ahmed Kareem
General Practitioner
Fluent in English and Arabic. Dr Kareem graduated in 2007 and has a post-graduate diploma from the University of Auckland.
Dr Therese Khella
General Practitioner
Fluent in English and Arabic. Holds postgraduate Diplomas in Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology from The University of Auckland.
Dr Carlos Lam Yang
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, and Cantonese A graduate of the University of Otago, 2008. A dual Fellow of the Royal New Zealand Colleges of General Practice and Urgent Care.
Dr Sonia Kamdar
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, Gujarati and Hindi. Dr Kamdar is a Fellow of the RNZCGP and a graduate of the National University of Ireland (UCD).
Dr Sara Jayne Pietersen
General Practitioner
Fluent in English. A graduate from the University of Auckland. She has completed her fellowship with the RNZCGP and has a postgraduate diploma in Paediatrics.
Dr Preetam Durshanapally
General Practitioner
Fluent in English, Telugu, Hindi and can understand some Punjabi Dr. Durshanapally graduated from Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, India and migrated to New Zealand in 2012.
Claire Bidois
Nurse
Fluent in English. Claire graduated as a comprehensive nurse in 1991. Her background is mainly in practice nursing and urgent care nursing.
Cassie Wilson
Nurse
Fluent in English. Cassie graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing degree from Manukau Institute of Technology in 2013.
Rozena Watson
Nurse
Fluent in English. Rozie graduated with a Bachelor of Health science, Nursing.
Deepika Nand
Nurse
Fluent in English and Hindi. Deepika completed her high school in Dunedin and Bachelor of Nursing at the Manukau Institute of Technology.
Taryn-Lee Deverick
Nurse
Fluent in English and Afrikaans. Taryn-lee graduate from Manukau Institute of Technology in 2021 and is passionate about working on improving community health.
Cheryl Harris
Nurse
Fluent in English. Cheryl completed a Comprehensive Nursing Diploma in 1995.

Frequently asked questions

To join our clinic, you first need to fill out the patient enrolment forms to register with the PHO that we belong to. This is a Ministry of Health requirement.

You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility which may include the following forms of identification:

  • NZ Passport or NZ birth certificate
  • International passport with resident visa OR work visa of minimum 24-month duration

On the enrolment form you need to indicate which of our doctors (currently taking new patients) that you would like to be registered with.

Yes. As part of completing your enrollment, we request that you have a new patient screening appointment with one of our Nursing or Medical Centre Assistant team members.

This new patient appointment enables our team to work with you to better understand your current health and wellbeing.

Following the new patient appointment as above, you can book your first consultation with your nominated doctor.

All GP appointments are 15 minutes long.

  • One appointment is for a single health issue.
  • Should you wish to have a 30-minute GP appointment, it will be charge at a non-subsidized rate.
  • Depending on your age and health, one of our specialist nursing or pharmacist clinicians may be able to spend more time with you.

If you are a new patient, you will get full access to the patient portal “My Indici” once you have completed your enrolment.

Payment is required at time of consultation. Please note that unpaid accounts will incur an additional $10 monthly administration cost.

There may be additional costs for treatments/tests/materials

We recommend that you book your future appointments via your patient portal My Indici.

If you need an urgent appointment, then please phone the clinic. We have doctors available to discuss your urgent health needs on the day.

All consultations are by appointment only.

Patient portals are secure online sites where patients can access their health information and interact with their general practice. Set up access to your patient portal at http://www.botanyjunctionmedical.co.nz/patient-portal/ or email info@bjdocs.co.nz if you would like help.

We recommend that you plan ahead and request your repeat medicines via your patient portal My Indici two weeks before you run out. If you do not have access to a portal, you can phone us and leave a message with the nurse to organise this. Our doctors use an electronic prescribing system which can send your prescription to your local pharmacy (please specify name and location).

Under 14 years free
14-17 years $16
18+ years $18.50
Urgent prescription 14+ years $27.50

The results of tests that have been ordered by our Doctors will be available on My Indici when they have been reviewed. If your test results are of concern you will be contacted by one of our team.

We are open
Monday 7am to 5pm
Tuesday 8am to 5pm
Wednesday 7am to 5pm
Thursday 8am to 5pm
Friday 8am to 5pm
Saturday 8am to 12pm (Midday)

For health services after hours visit East Care Accident & Medical, 260 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland 2013. Their phone is 09 277 1516.

These are consultation prices only.

Under 14 Years - Free
14 - 17 years - $13.00
18 years & over - $29.50

Note charge is the same for in person or by phone or video as you are still receiving the same high quality health provider assessment, diagnosis and planning.

We understand that things can change on the day, but we ask that you call us to advise that you are not able to make your appointment. If we do not hear from you minimum 2 hours prior to your scheduled time, you will receive an invoice for this missed appointment.