AAMP Testimonials

I had been a nurse since 1992. In 1997 I injured my back in doing my "normal" nursing duties, which for us included lifting patients. I was initially told that I would recover within 3 months. I failed 2 return-to-work trials within those 3 months and reinjured as well. As I saw different specialists and surgeons I was told I would never nurse again, apart from the normal daily activities I would be unable to perform. Even the simple things such as the washing, driving and gardening. I had numerous physio and doctors visits, a gym program, and a rehab provider with all their requirements, along with 2 failed work trials. I had facet joint injections and 3 rhizotomies. All with little effect and short term results.

As at June 2001 over 3 ½ years after my initial injury I was still taking antiinflammatories, sedatives and up to 8 Panadeine Forte a day. My life was not very fulfilling and always under the cloud of pain and medication.

In June I was invited to attend a Manutention Industrial Applications Cert 2, which I enrolled for. The day before the course started I was in pain and nearly cancelled. With encouragement from the trainer I agreed to attend anyway. The first day of the 4 day course I was hesitant and "careful". That night I expected to feel sore. I had managed to complete all tasks for that day. The second day I woke up with only thigh muscle stiffness. I had had no back pain overnight. This shocked me. I completed the course and gained competency without a problem. Even after 4 straight days of lifting and moving as I was not used to doing, I had no back pain.

My good fortune continued. A week later I still had no pain and I managed to do 2 days of gardening, rather than the usual 10-15 minutes. The following week with encouragement from family and growing confidence I enrolled to do a nursing refresher course, full time for 4 weeks. I handled the ward work well without pain.

It has been 2 months now since the manutention course and still no pain. I am now employed and nursing. My first shift was on the 4-year anniversary of my injury. What sweet justice!!

I am more aware of my movement than I have ever been and I don't even need to concentrate to move correctly. I suppose it's just so nice to be pain free that the correct movement has become like second nature.

It is 1990 and I have just started working as an Education Support Swimming Teacher - working with students with disabilities - full time. The ages of students are from 4yrs to 18 years, all types of disabilities, intellectual, physical (mild, moderate, severe), mobile and non-mobile. A fantastic job, very enjoyable, and I was suited to perfectly. Here I am, physically fit and healthy.

Being a swimming teacher, I personally love the water; therefore my chosen profession was working with students with disabilities who need water therapy. Swimming regularly for fitness and fun (2 - 3 km per week). Always being sporty, from windsurfing to netball - I was more than prepared for a long career and back pain was the last thing on my mind. I was not overweight, had no prior injuries, was in my early 30's and continued to live a very active healthy lifestyle.

From 1992 onwards, there were several small injuries, a bad twist here, over stretching there, the normal things that happen when you work with others as a carer. I was still fit and healthy and knew that my body would heal itself. But it didn't - it gradually got worse and worse. In 1997, I began several return-to-work programs, suffering from continual back pain. In September 2000, I had a fusion, L5-S1 and unfortunately still suffer with back pain.

WHERE AM I NOW? It is now 2002; I no longer work with students with disabilities, as my neurosurgeon stated this is far too risky - working with unpredictable students. I therefore resigned from the Education Department in October 2001. 'Goodbye' to working at a job I loved; sport that kept me fit and healthy, and 'Hello' to constant pain; taking medication; problems relating to taking pain medication.

I did a Manutention course for 5 days in March 2001, as part of the rehab program. I learnt a way to move that didn't cause back pain. I re-educated my body in movement - unlearning bad behaviours. I found I could do things - with confidence. When you suffer from pain, you are constantly on the defensive and avoid simple day-to-day tasks; in case you upset the back - gradually losing confidence in movement.

Using the manutention postures and movements, I have not re-injured. I still swim for exercise and fun, but unfortunately I do need pain medication to manage my back pain. I am resisting further surgery.

So impressed with manutention - both in the prevention of injuries, and assisting people who have injured to get more out of their life, I decided to become a trainer in Manutention. I know how easily it is to injure and how injury can alter your working career and change your life forever.

Hi, my name is Kathie; I’m a 42 year old Disability worker from the northern suburbs of Melbourne. I have worked in this field for the past 17 years and I am also a single mum of a 3 year old little girl. Juggling both jobs has often been hard, and due to the nature of my job and the fact that I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, the wear and tear on my back and joints has sometimes been very painful and even debilitating.

After completing the normal/compulsory levels of manual handling taught to me over the past 17 years, I never really thought to much about it, and would often go along to these training sessions with the mentality of "oh not another one" Then, about 2 years ago, I was asked become the "Manual Handling Officer" in the respite house where I work. So off I went to yet another manual handling course. This time everything was different to what I was used to, this time, it was Manutention techniques. I found it new, and being based on natural movement, very sensible.

After doing my best to absorb all, I enthusiastically returned to my workplace and made and encouraged the changes required. I found after a while, I wasn't so "body" tired after every shift. Then about a year later, I was asked to do the 5 day Basic Health Manutention course. To be honest, I found this course was both physically and mentally draining. But because things were not so rushed, like in your one day courses, it became increasing clearer that these techniques applied not only to moving a client from their chair to a toilet or their bed to the chair, but in nearly every action that we take in our lives that normally require manual handling.

Following this 5 day course, I made changes to every part of my life, not only at work. The way I pack/unpack a shopping trolley, do the dishes, clean my teeth, mop a floor, and even pick up my child, has all changed for the better. I don't have a sore back, I no longer have tired muscles at the end of the day, my joints and arthritis rarely flare up, and my overall health has improved dramatically.

I strongly believe that doing this basic 5 day course should be compulsory for everyone, from disability workers thru to office workers, it all applies. I am grateful that my employer has started to see the "big picture" and has changed manual handling training to Manutention techniques.
It’s a smarter way to move.

Kathie