A Breakthrough in the Treatment of Back Pain

Hobart Osteopathic Clinic and Chatswood Osteopathic Back Care Clinic are currently the only two clinics in Australia to offer this valuable approach to the treatment of back pain.

P.A.M. treatment is particularly helpful for those with very chronic back problems associated with marked rigidity and stiffness of the back.  It has also proved itself to be extremely helpful for those with spinal curvatures (scoliosis) helping to improve the mobility and markedly reduce the discomfort.  In some cases there has even been a reduction in the degree of curvature.  It is also extremely useful for those who wish to have periodic maintenance treatment to prevent the development or recurrence of back problems.

The device was invented by mechanical engineer, Robert Taylor, who, in the early 1980's  was asked by a doctor friend why it was that the lower back and the lower neck were the regions of the spine most commonly affected in those with back and neck pain.

From Robert's point of view the answer was quite simple. Using the analogy of an aircraft wing Robert pointed out that the strength of the spine comes from it’s flexibility and elasticity.  Observe an aircraft wing in flight, particularly in turbulence, and you will see it flexing up and down quite dramatically. This means that all the stresses acting on the wing are spread throughout the whole wing.  If it were rigid all the stresses would focus on where it meets the fuselage of the plane and the wing would soon break off.

Similarly in a healthy flexible spine the stresses on the spine are spread throughout it’s length no part being subjected to undue stress.  However over time, due to the various lifting strains, falls, sporting injuries, accidents and work injuries that we experience, our spines progressively lose that flexibility and the stresses become focused in the lower back where the spine joins the pelvis, as well as in the lower neck. These two areas consistently show the greatest susceptibility to wear and tear, degeneration and spinal disc problems.

Now that Robert had so easily identified the problem he was then asked whether he could come up with a solution. This was not so easy but after 14 years of research, including becoming a student of anatomy, neurology and body movement, he came up with Power Assisted Micro-manipulation (P.A.M.).

The advantage of P.A.M. over other  techniques used in the treatment of chronic back problems where  the spine's flexibility and elasticity have been lost, is the powered handpiece with it’s four "bionic fingers" which  work steadily but persistantly to free up the joint restrictions with much more persistence than even the fittest and strongest practitioner could achieve. Additionally the "bionic fingers" can be made to act like small reflex hammers which can be used to normalise the spines nervous reflex activity.  It should be noted that this "Biomechanical Instrument" has been specifically set up to be totally safe even on very old osteoporotic spines.

The P.A.M. equipment works in three different modes:

In SPASM MODE the pistons of the  bionic  hand  move  extremely quickly stimulating  spinal  reflexes  so rapidly that reflex activity is "jammed" thus helping to eliminate muscle spasm.

In REFLEX MODE the pistons move at a slower speed but still fairly fast.  As the practitioner moves the bionic hand up and down the spine normal spinal reflex activity is restored helping the spine to function in a balanced way again.

In MOBILISATION MODE the pistons move at a much slower speed while the practitioner guides the bionic hand up and down the spine freeing up the  movement between the vertebrae.  These restrictions in movement between vertebrae may have taken months or even years to develop.

The combination of normalising the spinal column's controlling reflexes plus the freeing up of restricted vertebral movement help restore the spine to a more youthful / functional / pain free state.  

In Australia P.A.M. is currently available only at

Hobart Osteopathic Clinic and

Chatswood Osteopathic Back Care Clinic

Further information about P.A.M. can be had from 

P.A.M. in the UK

or
contactus@pambackcare.com.au