in this issue

don’t get down, get movingIf low back pain is getting you down, we’ll get you moving.

the fuss about core stabilityWe can help you keep your stress under control.

NatraTone™An innovate exercise programme for your pelvic floor & inner core.

fish provencalA tasty recipe to complement our healthy eating plans.

Everyone seems to have a different ‘cure’ for low back pain (LBP), and often sufferers find themselves trialing a number of different approaches.

Fortunately research evidence has gradually revealed the more effective approaches, with spinal stabilisation exercises (e.g. Pilates) being one of these. However there is still little information available into the patients’ experience of this treatment approach. A group from South England (Sobunbi et. al., 2010) have recently addressed this. Their aim was to discover what a group of LBP sufferers thought of a spinal stabilisation program. What their overall experience and why did they think it was successful? By collecting this personal information

about a successful treatment approach, it is hoped that positive elements of the intervention can be maximised, and its success enhanced.

How did they get this information?

• Nineparticipantsofacomprehensivespinal stabilisation program for LBP volunteered to discuss their experience.

• Theprogramranfor6weeksandincluded education, a video, one on one instruction of the exercises and opportunities for questions. Participants were encouraged to continue home exercises at least once a day after the program finished and were assessed again at 18 weeks. The volunteers experienced a range of improvements, from minimum to maximum.

• Theparticipantswereencouragedto talk about their experience and opinions of the stabilisation program.

What were the positive elements of the spinal stabilisation program above and beyond the reduction in pain and improvement in function?

• Knowledgeofwhatwashappeningintheir bodies.

• Empowermentandconfidencetohelp themselves.

What aspects of the program promoted these positive effects?

• Closesupervision.• Providinginformationthatthe

participants felt was personally relevant.• Consensusoftreatmentgoalsbetween

participant and therapist.• Feelingthetherapistreallylistened

to them.Reference Sokunbi, O., Cross, V., Watt, P. & Moore, A. (2010) Experiences of individuals with chronic low back pain during and after their participation in a spinal stabilisation exercise programme – A pilot qualitative study. Manual Therapy 15, 179-184.

activenewsissue 16

Active Physio can give you the empowerment and confidence to manage your own back pain

activenews issue 16 physio • pilates • gym • and more | www.physio.co.nz

One Free Pilates Class WitH tHis COuPOn

low back pain? don’t get down, get moving!This is a great message for anyone, but never more so than if you suffer low back pain (LBP). A recent study has added weight to this claim by showing an association between increased psychological distress and decreased physical activity in those with chronic LBP. This is the first study to use an objective, real time measurement of activity, by way of an accelerometer strapped to the patient’s thighs, rather than self-reporting, which has been shown to be inaccurate. As elevated levels of psychological distress are known to hamper treatment of LBP it is in your interest to actively manage any feelings of depression and anxiety, whilst getting on the go and enjoying some activity.

The researchers noted that this study could not explore any causal relationship between distress and levels of activity but results were significantly interesting to warrant further investigation by way of larger scale and longitudinal studies. On average, the distressed group spent 1 hour less time standing and 30 mins less time walking than those in the non-distressed group, over 1 week. This difference was most evident on non-working days so employment status could not account for the disparity. Neither could age, gender or body weight which were similar between the two groups.

So improve you sense of wellbeing with the Active Physio Stress Management program, and get on the go by enrolling in the Get Active Package. The evidence is clear- don’t get down, get moving!

ReferenceRyan, C., Gray, H., Newton, M. and Granat M. (2010) The relationship between psychological distress and free-living physical activity in individuals with chronic LBP. Manual Therapy 15, 185-189.

activenews issue 16 physio • pilates • gym • and more | www.physio.co.nz

Here is a good kiwi example of the muscle dynamics within your body. Have you ever walked over a sling suspension bridge? The wires of the bridge are in constant tension even when there is no-one on the bridge. It may be “at rest” but something is still working to hold it up!

