Media statements by Ms Nomonde Mbadi, Executive Director: Corporate Affairs
Research on lower back pain
MTech student Caryn Marshall is currently undertaking research study investigating Chronic Mechanical Lower Back Pain and to establish which of the treatment being used is effective.
The research aims to determine which of the treatments are the most effective in treating chronic mechanical lower back pain. She was inspired by the prevalence of lower back pain and little research on the Transeva.
Marshall’s research will provide information on each of three treatments as to how effective they are in treating chronic mechanical lower back pain. The three treatments are spinal manipulative therapy, Transeva therapy and spinal manipulative and Transeva therapy together.
She stated that this groundbreaking research is yet to be completed, prior to publication.
For comment please contact Caryn on 084 207 1424.
Research gives remedial hope to asthmatic patients
MTech researcher Shekaar Rampersad has undertaken a study on the effect of spinal manipulation and ribcage mobilization in improving lung function in chronic asthmatics as compared to using a bronchodilitor (asthma medication).
Rampersad says that research based on anecdotal evidence indicates that spinal manipulation may be beneficial as an adjunct to pharmacological therapy in chronic asthmatics. Though these findings had not been conclusively proved, he says recently, a study (Kriel, 2005) had shown that ribcage mobilization was useful in improving lung function and chest wall expansion in healthy asymptomatic individuals. He says the author of the study recommended that this procedure be attempted on symptomatic individuals.
He says asthmatic patients that were treated at the Durban University of Technologys Chiropractic Day Clinic were suggestive of an improved ability to breathe after spinal manipulation and there was also a reduction in asthma medication usage. He adds that if the outcomes of this study were positive, spinal manipulation and ribcage mobilization could in future be incorporated into the global management programmes of chronic moderate asthmatic patients.
He started collecting data collection for his research in December 2007 and his research has been submitted for examination.
For comment, please contact Shekaar Rampersad on 082 849 5595 .
Remedy for shoulder pain patients
MTech Chiropractic student, Warren Jordan is currently doing research in order to determine the efficacy of manipulative therapy for the treatment of shoulder pain in male patients who do weight training. He started doing his research at the beginning of 2007.
Warren was inspired to do this research having experienced shoulder pain himself and being involved in training, both himself and others. Working as a part time personal trainer, he has seen shoulder pain as quite a prevalent complaint. He also felt that there was not enough literature to support the efficacy of chiropractic treatment related to the shoulder.
He believes his research will benefit the community mainly by making them aware that chiropractic is not only useful for spinal complaints but extremities as well and to encourage the greater utilization of chiropractic as an alternate form of conservative therapy for sports related injuries as opposed to medication and surgery.
He intends completing this research at the end of this year.
For comment, please contact Warren Jordan on 083 357 9574.
Study on the effects that therapeutic ultrasound has on blood flow in the radial artery
Desiree Varatharajullu is currently conducting a study to determine the effects that therapeutic ultrasound has on blood flow in the radial artery. Varatharajullu is doing a MTech degree in Chiropractic. Researchers, Miss D. Varatharajullu and Dr. J. Shaik are working on this study in collaboration with Mr. S. Skosana.
Therapeutic ultrasound is used as a non-invasive modality in the treatment of several musculoskeletal complaints especially tendonitis, bursitis, sprains/strains, post-operative pain and arthritic conditions by specialists in physical therapy. It has been established that one of the mechanisms put forth to explain the healing effect is increased blood flow to the area of the body tissues (lesion).
Varatharajullu says that several researchers have conducted investigations on therapeutic ultrasound and its effects and there is still no consensus reached on this issue. The aim of the study therefore is to investigate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound on radial artery blood flow and lumen diameter using a doppler ultrasound. The research study is designed in the form of a double-blinded investigation using a minimum of 50 healthy asymptomatic individuals between the ages of 18-45 years.
The purpose of the research is to test one of the hypothesis by which therapeutic ultrasound is supposed to work i.e. increase in blood flow following application. Whether this actually occurs is still the subject of debate amongst researchers.
Inspired by the quest for truth she believes this research will benefit patients who undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation. She adds that this research will increase the knowledge of how ultrasound works, the healthcare practitioner is better able to utilise this modality to produce the best results.
She is a tutor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and research assistant in the Department of Chiropractic and Somatology at DUT.
For information please contact Desiree Varatharajullu on 031 373 2512/2205.
Testing knowledge and perceptions of health officials for chiropractic profession in SA
MTech Chiropractic student Praveena Maharaj is currently meeting with members of parliament and executive health department officials that serve on the provincial and the national Health Portfolio Committees (HPCs) of South Africa to establish their level of knowledge and their perceptions of the chiropractic profession.
During the meetings Maharaj attempts to identify any trends that may exist between the committees. Being in constant contact with members of parliament, she has identified the importance of establishing the perceptions and the knowledge that this group has of the chiropractic profession to determine the effect it has on the promotion and integration of chiropractic in the primary health care system in South Africa. She believes this can only be addressed by first assessing the perceptions and level of knowledge of the individual members of the legislatures. She is optimistic that her research will enable chiropractors to identify their starting point of their campaign to promote the chiropractic profession in the country as a whole.
Maharaj’s research, which is done in the form of a questionnaire, will help her evaluate the level of knowledge and the perception of the chiropractic profession within these HPCs. As a result a sequel to this study would be to measure current perception and knowledge with the aim to improve or enhance this knowledge possibly allowing chiropractic as a profession to gain recognition, status and opportunities both provincially and nationally within the health care system.
She began her research enthusiastically at the end of her third year in the six-year long chiropractic course. She worked closely with her supervisor, Dr. Charmaine Korporaal, who both inspired and motivated her to move quickly forward with her research. She is now in the process of conducting her research. While she is visiting each province and meeting with members of the HPCs, she is carrying out her research and networking with very powerful and influential members of society, who she hopes will assist the chiropractic profession in future.
She spends most of her time working at the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the Durban University of Technology where she enjoys treating patients.
For comment, please contact Miss Praveena Maharaj on 0732567399
——————————————————————————————————–
Enhancing communication between Chiropractors and children’s doctors
Chiropractic student Sarah Heslop is currently conducting research entitled: “The knowledge and perception of Paediatricians in South Africa with respect to Chiropractic”, to help improve communication between chiropractic professionals and children’s specialist doctors. She is doing this research study for her MTech degree.
The purpose of the research is to determine the knowledge and perceptions that Paediatricians have of Chiropractic, if they refer patients for chiropractic treatment, how they feel about the communication between Chiropractors and Paediatricians and how this communication can be improved. She started doing this research in 2007.
Heslop was driven to do this research because of her interest in the treatment of paediatric patients and would like to further do a post-graduate study in Paediatric Chiropractic.
She is confident that this research will be beneficial to the Chiropractic community as “we do treat a number of paediatric conditions but are unsure whether this literature equates in referrals from Paediatricians”. She adds that this research will also help with regards to communication between the professions, and Paediatricians who respond to the survey can also request to receive information on Chiropractic Paediatrics which will help in better understanding between the professions.
For comment, contact Sarah Heslop on 083 298 7895.