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More people are trying medicinal cannabis for chronic pain. But does it work?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>More Australians than ever are being prescribed <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/medicinal-cannabis">medicinal cannabis</a>.</p> <p>Medicinal cannabis refers to legally prescribed cannabis products. These are either the plant itself, or naturally occurring ingredients extracted from the plant. These ingredients, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), are called cannabinoids. Some cannabinoids are also made in labs to act like the ones in the plant.</p> <p>Medicinal cannabis comes in different forms, such as oils, capsules, dried flower (used in a vaporiser), sprays and edible forms such as gummies.</p> <p>Since regulatory changes in 2016 made medicinal cannabis more accessible, Australia’s regulator has issued <a href="https://dashboard-data.health.gov.au/single/?appid=1066afbe-2b37-427d-8c47-2caa5082cccc&sheet=088f611b-10de-4d72-be68-ccf8d12c54e9&select=clearall">more than 700,000 approvals</a>. (But approvals for medicinal cannabis don’t reflect the actual number of patients treated. One patient may have multiple approvals, and not all approved products are necessarily prescribed or supplied.)</p> <p>Around half of the approvals have been for chronic pain that isn’t caused by cancer.</p> <p>In Australia, chronic pain affects around <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/chronic-pain-in-australia/summary">one in five</a> Australians aged 45 and over, with an enormous impact on people’s lives.</p> <p>So what does the current evidence tell us about the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain?</p> <h2>What the evidence shows</h2> <p>A <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1034">2021 review of 32 randomised controlled trials</a> involving nearly 5,200 people with chronic pain, examined the effects of medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids. The study found a small improvements in pain and physical functioning compared with a placebo.</p> <p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">previous review</a> found that to achieve a 30% reduction in pain for one person, 24 people would need to be treated with medicinal cannabis.</p> <p>The 2021 review also <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/374/bmj.n1034">found</a> small improvements in sleep, and no consistent benefits for other quality of life measures, consistent with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">previous reviews</a>.</p> <p>This doesn’t mean medicinal cannabis doesn’t help anyone. But it suggests that, on average, the benefits are limited to a smaller number of people.</p> <p>Many pain specialists have <a href="https://theconversation.com/medicinal-cannabis-to-manage-chronic-pain-we-dont-have-evidence-it-works-157324">questioned</a> if the evidence for medicinal cannabis is sufficient to support its use for pain.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.choosingwisely.org.au/recommendations/fpm6">Faculty of Pain Medicine</a>, the professional body dedicated to the training and education of specialist pain physicians, recommends medical cannabis should be limited to clinical trials.</p> <h2>What does the regulator say?</h2> <p>Guidance from Australia’s regulator, the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-treatment-chronic-non-cancer-pain-australia">Therapeutic Goods Administration</a> (TGA), on medicinal cannabis for chronic non-cancer pain reflects these uncertainties.</p> <p>The TGA states there is limited evidence medicinal cannabis provides clinically significant pain relief for many pain conditions. Therefore, the potential benefits versus harms should be considered patient-by-patient.</p> <p>The TGA says medicinal cannabis should only be trialled when other standard therapies have been tried and did not provide enough pain relief.</p> <p>In terms of which type of medical cannabis product to use, due to concerns about the safety of inhaled cannabis, the TGA considers pharmaceutical-grade products (such as nabiximols or extracts containing THC and/or CBD) to be safer.</p> <h2>What about people who say it helps?</h2> <p>This evidence may feel at odds with the experiences of people who report relief from medicinal cannabis.</p> <p>In clinical practice, it’s common for individuals to respond differently based on their health conditions, beliefs and many other factors. What works well for one person may not work for another.