MobiliserIs the Mobiliser suitable for my condition?

Acute Spasm

My lower back was in spasm I couldn't walk I could only waddle, and I was unable to stand up straight. I found that 15 minutes on the Mobiliser straightened me up for 8-9 hours, I repeated this twice a day until the spasm went.

Tony Hatton - Back in Action

Back pain, Back stiffness

I had a back problem resulting from - I now believe - a slight dislocation of the pelvis, leading to progressive stiffening of the back muscles, and causing tiredness from sitting or walking, and stiffness every morning. I had had this problem for a couple of years and tried various things to no very good effect.

I found that the Mobiliser, though it took a bit of getting used to, provided fairly immediate improvement in terms of increased flexibility of the spine. Having used it regularly over the last six months, in conjunction with a chiropractor who seems to understand my particular problem, I finally seem to be recovering from this chronic problem.

I recommend anyone suffering from stiffness of the kind mentioned to try out the Mobiliser. It gives a fairly intense deep tissue massage of the kind which it's difficult (and expensive) to get a physio or masseur to do.

Back in Action customer

Independent MOD trial

Calf pain

"The Mobiliser certainly kept my lower back in one piece during race training, it also really helped tackle my tight calves and hamstrings. After the race it was a God send. I used it to recover and my back is still in really good shape."

Sally Gunnell, OBE Olympic Gold Medalist & World Record Holder 400m Hurdles.
Speaking after completing the 2007 London Marathon.

Disc Degeneration, Disc Prolapse, Slipped disc

Brian Hamer is a Training and Development consultant, as well as being a demanding job this also involves driving over 30,000 miles a year. In January 2006 Brian had been forced to take 2 months off work, not an easy thing for any self employed person, and was facing back surgery on a lumbar prolapse (L4/L5 for the technical).

Brian was looking for some solutions to his problem and hired a Mobiliser from us. He undertook a daily regime of regularly using the Mobiliser and an exercise program. When I phoned him after six months, to ask him how it was going, he exclaimed “Wonderful”. He has had a dramatic improvement in his pain and mobility, to the point that he only needs to use the Mobiliser occasionally. Another bonus is that back surgery is not on the cards any more.

Brian Hamer

Fibromyalgia & Extreme fatigue

"Over twelve years ago the chronic headaches, muscle pain and tiredness I was experiencing was finally diagnosed as Fibromyalgia.

After using the mobiliser for a year there has been a huge leap in my level of fitness ... and also in my ability to manage my condition without the support of a practitioner and painkillers.

The initial cost to purchase the mattress has been far outweighed by the benefits for me.

The improvements in my health and the degree of control it has given me has been an inspiration to me."

Back in Action customer

General aging

Many people use the Mobiliser to overcome a specific condition, however, we do have people saying "I feel old and I'd rather I didn't". The Mobiliser has been hired and bought by people in their 80's and 90's and they use it to retain their mobility.

Hip Pain

"I had constant discomfort from my hip for 25 years. A year ago I injured my sacro-iliac joint in a fall. In spite of excellent physiotherapy I was still walking around with a 'clunking' noise.

It took only a week to sort out my misalignments ... and yes I did feel rather tired at first, but the sensation of being evenly balanced was a revelation.

The Mobiliser cost a lot but was worth every penny. Why? Well it cured the 'clunk' instantly. It has also remedied problems to which I had been resigned. I had thought that feeling stiff in the morning was due to my age (54); that chronic hip ache was wear-and-tear.

Back in Action customer

"It was found that the Osteo Arthritic hips group responded best to the Mobiliser with regard to back pain (mean 0/10 after the trial)"

Extract from MOD physiotherapist study of the effects of the Mobiliser.

Immobility

"Patients whose flexibility measurements had fallen short of the accepted minimum levels for flexion, extension and thoracic expansion all showed significant improvement to p=0.05." - Extract from MOD physiotherapist study of the effects of the Mobiliser.