Then along comes a walker and crosses the bridge. The tension in the wires increase with the “load” but with no obvious movement in the wires. This is because it is an internal action due to the structure within the bridge. However movement occurs throughout all the joins of the bridge – have you ever thought that the bridge boards were going to open up? But the wires remain static (we hope)! And the more people on the bridge equals more load resulting in more tension in the wires which controls the movement within the joins.

Perfect engineering! Get aCtive tOday

get activeGet up, get moving, get active!

why all the fuss about core stability?The body is held stable by the action of the core muscles that act to hold the body together. The core muscles give the platform for the more superficial muscles to perform.

The function of the core muscles is to “hold” and therefore allow the more superficial muscles and the joints they cross to “move”.

STaBiLiTy PromoTES aBiLiTy!

Weakness, pain and and/or tiredness on movement or sustained positioning is a result of an imbalance in the “hold verses move” relationship.

Most people are very aware of their superficial muscles – because they can see them and the “form“ of the muscle. That is their shape, tone and action – and you can feel how strong they are. However the shape, tone and action rely on a base that most people are not aware of. The form requires a base that is in a constant but low grade tension to control the torsional forces produced by movement caused by a superficial muscle action.

15min SLiNG TEST For FrEE find out where you’re postural muscles are at

NatraTone™ – a kiwi innovation with global impactActive Physio has been selected to be the first health professionals in the world to promote the new innovation called NatraTone™. It is an exercise programme with a training aid to facilitate the control of the pelvic floor and inner core for the relief of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

Designed by two Kiwi women, NatraTone™ is manufactured in the USA from FDA medically-approved material which is both PCB and Phthalate free. The NatraTone™ ABC exercises, along with the femininely contoured NatraToner™, teaches women how to correctly train and strengthen their pelvic floor and inner core muscles, helping to naturally overcome symptoms of a weak pelvic floor such as SUI.

a NaTuraL ChoiCE

NatraTone™ with its unique sensory biofeedback training aid is designed to be

a women’s first choice treatment option for SUI. Research has shown that compliance with the NatraTone™ programme will improve 70% to 90% of women with SUI. Research also shows that 1 in 3 women have SUI or Inner Core weakness with symptoms that are embarrassing and in many cases, debilitating.

No morE EmBarraSSmENT whEN LauGhiNG, CouGhiNG, SNEEziNG or ExErCiSiNG!

NatraTone™ incorporates the NatraToner™ (the training aid); a DVD detailing the 6 week NatraTone™ ABC exercise programme with real-time pelvic floor muscle training (5mins. 2 x day, 3 x week); an informative instruction booklet where you can record your progress and exercise compliance; plus the support of the NatraTone™ web site: www.natratone.com

NaTraToNE™ – NaTuraLLy kEEPiNG womEN aCTivE For LiFE

An independent pilot trial showed that a woman who has completed the NatraTone™ programme is 12 times more likely to have

reduced urine leakage than a woman doing usual pelvic floor exercises.

Regular pelvic floor and inner core exercises for women pre and post birth, and all women as they age, significantly reduces the chances of ever developing SUI.

BETTEr SEx NaTuraLLy

Published research supports the fact that strengthening the pelvic floor and inner core enhances sexual responsiveness. See www.natratone.com

GET your NaTraToNE™ From aCTivE PhySio

Please ring for mail order or come in to your nearest branch. We are also happy to support with professional advice on this and other services to achieve the goal you want.

Get Well, KeeP Well WWW.PHysiO.CO.nz

Clinically proven to prevent, eliminate or reduce symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (sui)†

strong toned pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can enrich your sexual experience

Made in USA www.natratone.com

Feel Confident and in Control.no More leaks!*

with real Time Training DvD

activenews issue 16www.physio.co.nz | physio • pilates • gym • and more

healthy eating plansAre you feeling the need to shed some of the winter kilos? Active Physio in associationwithEatFitNutritionalistsand the Open Polytechnic are now able to deliver our Shape Up programme. It is a 12-week / 12-step programme which teaches EatFit fundamentals, meal suggestions, shopping and menu templates, recipes (see example below), goal setting and education around GI foods, water, alcohol, eating out, package labeling and more. CallnowforyourFREEassessment and to hear more about the programme and how you can successfully achieve a healthy weight and be enabled to maintain it.