</p> <p>Research helps us understand what outcomes are typical or expected for most people, but there is variation. Some people may find medicinal cannabis improves their pain, sleep or general well-being – especially if other treatments haven’t helped.</p> <h2>What are the side effects and risks?</h2> <p>Like any medicine, medicinal cannabis has <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-guidance-documents/guidance-use-medicinal-cannabis-treatment-chronic-non-cancer-pain-australia#s9">potential side effects</a>. These are usually mild to moderate, including drowsiness or sedation, dizziness, impaired concentration, a dry mouth, nausea and cognitive slowing.</p> <p>These side effects are often greater with higher-potency THC products. These are becoming more common on the Australian market. High-potency THC products represent <a href="https://dashboard-data.health.gov.au/single/?appid=1066afbe-2b37-427d-8c47-2caa5082cccc&sheet=088f611b-10de-4d72-be68-ccf8d12c54e9&select=clearall">more than half of approvals in 2025</a>.</p> <p>In research studies, generally <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29847469/">more people experience side effects</a> than report benefits from medical cannabis.</p> <p>Medical cannabis can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36317739/">interact with other medications</a>, especially those that cause drowsiness (such as opioids), medicines for mental illness, anti-epileptics, blood thinners and immunosuppressants.</p> <p>Even cannabidiol (CBD), which isn’t considered intoxicating like THC, has been linked to serious drug interactions.</p> <p>These risks are greater when cannabis is prescribed by a doctor who doesn’t regularly manage the patient’s chronic pain or isn’t in contact with their other health-care providers. Since medicinal cannabis is often prescribed through separate telehealth clinics, this fragmented care may increase the risk of harmful interactions.</p> <p>Another concern is developing cannabis use disorder (commonly understood as “addiction”). A 2024 study found <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871624001844?via%3Dihub">one in four people</a> using medical cannabis develop a cannabis use disorder. Withdrawal symptoms – such as irritability, sleep problems, or cravings – can occur with frequent and heavy use.</p> <p>For some people, tolerance can also develop with long-term use, meaning you need to take higher doses to get the same effect. This can increase the risk of developing a cannabis use disorder.</p> <h2>How does it compare to other treatments?</h2> <p>Like many <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chronic-pain">medicines for chronic pain</a>, the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis is modest, and is not recommended as a sole treatment.</p> <p>There’s good evidence that, for conditions like back pain, interventions such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and pain self-management education can <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-any-non-drug-treatments-help-back-pain-heres-what-the-evidence-says-253122">help</a> and may have fewer risks than many medicines.</p> <p>But there are challenges with how accessible and affordable these treatments are for many Australians, <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/getattachment/e0603085-695c-4fbb-b7d9-ba77057e5a97/Management-of-chronic-pain-in-a-rural-Australian-s.aspx">especially outside major cities</a>.</p> <h2>So where does this leave patients?</h2> <p>The growing use of medicinal cannabis for chronic pain reflects both a high burden of pain in the community and gaps in access to effective care. While some patients report benefits, the current evidence suggests these are likely to be small for most people, and must be weighed against the risks.</p> <p>If you are considering medicinal cannabis, it’s important to talk to your usual health-care provider, ideally one familiar with your full medical history, to help you decide the best approaches to help manage your pain.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/256471/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/suzanne-nielsen-35849">Suzanne Nielsen</a>, Professor and Deputy Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/myfanwy-graham-2392855">Myfanwy Graham</a>, NHMRC Postgraduate Scholar and Fulbright Alumna in Public Health Policy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-people-are-trying-medicinal-cannabis-for-chronic-pain-but-does-it-work-256471">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: </em></p> </div>