I have had the Mobiliser for four months now. During that time, at some points, I've become quite dependant on it. I think the Mobiliser has enabled me to feel less stressed about my back pain. If I'm sore and I haven't got time for exercise or I have to go out etc, 15 mins on the mobiliser will help see my through. It's a little bit like a crutch - it can offer you support through bad times. I wouldn't give the Mobiliser up now as because of this I feel my quality of life is better. From a relaxation point of view think its good to and I feel less tense over all. I certainly feel a difference when I don't go on and think I will continue to use it daily in the long term. I would recommend others to try it.

When I look back at the first time I went on, I could only manage a few minutes I found it so intense! Now I can stay on for as long as I want. This tells me I'm probably more flexible.

I do think my drug in take over all is down. I do think this must be linked to the Mobiliser as if my pains bad I can sometimes go on the Mobiliser and it will be relived enough to not need drugs to get through. Obviously this doesn't work when I'm out and about during the day but I can't carry the Mobiliser around with me!

Overall, I'm really pleased I did the trial and gave it a go - I only wish I'd found it and tried sooner!

Fran Lax - Back in Action customer

Joint problems

After one month of the trial, Kate had much better general flexibility of her spine. The usual joints of her spine were restricted, but to a much lesser extent. The most marked improvements were in the reduction in muscle hypertonicity and tenderness, previously I have always needed to do soft tissue work to release the muscle tension, this was not necessary at her last treatment.

Kate Gibbon's (Back in Action customer) / Chiropractor

Lumbar pain

"I was suffering from lower back pain for six months. Despite Chiro, physio and massage... Getting worse.... I was on pain killers and anti-inflammatories.

After using mobiliser I'm now drug free, I can't believe the results.

M Collins. MD March 2007

Long term hip and back pain

I was looking at chairs in Back in Action when I saw the notice: - '£2 for a 15-minute massage'. Just the thing for my stiff shoulder, I thought.

They produced the Mobiliser at which point I said: 'Er, no thanks'. I injured my sacro-iliac joint last year in a fall, and in spite of excellent physiotherapy was still walking around with 'clunking' vertebrae like the tin woman. And then there was the continual discomfort from an injury to the other hip 25 years ago, so no.

Then, oh well, I thought, I suppose I could give it a try.... My spine felt like a railway shunting yard, and my pelvis swayed unevenly. It was alarming, though not actually painful. After 15 minutes I stood up and took a step, and then another, smooth, step. No clunks.

We hired the Mobiliser for a month. It took about a week to sort out all the misalignments, and yes, I did feel rather tired and headachy at first, but the sensation of being 'centred' and evenly balanced was a revelation. We have now bought the Mobiliser. It cost a lot and was worth every penny. Why? Well it cured the 'clunk' outright, but it has also remedied problems to which I had long been resigned. I had thought that feeling stiff in the morning was due to my age (54); that chronic hip ache was wear-and-tear and perhaps the onset of inherited osteoarthritis (uncomfortable, but not worth bothering the doctor with, yet). Whatever it is that the Mobiliser does, these symptoms have now just gone. It's a small miracle really, and one that I want to continue.

Sarah Kelen, Back in Action customer

"It was found that the OA hips group responded best to the Mobiliser with regard to back pain (mean 0/10 after the trial)"

Extract from MOD physiotherapist study of the effects of the Mobiliser.

"Bearing in mind the small sample size, which admittedly could allow single subject results to skew the data, it seems likely that the majority of low back pain patients would benefit substantially from use of the Mobiliser provided that the objective measures used really do affect function in the way it is believed (Battie et al, 1990)"

Extract from MOD physiotherapist study of the effects of the Mobiliser.

Migraines

"I am a woman in her 50's. I love active pastimes but have had to give them up due to pain. I have been plagued by migraines for years.

Before finding the Mobiliser I calculate I used 60 Ibuprofen and 30 Paracetamol in 5 weeks. After starting with the Mobiliser I used 4 Ibuprofen in the same period of time.

I've had no headaches in 6 months"

Mrs Meakin, Back in Action customer

 

MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

I was introduced to the Mobiliser about 5 months ago after about 2 years of intense massage and nutritional therapy by Mr. Mike Duffield. I have had MS for the last 2 years, which is further compromised by a condition I have had since I was a teenager, Scheuermann’s disease. This resulted in a curvature in my spine and rigid discs in my upper back. Having a balance problem with MS and at 6,1 height meant I had a pretty vicious cycle of fibromyalgia type pain to deal with on a daily basis.

