|
|
PAIN MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER |
|
|
|
|
Have you ever had a headache? Experienced back pain? Abdominal pain? Well, it is most likely that your answer is yes, right?! Everyone has gone through some type of pain during their life. When performing everyday activities our bodies utilise a certain amount of energy, which, when it runs out will send us some kind of signal that is time to take a break. If we keep pushing, we start experiencing unpleasant and/or uncomfortable body sensations - pain. |
|
|
|
While some factors can maybe cause you to feel fatigued more frequently such as medical conditions, disability or age, you may find the need to conserve that energy to ensure you don’t wear yourself out. So, the team from @Occupational Therapy Services Group put together this guideline to help us out with ways of energy conservation and task simplification, in order to conserve as much energy as possible. Some important points to remember 1. Think about what you will be doing that day, and determine what tasks are important to complete. 2. Make a plan, which allows ample time to complete each task. 3. Do more strenuous tasks during the time of day you have the most energy. 4. Go slowly and pace yourself. 5. Develop more efficient ways of doing each task. 6. Use pursed-lip/diaphragmatic breathing for as many activities as possible throughout the day, as this is one of the best ways to conserve energy. 7. During any activity, inhale while at rest and exhale while exerting yourself. Remember the 4 P’s to help save your energy |
|
|
|
Prioritise
• Begin with the most important activities. • Set realistic goals for your day. • Schedule the most important activities first so they are completed before you run low on energy. |
|
|
|
|
Plan•
Be organised.
•
Plan ahead and gather all items you need.
•
Keep all items within easy reach.
•
Plan for breaks and rests.
|
|
|
|
|
Position • Push or pull across a surface rather than lift. • Carry items close to your body, keeping your back straight. • Avoid bending twisting and reaching. • Maintain an upright position when sitting and standing. |
|
|
|
|
Pace•
Spread heavy tasks throughout the day and week.
•
Rest often.
•
Do not schedule too many activities on one day.
•
Allow enough time to complete a task without having to rush.
•
Keep a slow and steady pace.
|
|
|
Know your limits, it is okay to ask for help! |
|
Energy conservation aims to limit fatigue and protect joints. Energy conservation is also achieved by simplifying everyday tasks. This involves reducing the number of steps involved in everyday tasks or even eliminating tasks that are not essential.
If you want, this information is also available as a downloadable .pdf for you to print or you can get a copy at our @SolutionsCentre. |
|
|
|
CHOICES, CONNECTION AND SUPPORT
When it comes to meal preparation, some people prefer cooking every day and some rather take a few more hours to cook meals for the whole week. What about you - what team are you? This month, we asked our social media followers and visitors to the @Solutions Centre their preferences and the results were surprising... |
|
Whichever option you choose, cooking is a task within other tasks - shopping, washing, chopping, mixing, etc - which requires planning and managing a couple of activities. If you go with weekly meal prep all these tasks are fit into a single day, it will still require a few hours and can demand a bit more from our body. If you decide to cook every day, while you will be in the kitchen for less time on the same day, some tasks may be required to be done multiple times. In both cases, some people can experience fatigue and/or pain which may impact their occupational performance. Adapting the way we cook can enable and help us to continue with our daily living activities. Altering the way the tasks are completed can facilitate both meal preparation choices such as simplifying the way we cook by using pre-cut packets or even meal-kit delivery as this would reduce the time it will take to prepare the food and mean there will be fewer steps to master. If you live with someone else, by involving other people, tasks can be divided between everyone and can be less tiring. Other solutions can involve using some kitchen aids that can facilitate meal prep such as a Thermomix®, which guides every step to completing a recipe, from adding and weighing each ingredient, to chopping, mixing, stirring and cooking through pre-set time, speed and temperature settings. We are also doing a session on how exactly can a Thermomix® help achieve those goals when it comes to meal preparation and cooking at home? and you can register on the link down below. Like anything food/cooking-related, it all comes down to preference. Remember to make sure you include a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your eating plan. It is very important that you enjoy whatever it is that you’re eating!
|
|
PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT @National Trade Suppliers - NTS has been supporting the @Solutions Centre since the very beginning and was on board with this idea even before there was a name! In the last few months, Tony and Shirley decided to find someone else to keep going with the amazing work they've been doing within our WA Community. So, this month we are delighted to get to know a bit more about Dermot & Eileen, the new Director & Manager of Operations and Office Manager & Director @National Trade Suppliers - NTS. 1. How did you get where you are today? "Taking a long and windy road with many wrong turns, but we did manage to find our way." says Dermot and Eileen says - "We only found our way when we learned what’s really important in life. How you treat people." |
|
|
|
2. What motivates you to get up for work every day? Eileen says "What motivates us is the desire to do some meaningful work and build something for our family." 3. What is your proudest moment? "Our daughter" both of them quickly reply and Dermot continues..."Our proudest moments come day after day watching our daughter grow." 4. How do you enjoy your evenings after work? Dermot replies "Well, it is 8.26 pm, so I will let you guess what we do most hours of the day Monday to Friday!" hahaha.. he continues.. "we are small business owners, looking to find our feet and grow our business, so we do spend a good part of our evenings discussing and planning our next work day." |
|
|
5. What's your favourite hot beverage? "My Favourite hot beverage is definitely a nice coffee - Long Mac!" says Dermot and Eileen replies " Mine is a Cappuccino"☕... Easy easy, we have both options at the Solutions Centre hahaha.