Caring

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Win a free Legacy Film and capture a life story that matters

<p>Have you ever wished you could freeze time – preserve a loved one’s stories, laughter and quiet reflections so they can be cherished for generations to come? Now you can.</p> <p>Danika Armytage, founder of <a href="https://www.bigstorieslittlefilms.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Big Stories Little Films</em></a>, recently appeared on <em>The Morning Show</em> to share her mission: helping Australians preserve their life stories on film. And now, she’s giving one lucky person the chance to win a professionally made legacy film – completely free. Take a look:</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z1DPvQFmZFg?si=8yIDGnbaKRA20n_D" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>A legacy film is a beautifully crafted short documentary film that captures a life story, family history, and the wisdom passed between generations – something to treasure forever.</p> <p>Nominations are open throughout April, with the winner to be announced in May.</p> <p>Valued at over $3,000, the film can feature the life story of an individual or a couple. So how will the winner be chosen?</p> <p>“The story doesn’t need to be defined by fame or accolades,” Danika says. “Maybe the person has led an extraordinary life, overcome big obstacles, or perhaps this film is simply something their family deeply wants to preserve. When choosing the winning nomination, it’s really about the story that matters to the people who love them.”</p> <p>While the giveaway is open to everyone, Danika adds that they’re especially mindful of those for whom the timing feels particularly important.</p> <p>“There are some stories that really can’t wait to be told,” she explains. “But truly, I encourage everyone to apply.”</p> <p>If you or someone you love has a story worth telling – and treasuring – head to <a href="https://www.bigstorieslittlefilms.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bigstorieslittlefilms.com.au</a> to submit a nomination. And if you <em>DO</em> win, be sure to contact us via <a href="mailto:contact@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contact@oversixty.com.au</a> so we can share it with the world!</p> <p><em>Images: Big Stories Little Films</em></p>

Movies

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Do any non-drug treatments help back pain? Here’s what the evidence says

