Dr Ilonka Meyer

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Dr Ilonka Meyer

Specialist Pain Physician | Speaker | Educator | Mentor
Founder & Director of
👇Website & Bio
mbpain.com.au

07/04/2024

🌧️ So, here's how my Sunday kicked off - a run in the pouring rain. 🏃‍♂️ Did I feel up for it? Absolutely not! 🤷‍♂️ Did I enjoy it? Kinda. But hey, I did it and that's what counts, right?

🚀 Many of my long-term patients will know I've been on a personal health improvement journey for the past few years. 💪 I think the moment has finally arrived for me to focus on getting fit again. 📱 I've started using the Nike Run Club app (a tip from my awesome anaesthetist, Dr Kim Brown) and I have to say, I'm loving it.

🤩 It's my first time trying this app and three weeks in, I'm totally digging the guided runs. Today, I was scheduled to run for just 7 minutes and I was like, "Really?" 🤔 But then Coach Bennet's commentary made me understand the logic - it was all about just getting out there and doing it.

🏃‍♂️💨 Okay, so when I say I'm "running" again, let's put it in quotes, because it's more like a mix of walking, running, and trying not to die (me catastrophizing a little)! 🌟 I can already feel a difference from when I started three weeks ago. 🐢 I know I'm slow, but that's ok. I'm just trying not to push too hard, to pace myself, and stick with it.

📲 I've tried a few running apps and programs in the past and enjoyed them. Here are some pros and cons if you're interested:

👟 None to Run
Pros:
👶 Tailor-made for beginners. Even for walkers - you don't have to run when they say run, just pick up your pace a bit.
⏱️ A 12-week program focusing on time, not distance, making it user-friendly.
🏋️‍♂️ Includes strength and mobility workouts to keep injuries at bay.
🤗 Provides a supportive community through social media groups.
📱 Easy to use and compatible with gadgets like the Apple Watch.
Cons:
🍏 Mainly available for iOS, limiting access for Android users.

👟 Couch to 5K (C25K)
Pros:
🌟 Ideal for beginners, aimed at getting you to complete a 5K run in 9 weeks.
📋 Simple, clear-cut program with a well-defined structure.
🔄 Promotes rest days and cross-training for a balanced approach.
Cons:
🛠️ Limited customization of the training plan.
🏋️ Requires some level of fitness to start.

👟 Nike Running Club
Pros:
🎯 Provides personalized coaching plans aligned with your goals.
📊 Extensive tracking features to monitor progress.
💡 Motivational guidance from professional athletes. I'm personally a HUGE fan of the guided runs!
🌍 Available on both iOS and Android.
Cons:
💳 Some features require a premium subscription.
🆕 Might be a bit too advanced for absolute beginners.

06/04/2024

🤔 I often get questions from my patients about how they can keep moving even when they're dealing with chronic pain. I'm a big fan of making a conscious decision to move throughout the day, no matter what your situation is.

🚫 I deliberately avoid saying 'exercise' when I talk to my patients because it can be a scary word if you're living with a chronic illness or pain. I think we should start using the terminology 'intentional movement' instead.

🚶 Whether it's taking 10 minutes to stretch every day, working on a rehab program after an injury, or training for a half marathon, the idea is the same: regular daily intentional movement is crucial.

💡 It's well known that any type of movement program can boost our physical and mental health. It helps our brains release a bunch of neurotransmitters that make us function and think better.
For my chronic pain patients, the neurotransmitters released during intentional movement play significant roles in managing chronic pain:

💊 Endorphins: These natural painkillers bind to opioid receptors in the brain, similar to how pain medications work, helping to alleviate pain and produce a feeling of well-being.

😊 Dopamine: Increased levels of dopamine can help mitigate feelings of pain by enhancing mood and reward sensations, which may be particularly important for maintaining motivation and engagement in physical activity despite chronic pain.

🌈 Serotonin: By boosting serotonin levels, exercise can help regulate mood and reduce pain perception. Serotonin is known for its role in pain modulation, and higher levels can lead to decreased sensitivity to pain.

⚡ Norepinephrine: This neurotransmitter not only improves focus and energy, which can be diminished by chronic pain, but it also plays a role in pain modulation. Increased norepinephrine can reduce the perception of pain by influencing the pain pathways in the brain.

🧠 Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Though not a neurotransmitter, the increase of BDNF through exercise supports neural health, which is crucial for chronic pain patients. BDNF can enhance brain function, aid in the recovery of damaged neurons, and is involved in the regulation of pain.

📲 I'm going to start sharing more online resources, apps, and tech that I recommend to my patients (and use myself) to keep your body and mind healthy.

🤸 So, I'm curious, what kind of intentional movement routines do you have in your day to help your body and mind stay healthy?

03/02/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Bs5av8zoYQjng9Rn/?mibextid=WC7FNe

28/01/2024

The Inquiry into Women’s Pain, spearheaded by the Victorian Government and informed by insights from the Women’s Health Survey Report, represents a significant turning point in the recognition and treatment of chronic female pain sufferers. As a specialist in chronic pain, I find this initiative especially salient, considering that 40% of the women surveyed report enduring chronic pain.

The inquiry zeroes in on a crucial issue: the vast majority of women—76.3%, according to the 2023 national Pain Survey—feel that their pain-related complaints are routinely dismissed. This revelation calls for rigorous academic and clinical exploration.

It dovetails with the pressing requirement for systemic healthcare reforms that guarantee compassionate and fair pain management for all. Furthermore, with 20.3% of survey participants disclosing experiences of sexism and bias within the healthcare system, the inquiry's commitment to embedding gender-sensitive methodologies into both pain research and treatment practices cannot be overstated.

Support for such investigative efforts is fundamental in enhancing our comprehension and ameliorating the treatment of chronic pain in women.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/22/australia-first-womens-pain-inquiry-victoria-chronic-illness

27/01/2024

💡Exploring Nanotechnology Innovations: Could This Mark a New Era in Pain Management?💡

The realm of pain management is witnessing a transformative shift, thanks to groundbreaking advances in nanotechnology. This innovative approach is not just reshaping our understanding but could revolutionize the treatments available for chronic and acute pain conditions.

🔬 Tailored Drug Delivery Systems: The advent of nanotechnology has ushered in an era where medications can be precisely delivered to the distressed areas, ensuring enhanced efficacy. Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, for example, have shown remarkable potential in reducing pain by blocking NMDA receptors and activating the opioidergic system, thus providing a more targeted and effective treatment.

🌟 Personalized Treatment Plans: The precision of nanotechnology enables the creation of personalized treatment strategies. Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, known for their antinociceptive effects, have demonstrated enhanced analgesic effects in the central nervous system, highlighting the potential for customized pain relief solutions.

🌈 Innovative Nanoparticles: The exploration of Manganese Dioxide (MnO2) and Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles reveals their unique properties in modulating analgesia and pain perception through the dopaminergic system and reducing inflammation, respectively. These discoveries point towards a future where pain management can be both highly effective and minimally invasive.

The integration of nanotechnology in pain management is not just a glimpse into the future; it is a reality that is unfolding now. Embracing these advancements offers hope and new possibilities for individuals seeking relief from chronic pain.

Follow the link for an interesting article published in Nano Today - Nanotechnology for Pain Management: Current and Future Therapeutic Interventions. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34899962/

Let's engage in a dialogue about how these nanotechnological advancements can shape the future of healthcare and pain management. What are your thoughts on the potential impact of these innovations?

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34 Bell Street Heidelberg Heights

3081

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Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
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Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:30

Website

http://mbpain.com.au/

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