Whilst physical treatments are great while they last, maintaining the benefits between treatments was difficult despite exercises. Many do not scratch the surface towards addressing chronic pain that is going on underneath. I dare say I have spent a fortune over the years on various treatments, so I am grateful I am able to get such a benefit from the Mobiliser, especially considering the amount of time I have had pain and the effect it has had on my life quality from a young age.

I also see an osteopath who has been excellent and has also recognised the difference in my spine from my initial consultation and from the time I have spent using the Mobiliser.

I see the Mobiliser as like putting a protective coat on. I am also less afraid of falling over when standing up straight, simply because my back feels stronger. I am now much more upright when walking and standing at my full height.

I now also have more energy because I am not worn out as quickly with the pain and fatigue. My back was once so rigid it just did not move-period! and if it did it quickly reverted back. Fortunately I now have a better range of movement and the Mobiliser has definitely played a considerable part.

After my first session my whole posture felt more relaxed and aligned. It was gradual but the more I used the Mobiliser the more my back seemed to fall into place.

Although I always considered my right side as weaker than my left both sides definitely feel more balanced out and equal over the weeks I used the Mobiliser.

In the following treatment months, my back would make various clicking noises each time this seemed to indicate more freedom and range of movement. Sometimes my back was quite tight and until I settled into the treatment, the discomfort was particularly cringable. By keeping my arms folded across my chest, the Mobiliser works even deeper.

The middle of my back is always more sore than other parts where I have the Scheuermann’s but the pain is hugely minimised.

This last month using the Mobiliser without the protection or comfort pad took a little getting used to but I have adjusted to it and it has provided deeper lasting benefit by getting into fibrous tight muscles.

Mike is registered on the Back in Action site and can be contacted on 07808 297579 he as worked as a nutritional advisor with food and supplements for over 25 years and also combines a range of skills, using arms hands and various machines in his bodywork treatment.

Osteoarthritis

"It was found that the Osteo Arthritic hips group responded best to the Mobiliser with regard to back pain (mean 0/10 after the trial)"

Extract from MOD physiotherapist study of the effects of the Mobiliser.

Parkinson's

We donated a Mobiliser to a Therapist who works with Parkinson sufferers. She has found the Mobiliser helps with relaxation and allows her treatment to be more effective.

Ankylosing spondylitis

A brief trawl of the Internet will reveal lots of advice for helping with AS. An example is "Physical activity and exercise are very important for effectively treating ankylosing spondylitis. Keeping active can improve your posture, and your range of spinal movement, as well as preventing your spine from becoming stiff and painful" You can find many more.

We have been thrilled at the changes people have experienced when using the Mobiliser to tackle some of the effects of AS. The mobiliser has frequently provided pain relief and increased flexibility and many have said that it has improved posture. The latter may be important if the illness is progressive and joint are going to fuse eventually. However, whilst you should in any event take medical advice on the current state of the illness and the suitability of mobilisation before using the mobiliser, we should say now that use of the mobiliser with AS is not advised in advanced AS (when joints have deteriorated to the point where fusion is imminent or recent). You should instead consider the HHP which uses vibrational massage rather than vertebral bending.

Scoliosis

NL managed to beat the back pain from his scoliosis after suffering for over 20 years. He was 49 years old when he started using the Mobiliser. He was a highly successful accountant who was relying on constant treatment at the time he approached us about the Mobiliser.

His history did not encourage optimism:

• Since his late teens he had suffered from worsening lower back problems (particularly sciatica).
• During his early twenties a pronounced scoliosis of the middle back occurred.
• From his mid-thirties spinal mobility was reduced and his joints (including knee joints) were generally stiff.
• Since that time, weekly massage, limited manipulation and the use of foot orthotics had still only managed to reduce the symptoms.
• NL had still not managed to sleep for more than 3 hours since his early twenties.
• The condition of skin on his back had deteriorated to the extent that he was unable to be "cuddled" by his wife.

