Chronic pain is finally on the agenda

The National Pain Summit to be held in March 2010 is to be commended, with work commencing on a national draft strategy to have pain management addressed as part of the Federal Government’s national health reforms. 

Chronic pain affects one in five people and up to 80% of people living with chronic pain are missing out on treatment that could help to improve their quality of life and health. 

The following specifically addresses chronic back pain.

Some 85% of Australians over 35 experience some level of back pain. Musculoskeletal health has been included as one of the Governments’s National Health Priority Areas (NHPA’s) because of it’s profound burden on the health of Australians.

Prof Carlson, Adjunct Professor at Victoria University’s Centre for Ageing, Rehabilitation, Exercise and Sport, and Mr Mackay, Physiotherapist, have undertaken research into a machine in Melbourne that is considerably reducing chronic back pain.

After using the machine, the average increase in lumbar strength for patients was 41.1% for the males and 48.8% for the females while improvement in pain and disability function was 46.9% and 55% respectively.

A second study of a much larger group of patients is being finalised now. The research method was supported by the Human Ethics Research Committee of Victoria University.

The machine is Kieser Training Centres ’ Lumbar Extensor Machine. The machine has been developed in Switzerland and is used for lumbar spine function diagnosis and for following Muscular Strengthening Treatment (MST).

Doctors in the European Kieser Training Centres have been using these machines for over 20 years and achieving outstanding patient outcomes.

• Machine focus is on specific core lumbar muscles 
• Machine used to improve strength of the lumbar extensors by isolating the back muscles and ensuring that the gluteal and leg muscles are immobilised which is achieved by securing the pelvis 
• Patients are overseen throughout testing and therapy sessions by a physiotherapist who has been trained in the Kieser methodology. 
• Most patients only require 12 sessions of 30 mins. duration to gain benefit. 
• Private health insurance rebates apply for all MST therapy

Kieser training franchises offer preventive and medical health oriented strength training.