Australian back pain trial using FlexEze Heat wraps as part of a clinical care model including education, reassurance, simple analgesia and physical therapy leads to reduction in prescription pain killers for back pain patients in 4 major NSW hospitals.
Researchers and clinicians from the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District conducted a randomised trial across four NSW emergency departments including Royal Prince Alfred, Canterbury, Concord and Dubbo hospitals.
The study involved training 269 ED clinicians on best practice guidelines in assessing and managing patients with acute back pain which included providing alternatives to prescription pain killers such as Heat Wraps and cheaper anti-inflammatory medicines.
Of the 4625 episodes of care (4491 patients), researchers found a reduction in prescription pain killers without adverse patient outcomes and improved clinicians beliefs and knowledge about low back pain care.
FlexEze supplied the Heat wraps used in this Australian hospital trial. The obvious benefit of Heat wraps over other heat therapy products is that they provide continuous low level heat whilst enabling movement in patients to promote recovery from acute back pain. The adverse effects of prescription pain killers has created a dependency issue with overuse and now are not recommended as a first line treatment for back pain in many treatment guidelines.
FlexEze Heat Wraps generate heat as a result of a simple non-toxic chemical reaction that is air-activated. FlexEze Heat wraps deliver a sustained temperature above 40 degrees for approximately 8-12 hours, which is around 20 times longer than wheat bags or hot water bottles.
FlexEze Heat wraps are lightweight, comfortable and provide portability with minimal disruption to daily routine. FlexEze are also eco-friendly as ingredients are biodegradable and can be dispose into the garden as a soil improver.
This new research demonstrates the use of Heat wraps, movement, education, reassurance and simple analgesia can significantly reduce the prescription of strong pain killer medications in back pain patients presenting to emergency departments at Australian hospitals.
For more information and to read the entire research paper please visit https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2021/03/08/bmjqs-2020-012337