FisH PrOvenCal (serves 2)500g firm fish fillets such as takakihi or kahawai

½ TBSP olive oil

½ onion finely chopped

1 clove curshed garlic

1 can diced tomatoes, crushed

45g kalamata green or back olives, pitted and cut in half lengthwise

1 TBSP white wine or tomato juice

1 TBSP fresh or 1 tsp dried chopped basil

½ TBSP fresh or ½ tsp dried thyme leaves

Preheatovento200ºC.Cutfishintoserving sized pieces. Place in single layer in baking dish. Bake for 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil in saucepan. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until onion is softenened. Add tomatoes, olives, wine/juice, basil, garlic and thyme. Simmer, uncovered over a medium heat for 3 minutes.

Remove fish from oven. Spoon sauce over fish. Return to oven and bake for a further 5 minutes or until fish is flakes easily with a fork.

Serve with baked kumara and salad or green vegetables.

auCkLaND

airPorT oakS (RTP Physiotherapy Ltd.)

38 Richard Pearse Dr Ph 2750360

aLBaNy (WAM Ltd.)

100DonMcKinnonDrPh 444 1925

DomiNioN rD (Gillian Webb Ltd.)

718 Dominion Rd Ph 6310010

ELLErSLiE (KateCorbettLtd.)85 Main Highway Ph 579 0004

EPSom (Brigit Holford Ltd.)

264ManukauRdPh 5240624

hiGhBrook (ERH Physio Ltd.)

35 Allens Rd Ph 273 7414

howiCk (ERH Physio Ltd.)

4/15CookStPh 5359160

mT roSkiLL (Prentice Physio Ltd.)

211 White Swan Rd Ph 6266467

PaPakura (AE Burr Physiotherapy Ltd)

79–85 Gt South Rd Ph 2961026

royaL oak (Anduril Enterprises Ltd.)

641ManukauRdPh 6252703

TakaNiNi (H J Walker Physiotherapy Ltd.)

88 Great South Rd Ph 2997690

NorTh iSLaND

BEThLEhEm (Active Life Physiotherapy Ltd)

16BethlehemRdPh 075766999

kaikohE (Active Ltd.)

59 Broadway Ph 09 401 0750

kErikEri (Fizzio Ltd.)

2/7 Homestead Rd Ph 09 407 4288

NEw PLymouTh (Siobhan Roebuck Ltd.)

3 Young St Ph 067699992

PaPamoa (Active Life Physiotherapy Ltd)

Palm Springs Bvd Ph 07 542 1814BOOK yOur Free sHaPe uP assessMent tOday

shape up programmeTake back control of your life...

The goal of being a nationwide brand has become closer to reality with the amalgamation of Active Life with Active Physio. We now have 2 branches in the Bay of Plenty - one branch in Bethlehem and the other in Papmoa.

Jen Lochray, the principal physio and now franchisee has been based in the Bay of Plenty of the last 10 years. She took sole ownership of the 2 practices in 2009 having been in partnership withKathVickersfortheprevious4years.

Jen was born in Paisley and grew up in the Glasgow area. She cameovertoNewZealandin2000withherpartnerGeoffandafterayearintheFarNorthmovedtoPapamoaintheBayofPlenty. 10 years on, Jen continues enjoying the Bay, sharing it with Geoff and her two young daughters. Anyone wanting to hear a good honest Glaswegian accent should give Jen a call because she still hasn’t got a kiwi twang yet!

Jen’s philosophy, shared by her physios, reflects the integration of injury management through hands on physio and exercise rehabilitation with the emphasis on core strengthening. Her approach matches the Active Physio way of thinking: that is we manage our clients holistically to find lasting solutions as opposed to treating immediate problems.

Welcome Jen and her wonderful team in the Bay.

active Physio Bethlehem 16BethlehemRoad ph075766999

active Physio Papamoa Palm Springs Boulevard ph 07 542 1814

active physio is now in the bay of plenty

we’ve moved

activenews issue 16 physio • pilates • gym • and more | www.physio.co.nz