Charity status granted for ANZ chronic pain group

We’re pleased to bring you some positive news today (Tues, 30 July) with the chronic pain organisation, Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (NSANZ), gaining charity status approval thanks to its leading role in this area since 2006.

Neuromodulation, also known as Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), is a minimally invasive and reversible therapy that may prove an effective option for those who have tried, and failed, other pain management treatments. SCS is super clever and works by intercepting pain signals as they travel along nerve fibres through the spinal cord, before they reach the brain.

With an estimated one-in-five Australians and New Zealanders (that’s an incredible 3.24 million people) living with chronic pain, you probably have a family member or friend who struggles with this condition on a daily basis.

What most people don’t realise is that chronic pain isn’t preventable, or the result of poor health choices. The debilitating condition affects young and old, and can significantly compromise a person’s life, both from a physical and mental health perspective. As we know, this can lead to social isolation and a loss of purpose.                                                          

Every year, an estimated 50,000 spinal cord stimulators are implanted worldwide, mostly for persistent or worsened pain after spinal surgery, and for the severe nerve pain condition, known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). That’s why it’s so important to have an Australian expert group in this field.

NSANZ has also just appointed Melbourne-based pain specialist and anaesthetist, Dr Nick Christelis, to the job of  President.

“I am truly honoured to have been appointed President of NSANZ,” Dr Christelis told LIV.

“I am also delighted that NSANZ has been awarded charity status, which will allow us to perform three major functions – fund and promote further research in the neuromodulation field; educate doctors training in this medical field; and establish a neuromodulation device registry.

“Chronic pain is a significant health challenge for Australia. As a not-for-profit, we will strive for continuing improvement to patient outcomes, and to ease the significant economic impact of pain,” he added.

“I am genuinely excited at the prospect of further consolidating our organisation’s significant success to date, and continuing to strengthen our position as professional pain management industry leaders.”

Here at LIV, we are also pleased to see NSANZ has created a Women in Neuromodulation sub-group, which focuses on the leadership, coaching and mentoring of female pain physicians practicing in this field of medicine.

Find out more about the great work this organisation does here: www.neuromodulation.com/australia

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