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Jason, a 42-year-old father of two, has been battling back pain for weeks. Scrolling through his phone, he sees ad after ad promising relief: chiropractic alignments, acupuncture, back braces, vibrating massage guns and herbal patches.</p> <p>His GP told him to “stay active”, but what does that even mean when every movement hurts? Jason wants to avoid strong painkillers and surgery, but with so many options (and opinions), it’s hard to know what works and what’s just marketing hype.</p> <p>If Jason’s experience sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor. It can be challenging to manage, mainly due to widespread <a href="https://theconversation.com/having-good-posture-doesnt-prevent-back-pain-and-bad-posture-doesnt-cause-it-183732">misunderstandings</a> and the <a href="https://ebm.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/02/bmjebm-2024-112974">overwhelming number</a> of ineffective and uncertain treatments promoted.</p> <p>We assessed the best available evidence of non-drug and non-surgical treatments to alleviate low back pain. <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">Our review</a> – published today by the independent, international group the Cochrane Collaboration – includes 31 Cochrane systematic reviews, covering 97,000 people with back pain.</p> <p>It <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">shows</a> bed rest doesn’t work for back pain. Some of the treatments that do work can depend on how long you’ve been in pain.</p> <h2>Is back pain likely to be serious?</h2> <p>There are different types of low back pain. It can:</p> <ul> <li>be short-lived, lasting less than six weeks (acute back pain)</li> <li>linger for a bit longer, for six to twelve weeks (sub-acute)</li> <li>stick around for months and even years (chronic, defined as more than 12 weeks).</li> </ul> <p>In <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(16)30970-9/abstract">most cases</a> (90-95%), back pain is non-specific and cannot be reliably linked to a specific cause or underlying disease. This includes common structural changes seen in x-rays and MRIs of the spine.</p> <p>For this reason, imaging of the back is <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)60172-0/abstract">only</a> recommended in rare situations – typically when there’s a clear suspicion of serious back issues, such as after physical trauma or when there is numbness or loss of sensation in the groin or legs.</p> <p>Many people expect to receive <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD013815.pub2/full">painkillers</a> for their back pain or even surgery, but these are no longer the front-line treatment options due to limited benefits and the high risk of harm.</p> <p>International <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30489-6/fulltext">clinical guidelines</a> recommend people choose non-drug and non-surgical treatments to relieve their pain, improve function and reduce the distress commonly associated with back pain.</p> <p>So what works for different types of pain? Here’s what <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014691.pub2/full">our review found</a> when researchers compared these treatments with standard care (the typical treatment patients usually receive) or no treatment.</p> <h2>What helps for short-term back pain</h2> <p><strong>1. Stay active – don’t rest in bed</strong></p> <p>If your back pain is new, the best advice is also one of the simplest: keep moving despite the pain.</p> <p>Changing the way you move and use your body to protect it, or resting in bed, can seem like to right way to respond to pain – and may have even been recommended in the past. But we know know this excessive protective behaviour can make it harder to return to meaningful activities.</p> <p>This doesn’t mean pushing through pain or hitting the gym, but instead, trying to maintain your usual routines as much as possible. Evidence suggests that doing so won’t make your pain worse, and may improve it.</p> <p><strong>2. Multidisciplinary care, if pain lingers</strong></p> <p>For pain lasting six to 12 weeks, multidisciplinary treatment is likely to reduce pain compared to standard care.</p> <p>This involves a coordinated team of doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists working together to address the many factors contributing to your back pain persisting:</p> <ul> <li> <p>neurophysiological influences refer to how your nervous system is currently processing pain. It can make you more sensitive to signals from movements, thoughts, feelings and environment</p> </li> <li> <p>psychological factors include how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect your pain system and, ultimately, the experience of pain you have</p> </li> <li> <p>occupational factors include the physical demands of your job and how well you can manage them, as well as aspects like low job satisfaction, all of which can contribute to ongoing pain.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>What works for chronic back pain</h2> <p>Once pain has been around for more than 12 weeks, it can become more difficult to treat. But relief is still possible.