NL's case was written up by a medical expert in 2001. It was that expert who referred him to Back in Action as a test case for the Mobiliser in 2003. The expert agreed to monitor the trial. NL used the Mobiliser on average twice daily for circa five weeks. At the end of the trial he wrote a six page report, endorsed by his expert. He purchased a Mobiliser.

The improvements he found were:

• General spinal mobility was much improved, as was overall mobility (lengthened stride and easier arm movement when walking)
• As a result of the above, an uplifting sense of freedom and vitality replaced his previous feelings of constriction
• He was able to sleep all night without interruption instead of waking two or three times a night with muscle tension
• Post-exertion stiffness / aching / pain / sciatic tingling were all substantially reduced (although not eliminated)
• By using the Mobiliser before known periods of physical exertion he was able to avoid the reactions which (for the past 25 years) they had previously caused.
• He reported that his spine had already become much straighter, his posture better and this ha led to a more confident bearing and increased confidence.
• The condition of skin on his back returned to normal, this was an emotional matter for him, allowing a return to normal physical affection in his marriage.

We hold on file his full report, together with photos of his back. These are available at our Amersham centre.

NL, Back in Action customer

Sciatica

Martin is an automotive electronics technician, who for several years travelled the world supporting racing teams. The job involved long hours bending over very low racing cars and getting in to awkward positions, this took its toll on his Back.

After years of suffering with progressively bad back pain and seeing Chiropractors and Physiotherapists Martin had a diagnosis of a prolapsed L3/L2 disc. This was causing increasingly bad sciatic pain and the Consultant Neurosurgeon's advice was to have surgery. Martin chose to hire a the Mobiliser at this point and within one week experienced a decrease in pain, after 2 months he bought a Mobiliser and has 80% of his (very) active life back. He has cancelled his operation and is riding his mountain bike regularly again, he says of hiring the Mobiliser "it was thankfully worth a punt".

"After 23 years of sciatica my osteopath suggested the Mobiliser. After six weeks almost all the symptoms had gone."

NL. 50 yr old Accountant. Oct 2002

Sacro-iliac problems

"I had constant discomfort from my hip for 25 years. A year ago I injured my sacro-iliac joint in a fall. In spite of excellent physiotherapy I was still walking around with a 'clunking' noise.

It took only a week to sort out my misalignments ... and yes I did feel rather tired at first, but the sensation of being evenly balanced was a revelation.

The Mobiliser cost a lot but was worth every penny. Why? Well it cured the 'clunk' instantly. It has also remedied problems to which I had been resigned. I had thought that feeling stiff in the morning was due to my age (54); that chronic hip ache was wear-and-tear.

Back in Action customer

I have had the Mobiliser for four months now. During that time, at some points, I’ve become quite dependant on it. I think the Mobiliser has enabled me to feel less stressed about my back pain. If I’m sore and I haven’t got time for exercise or I have to go out etc, 15 mins on the mobiliser will help see my through. It’s a little bit like a crutch - it can offer you support through bad times. I wouldn’t give the Mobiliser up now as because of this I feel my quality of life is better. From a relaxation point of view think its good to and I feel less tense over all. I certainly feel a difference when I don’t go on and thin k I will continue to use it daily in the long term. I would recommend others to try it.

When I look back at the first time I went on, I could only manage a few minutes I found it so intense! Now I can stay on for as long as I want. This tells me I’m probably more flexible.

I do think my drug in take over all is down. I do think this must be linked to the Mobiliser as if my pains bad I can sometimes go on the Mobiliser and it will be relived enough to not need drugs to get through. Obviously this doesn’t work when I’m out and about during the day but I can’t carry the Mobiliser around with me!

Overall, I’m really pleased I did the trial and gave it a go - I only wish I’d found it and tried sooner!

Fran Lax - Back in Action customer

Whiplash

My neck was whipped back in a car accident and then forward into the steering wheel. I was knocked unconscious.

For over twenty years my symptoms got worse, despite really skilled treatment that helped temporarily... sometimes for a few weeks but mainly for a few days..

Eventually I found a device that fitted my ideas of what I needed ... daily strong massage and mobilisation. I developed it in conjunction with leading medics and sure enough it has removed my neck problems..

DN Developer of Mobiliser, Founder Back in Action