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Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs of the human body that can result in chronic pain following injury or age-related wear. They are a leading cause of disability in New Zealand and:

affect one in four adults
comprise at least 25% of our total annual health costs*
are estimated to cost more than $5.5 billion annually*
present in 20% of visits to GPs*
have major socioeconomic impacts for New Zealand.

*Teaching of musculoskeletal medicine in New Zealand, NZMJ 8 July 2011, Vol 124, No 1338: ISSN 11758716

What our funding supports

Specialist musculoskeletal medicine

Specialist diagnosis and treatment can help improve patients’ quality of life through better diagnosis and treatment, often using very simple techniques.

Better access throughout New Zealand

Supporting regional trainees and regional specialists and clinics is increasing equity of access to these services for people around the country outside main centres.

Ongoing research and advancement

Research continues to reveal the impact that developing musculoskeletal practices can have in a wider variety of conditions affecting patients’ enjoyment and engagement in their lives.

Our stories

Patient with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

In my desperation to find answers and help for my CRPS and better understand how I could help myself, I spent hundreds of hours researching and reading as much as I could find (and understand!) with my limited knowledge and access to material. Both Drs Thomson and Wang have supported me and been very patient with all my questions.  As a patient, the value of being heard and understood by your treating practitioner makes a huge difference.

....

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Given that exposure to Musculoskeletal Medicine consultants are quite limited in NZ especially in our more rural regions, means the opportunity to work alongside an instructor in my home turf, with my patients, has proven to be a highly valuable experience. This level of access to specialist services is something many larger centres may take for granted.

....

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Today, I’m jogging again - something I thought I’d never do. Most importantly, I can live an active life with my children, free from the constant worry of pain. Forever grateful.

....

Rural trainee provided clinical placement in Wellington

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

By developing these clinical skills I can use them to help improve treatment of patients in my region which has the 2nd highest proportion of Māori patients in the South Island after Southland and like many other small rural/regional communities has limited access to specialist care.

....

Your donations help ensure access to life changing services

Funding specialists and trainees throughout New Zealand is a priority for our charity.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Additionally, by raising awareness of musculoskeletal conditions and pathways among the patients and practitioners we can stop people falling through the cracks and help them start living their lives again.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Publication and presentation of research to other specialities crucially helps ensure they are informed of the services available in this scope of medical practice and patients are referred and access them.

WELCOME

Helping reduce the burden of pain and disability

ABOUT US

Musculoskeletal disorders are conditions of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs of the human body that can result in chronic pain following injury or age-related wear. They are a leading cause of disability in New Zealand and:

What our funding supports

Specialist musculoskeletal medicine

Better access throughout New Zealand

Ongoing research and advancement

Ongoing research and advancement

Our stories

Patient with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Funding specialists to travel to provide training locally

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Rural trainee provided clinical placement in Wellington

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Patient living with debilitating post-birth pelvic injuries and chronic pain

Help more people enjoy better pain management & mobility & the sport, work & life they love

Your donations help ensure access to life changing services

Funding specialists and trainees throughout New Zealand is a priority for our charity.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

Funding and promoting evidence based research so New Zealand professionals remain at the forefront.

THE MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE FOUNDATION