</p> <p><strong>Exercise therapy</strong></p> <p>Exercise – especially programs tailored to your needs and preferences – is likely to reduce pain and help you move better. This could include aerobic activity, strength training or Pilates-based movements.</p> <p>It doesn’t seem to matter what type of exercise you do – it matters more that you are consistent and have the right level of supervision, especially early on.</p> <p><strong>Multidisciplinary treatment</strong></p> <p>As with short-term pain, coordinated care involving a mix of physical, occupational and psychological approaches likely works better than usual care alone.</p> <p><strong>Psychological therapies</strong></p> <p>Psychological therapies for chronic pain include approaches to help people change thinking, feelings, behaviours and reactions that might sustain persistent pain.</p> <p>These approaches are likely to reduce pain, though they may not be as effective in improving physical function.</p> <p><strong>Acupuncture</strong></p> <p>Acupuncture probably reduces pain and improves how well you can function compared to placebo or no treatment.</p> <p>While some debate remains about how it works, the evidence suggests potential benefits for some people with chronic back pain.</p> <h2>What doesn’t work or still raises uncertainty?</h2> <p>The review found that many commonly advertised treatments still have uncertain benefits or probably do not benefit people with back pain.</p> <p>Spinal manipulation, for example, has uncertain benefits in acute and chronic back pain, and it likely does not improve how well you function if you have acute back pain.</p> <p>Traction, which involves stretching the spine using weights or pulleys, probably doesn’t help with chronic back pain. Despite its popularity in some circles, there’s little evidence that it works.</p> <p>There isn’t enough reliable data to determine whether advertised treatments – such back braces, vibrating massage guns and herbal patches – are effective.</p> <h2>How can you use the findings?</h2> <p>If you have back pain, start by considering how long you’ve had it. Then explore treatment options that research supports and discuss them with your GP, psychologist or physiotherapist.</p> <p>Your health provider should reassure you about the importance of gradually increasing your activity to resume meaningful work, social and life activities. They should also support you in making informed decisions about which treatments are most appropriate for you at this stage.</p> <p><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/253122/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rodrigo-rossi-nogueira-rizzo-1544189">Rodrigo Rossi Nogueira Rizzo</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/neuroscience-research-australia-976">Neuroscience Research Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/aidan-cashin-2355450">Aidan Cashin</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/neuroscience-research-australia-976">Neuroscience Research Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-any-non-drug-treatments-help-back-pain-heres-what-the-evidence-says-253122">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Body

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Bakery offering free food if you beat the boss at a simple game

<p dir="ltr">After struggling with dwindling customer numbers during the pandemic, a small bakery in Melbourne has come up with a unique way to drum up more business. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Pie Place in Coburg, north of Melbourne, is offering a free pie to any customer who can defeat the owner, Justin Talbot, in a simple game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Justin admitted to <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/free-pies-melbourne-baker-unique-offer-for-customers-who-beat-him-at-rock-paper-scissors/483a1355-d491-4b77-a1b0-50b0c72fe503">Today</a></em> that while the idea is unconventional, he said that when free food is involved, “you can’t go wrong”. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I was at home having a few beers and I thought, how can I drum up more business?" he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"So I thought, why not have a bit of fun with my customers? We've been here for 40 years this month. I've been here for 10 years and I love being here, I love interacting with my customers, having a yarn with them, having a joke with them - it's pretty much my favourite part of work.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Rock Paper Scissors is something out of the ordinary, everyone knows how to play, it's fun and if you win, you get a free pie."</p> <p dir="ltr">The initiative has gone down a treat with locals, with many claiming the shop has the “best pies” and are willing to risk their hand for a freebie. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Justin’s game gets more and more popular, he said he is willing to fork out whatever it costs to give out the free pies in order to connect with the community. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1TKgHxU0m8E?si=Rs9-G3TCQhQako8o" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Today </em></p>