We are very thankful for @NTS support since the early stages of the @Solutions Centre & for Dermot and Eileen's joining our #DisabilitySolutionsCentre community and ongoing support! |
|
ASK THE TEAM! Do you have any questions or a problem you want our team of experts to help you solve? We're here to help you! Just reply or send us an email and our team of experienced therapists, suppliers & engineers will work together to find you a solution! Within the recent changes in the NDIS Mid-Cost Assistive Technology budget, we had Max visiting our Solution Centre and asking the following question "I have been told I just need a letter from an OT? is that all that I need?". So we asked Alanna Doig, the OT Manager at @Occupational Therapy Services Group, to explain a bit more about it:There are multiple factors that might prevent your Occupational Therapist from just writing you a letter. The NDIS expects Assistive Technology Assessors & Advisors to consider multiple factors to support participants, including: • Risk of Assistive Technology equipment and mitigating those risks. • Value for money to meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary guidelines. • Behaviours which may impact participant safety using the assistive technology • Considerations around if the assistive technology would be deemed a restrictive practice
• How will this AT support you to meet your NDIS goals
• Is the AT providing you with long-term benefit, and will it be effective and beneficial now and in the future? As OTs are AHPRA registered health practitioners, we maintain a duty of care and clinical responsibility to ensure you are supported with the most suitable options based on your goals and assessed need. Therefore, OTs will follow the assessment, trial & prescription process to support you in obtaining necessary low-cost high-risk, mid-cost and high-cost assistive technology. |
|
CELEBRATING 🥳🚗 The new white @Total Ability
High-Level Assessment Vehicle is well and truly settled in Perth permanently!🙌 Paul and Dani made the drive across to personally deliver the van to Troy & Brooke from @Freedom Motors Australia who is organising the assessments with the HLAV in WA. |
|
Garden Kneeler - The Cyclone Foldable Seat / Kneeler is a great aid for gardeners who suffer from joint pain or fatigue. Ideal for both kneeling and sitting, this product provides comfort and support. Featuring an extra thick EVA foam pad and strong carbon steel frame for comfort and durability. The height of this kneeler is adjustable and is suitable whether you prefer to sit or kneel.
|
|
Switch Stick - Switch Sticks are made with lightweight aluminium material to provide sturdy support for weights up to 120kg, While also making them light to carry. If you're a lover of fun and colourful mobility aids then you will be happy to know that switch sticks come in over thirty unique designs in a variety of colours to match your personality and style. "If a walking stick is needed, why not select one that fits your individual style".
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homecraft Lightweight Foam Cutlery - This Cutlery Set is made with durable stainless steel while the grips are made out of lightweight foam to help those who experience weak or painful grips. The foam is comfortable to hold and washable all while being quite discreet. Set includes Standard Knife, Standard Fork, Standard Spoon and Standard Teaspoon, also available separately. |
|
|
Anko Air Fryer - Great for when you are low on energy but still need a nice cooked meal, an air fryer is just so versatile and requires very little preparation and cleaning up. Featuring an LED control panel with 7 pre-set functions and a removable frying basket so ease of cleaning. This air fryer also includes overheat protection and 30-minutes automatic shut-off fail safes so if you forget to check on your cooking or need to rest, you can rest assured that your food won't catch fire. |
|
|
|
26th July 2022, 1:30pm - 3pm or 3:30pm - 5pm Driving is such an important goal for so many people and opens many opportunities for increased independence. 🚗 Whether you (or someone you know) love to drive or would love to drive. When driving with disability there are many elements that need to considered beforehand... From getting appropriate driving lessons and gaining a special driver's licence, to vehicle modifications, funding options and more. For many people with disability, being able to drive safely is empowering and transformative. Some people even describe it as life-changing … others as lifesaving. So, we invite you to join us on this Ed. Session to understand all things Driving with Disability and even have-a-go at using the modifications! |
3rd August 2022, 11 am - 1 pm Gaining independence with meal preparation is an important task of daily living for many participants within the NDIS.🧑🍳 Often people with disability are looking for assistive technology to build capacity and increase independence in the kitchen. While Thermomix® is an NDIS-approved product, how exactly can a Thermomix® help achieve those goals when it comes to meal preparing and cooking at home?
So, we invite you to join us in this interactive session to learn how you can use a Thermomix® to achieve independence with meal preparation - we will even send you home with a nifty handout with tips on accessing low and medium cost items through the NDIS!
|
Fortnightly on Mondays
, 11 am - 1 pm Join Amber and Tracey at this amazing opportunity to make new friends while creating something unique.
🖼️
This Art Time Session welcomes everyone to get together to have some fun time while participating on an artwork project. You can bring your own project or take the opportunity to bring something new to life.
All ages and abilities are welcome. If you are a participant (or you’re working with a participant) who would enjoy and benefit from participating in a creative activity in a welcoming community space, We encourage you to join us.
|
|
|
|
This message has been sent to you because your email address is on our subscribers list. OT Services Group will work hard to respect your inbox & use this mailing list to keep you updated with quality information as well as the first point of contact for upcoming events, activities & education. If you decide that you no longer want to hear from us, just click unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
