ANDREW'S ARTHRITIS STORY

For years before his diagnosis, Andrew experienced recurring pain in his back, glutes, chest, and muscles without a clear explanation. Despite consulting many healthcare professionals, his condition remained undiagnosed until it reached a breaking point during his physiotherapy studies. The pain began waking him at night and was unresponsive to typical treatments. After seeing his doctor and getting bloodwork, he discovered high levels of inflammation and a genetic marker called HLA-B27, often associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis, an autoimmune condition in the category of inflammatory arthritis. While the diagnosis was initially shocking, it was also a relief to finally understand the source of his pain. He then began targeted medication, which significantly reduced his inflammation and pain.​

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This personal experience with arthritis led Andrew to take a student placement at Mary Pack Arthritis. After graduating, he worked at Vancouver Coastal Health's OASIS clinic, a triage clinic for knee and hip osteoarthritis patients. Andrew then expanded his focus, working with the respected rheumatologists at Artus Health Centre, helping patients manage their arthritis and maintain an active lifestyle. In recent years, Andrew has contributed to the UBC Master of Physical Therapy Program as a lab instructor for the Rheumatology module, sharing his expertise with future physiotherapists. As a physiotherapist with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Andrew feels uniquely positioned to help others struggling with inflammatory arthritis.