Food & Wine

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Man slapped with $76,000 bill on free cruise

<p>A couple from the US have been slapped with a five-figure bill after embarking on a cruise that they won. </p> <p>Mark and Tami were onboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship Encore, after winning their trip for free, to celebrate Tami given a clean bill of health after the successful removal of a “mass from her lungs” in October 2024 following a cancer diagnosis.</p> <p>Just four days after setting off on their five-week journey, Mark fell ill and was taken to the ship's dedicated ICU with flu symptoms and reduced oxygen levels. </p> <p>He received oxygen, a catheter, IV medications, and X-rays, and when he felt better the next morning, asked to quarantine in his cabin room for the remainder of the trip. </p> <p>However, he was not allowed to leave the medical ward, and so the costs of his stay there continued to climb.</p> <p>“Mike spent a total of four days in the medical ward and asked to be released each day,” his daughter Krystal Cameron wrote in a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/relieve-mike-and-tamis-medical-burden?attribution_id=sl:5f4f89c5-bda8-4947-8f2b-5c9203b2cf8f&amp;lang=en_US&amp;utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">GoFundMe</a> to help pay the $75,800 ($47,638 USD) medical bill.</p> <p>During that time, she said staff would not remove his IV line, or the catheter which Tamra claims had been incorrectly fitted and was “leaking”.</p> <p>“Not on your life would I put my life in these people’s hands,” Tamra added in a social media post.</p> <p>“Should have demanded to get off at (the) port (on the) British Virgin Islands, where I was lied to that they had no good hospital.”</p> <p>Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed to <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/mark-won-a-free-holiday-with-norwegian-cruise-line-then-he-was-slapped-with-a-75800-bill-onboard-c-17618959" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> that Mike’s medical procedures and resulting expenses have been reviewed internally by the company, writing in a statement, “Mr Cameron was admitted to the onboard medical centre and received appropriate treatment for his condition, followed by 62 hours of critical care."</p> <p>“We are committed to providing quality medical services and each of our ships is equipped with a state-of-the-art onboard medical centre, staffed with highly qualified physicians and nurses, to provide care for both guests and crew while at sea."</p> <p>The couple had purchased travel insurance and said the Norwegian Cruise Line medical secretary reassured them they were covered for $20,000 USD ($31,987 AUD) and told “not to worry” when they raised concerns.</p> <p>However, Norwegian Cruise Line maxed out both credit cards they had on file for the couple when charging them with the final bill, adding, “Medical insurance is not accepted onboard.”</p> <p>“We strongly encouraged the guest to file a claim with their health insurance provider post-cruise," Norwegian Cruise Line told <em>7News</em>. </p> <p>“As the guest did purchase travel insurance for their vacation, we have recommended they follow up on their claim with the insurance provider, after they have filed the claim with their health insurance provider.”</p> <p>But Krystal said “neither their travel insurance nor their personal health insurance will cover the medical treatments received”.</p> <p>The travel insurance company requires the couple’s health insurance company to initially pay the bill, but their health insurance company states because the incident happened abroad it is not covered by the policy, Krystal said.</p> <p>“Between Tami’s recent cancer diagnosis and surgery ... and my father’s illness ... their medical debt is quickly adding up,” Krystal said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe / Facebook </em></p>

Legal

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‘Is this all there is?’ Retirement can be a painful transition if we don’t adjust our thinking

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-moore-1446031">Susan Moore</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>The age at which Australians can receive the pension has <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/seniors/benefits-payments/age-pension">risen to 67</a>, meaning many of us are working longer. But the length of time we are expected to spend retired has also risen, because <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/life-expectancy/latest-release">we are living longer</a>.</p> <p>It’s not unreasonable to expect the retirement phase will last about 20 years, perhaps longer. How should people approach it?</p> <h2>Are retirees satisfied?</h2> <p>In 2018 a colleague and I <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Women-and-Retirement-Challenges-of-a-New-Life-Stage/Moore-Rosenthal/p/book/9781138045231">surveyed nearly 1,000 Australians</a> aged 55 and over who described themselves as fully or substantially retired from the workforce.</p> <p>Most were very satisfied (51%) or satisfied (35%) with their retirement, and the majority rated their post-retirement life satisfaction as better (47%) or the same (39%) as it had been when they were working.</p> <h2>What do retirees like most?</h2> <p>Retirees in our survey talked about freedom. Freedom to sleep in, travel, catch up with friends and family, renovate, garden, get fit, try art classes, learn Italian and if they can afford it, spend up big.</p> <p>But even freedom can have a downside. One woman from the survey said after four months she got sick of it, asking “Is this all there is?”</p> <p>So what did retirees miss most? Money was a big issue for nearly 20%, and about one-third felt their financial position had worsened, even though the group had mainly worked in professional and white-collar jobs.</p> <p>But the things they missed most were social – the opportunity to make new friends, to engage in new activities, and to feel useful. They said things like:</p> <blockquote> <p>I miss the companionship of working in a team. Miss some of the social connections that I once enjoyed.</p> </blockquote> <p>Work not only provides income and social contact, it also has the capacity to engender a sense of meaning and purpose. Some retirees commented specifically on this</p> <blockquote> <p>I miss the sense of purpose. While it was hugely stressful, I felt useful. Now I keep feeling at a bit of a loss as if I should be doing something.</p> </blockquote> <h2>Identity loss</h2> <p>There’s also the issue of <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203786338/marienthal-marie-jahoda-paul-lazarsfeld-hans-zeisel">identity loss</a>. Work provides us with status; it enhances our sense of self. Achievement of work goals can build confidence and self-esteem.</p> <p>When we meet a new person, often the first question they ask is “what do you do for a living?” It can feel as though your work defines you as a person, rather than your many-faceted self.</p> <p>Not surprisingly, our study respondents frequently commented on retirement as challenging their sense of identity.</p> <h2>The retirement journey</h2> <p>So it is important to remember retirement is not just an event, it’s a process.</p> <p>In any <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2161-1920.2011.tb01102.x">major life transition</a>, it’s necessary to adapt our roles and expectations. Even the most exciting life changes, such as becoming a parent or winning a lottery, involve psychological work.</p> <p>We are likely to experience strong emotions, both positive and negative, as we experiment, fail, lose heart, try something else and eventually adjust to a new reality.</p> <p>These adjustments might be greater for retirees who go from full-time work to full-time leisure, than for those who move gradually through part-time or casual work or who quickly take up new activities they’ve been planning for years.</p> <p>Mark Cussen, a financial planner specialising in retirement, argues the retirement journey takes us through <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/07/sixstages.asp">several psychological stages</a>, including a honeymoon phase in which new retirees feel relieved as the constraints of working life are removed.</p> <p>However, the initial sense of freedom loses its novelty value. Some retirees then go through a phase of disenchantment. Life can feel boring, lacking in purpose or weighed down by domestic duties and activities that do not challenge or bring joy.</p> <h2>The ‘best years of our lives’</h2> <p>The final phase is adaptation, involving a re-orientation of identity from worker to someone who finds meaning and purpose in a different set of activities.</p> <p>This change usually involves renegotiating relationships with family and friends as well as experimenting with new activities, interests and friendship groups.</p> <p>Over time, most retirees develop a new, non-work identity. New routines, different social worlds and re-imagined goals are established. Many describe these years as the best of their lives.</p> <h2>What makes a successful retirement?</h2> <p>Research <a href="https://academic.oup.com/workar/article-abstract/2/2/262/2428266?login=false">assessing the strongest predictors</a> of adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement is complex because there are so many potential variables to be measured and controlled.</p> <p>But these are often distilled down to several key factors including physical health, finances, psychological health, leisure activities, and social integration.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21463050/">Studies assessing gender difference</a> in adjustment to retirement are equivocal, but somewhat dated. Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228590652_Renegotiating_identity_and_relationships_Men_and_women's_adjustments_to_retirement">many commentators agree</a> women generally have fewer problems adapting socially.</p> <p>Women tend to have stronger non-work networks, are more integrated into their communities and have a more multifaceted sense of identity than those men who define themselves largely in terms of their work.</p> <p>However, the average woman is <a href="https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Retirement/Rosenthal-Moore/p/book/9780815347088?srsltid=AfmBOoo--YAKvrHK8gDkQ0Cd1qI7A0PHOjgEZ-VqzDRAJb4KvEt5eMpt">less financially prepared</a> for retirement than a man as a result of taking time off work for children or other caring responsibilities. Women also dominate many of the lower paid jobs.</p> <p>But for both sexes, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/workar/article-abstract/2/2/262/2428266">studies indicate</a> pre-retirement planning helps ensure a secure retirement.</p> <h2>Work out what’s important</h2> <p>Money isn’t everything. Lifestyle planning including post-retirement activities, new roles and interests,prioritising mental and physical health and maintaining your social contacts are also vital aspects of a workforce exit strategy.</p> <p>How are you planning to stay mentally stimulated? What strategies do you have in place to manage stress and maintain good physical health? And what about friendships? Loneliness is being <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2024/221/6/loneliness-epidemic-holistic-view-its-health-and-economic-implications-older-age">described as an “epidemic”</a> among the elderly, especially those without a partner.</p> <p>How will you build a new social life that may include but does not rely on former work colleagues? How will you negotiate a family life that keeps you connected without becoming a domestic slave?</p> <h2>A well-planned retirement</h2> <p>Retirement has the potential to be a wonderful phase of life in which it is possible to strengthen relationships and achieve goals that you didn’t have time for in your middle years when you were consolidating your career and home life.</p> <p>It’s a time to live out some of your dreams, work through a bucket list perhaps, and have some fun as well as planning what sort of legacy you will leave for future generations.</p> <p>What’s the secret? In short, plan your finances, maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay socially integrated, challenge yourself mentally, stay positive and be flexible.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241265/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-moore-1446031"><em>Susan Moore</em></a><em>, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-this-all-there-is-retirement-can-be-a-painful-transition-if-we-dont-adjust-our-thinking-241265">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if you do)

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-robinson-2237268">Sam Robinson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>With the start of summer just days away, many of us will be looking forward to long sunny days spent at the beach, by the pool, out camping or picnicking in the park.</p> <p>Insects also love summer. This is when most of them <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2016/12/experts-predict-increased-insect-activity-this-summer/">breed and feed</a>. But this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict.</p> <p>Insects have long been prey to many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians and other insects. As such, they’ve evolved a diverse range of defences – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting.</p> <p>Many ants have a sting at their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It’s not the sting itself that causes pain, but rather <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38839-1">the venom</a>. Ant venom contains a cocktail of different chemicals, some of which have evolved specifically to manipulate nerve endings in our skin to cause pain.</p> <p>Let’s look at some of the different ant stings you might experience this summer in Australia, and how to respond.</p> <h2>Bull ants</h2> <p>Bull ants (also known as bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jack jumpers) are large, for an ant. Some species can reach a length of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmecia_(ant)#:%7E:text=Each%20of%20their%20eyes%20contains,mm%20(1.5%20in)%3B%20M.">4 centimetres</a>. They are easily recognisable with their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws) and aggressive nature.</p> <p>Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp, and unmistakable, not dissimilar to that of a honeybee. The intense pain will last only a few minutes, before it’s replaced by some redness and swelling around the sting site.</p> <h2>Green-head ants</h2> <p>Green-head ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oecophylla_smaragdina">green tree ants</a> of northern Australia which do not sting). Green-head ants are common, and love our grass lawns.</p> <p>At around <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green-head_ant">6 millimetres long</a>, they are significantly smaller than bull ants. They can be recognised by their shiny green and purple exoskeleton.</p> <p>Green-head ants tend to be less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a meaningful sting. The pain of a green-head ant’s sting can build more gradually, and create an intense, sticky ache.</p> <h2>Fire ants</h2> <p>Fire ants (or red imported fire ants) are originally from South America. They were first detected <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/stop/how-fire-ants-arrived-in-australia">in Brisbane in 2001</a>, thought to have hitched a ride in shipping containers, and have since spread across south-east Queensland.</p> <p>Fire ants are reddish-brown and black and range in size from <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/look/appearance">2–6 millimetres long</a>.</p> <p>You’re most likely to encounter fire ants at their nests, which look like a pile of powdery soil. A fire ant nest doesn’t have an obvious entry, which is a good way to distinguish them from other similar ant nests.</p> <p>Disturbing a fire ant nest will awaken an angry mass of hundreds of ants and put you at risk of being stung.</p> <p>The initial pain from an individual sting is like an intense, hot itch, though manageable. But fire ant stings rarely occur in single digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and multiple ants can sting one person, which can lead to <a href="https://theconversation.com/fire-ants-are-on-the-march-heres-what-happens-when-they-sting-218908">hundreds of stings</a>. Fire ant stings can lead to pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the days afterwards.</p> <p>If you live in an area where there are fire ants, it’s worth taking a few minutes to educate yourself on how to <a href="https://www.fireants.org.au/look">recognise and report</a> them.</p> <h2>Electric ants</h2> <p><a href="https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Wasmannia_auropunctata">Electric ants</a> are another nasty accidental import, originally from Central and South America. Currently restricted to <a href="https://www.outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/electric-ants">Cairns and surrounds</a>, these are tiny (1.5 millimetres long) yellow ants.</p> <p>Like fire ants, these ants will typically defend <em>en masse</em>, so many will sting at once. Their sting is more painful than you’d expect from such a tiny creature. I liken it to being showered in red hot sparks.</p> <p>If you think you see electric ants, you should report this to <a href="https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/animals/invasive/restricted/electric-ant">Biosecurity Queensland</a>.</p> <h2>Aussie ants aren’t the worst</h2> <p>You might be surprised to hear Australian ants don’t even make the podium for the most painful ant stings. Among the prize winners are <a href="https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/10878/sting-wild">harvester ants</a> (North and South America) which cause an extreme, sticky ache, likened to a drill slowly turning in your muscle – for as long as 12 hours.</p> <p>The gold medal goes to the sting of the bullet ant of South and Central America, which <a href="https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/10878/sting-wild">has been described</a> as:</p> <blockquote> <p>Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch nail embedded in your heel.</p> </blockquote> <h2>How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)</h2> <p>Fortunately, the solution is usually very simple. Look before you sit on the ground or lay out your picnic blanket, avoiding areas where you see ant nests or lots of foraging ants.</p> <p>Choice of footwear can also be important. In my experience, perhaps unsurprisingly, most stings occur on thong-wearing feet.</p> <p>If you do get stung, in most cases it’s going to get better on its own. Pain will usually subside after a few minutes (sometimes a little longer for a green-head ant sting). The redness, swelling and itch that typically follow can last for a few days.</p> <p>In the meantime, if needed, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings">an ice pack</a> will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a local anaesthetic cream containing lidocaine may offer some temporary relief. You can get this over the counter at the pharmacy.</p> <p>A small proportion of people may have an allergic reaction to ant stings. In very severe cases this might involve <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/insect-bites-and-stings#anaphylaxis">trouble breathing</a> or swallowing. If you or someone you’re with experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, seek urgent medical attention.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/241582/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sam-robinson-2237268">Sam Robinson</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ant-stings-can-be-painful-heres-how-to-avoid-getting-stung-this-summer-and-what-to-do-if-you-do-241582">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Holiday budgeting tips for over-60s: Expert advice for a stress-free season

<div> <p>The festive season is a time for joy, but it can sometimes also bring a little extra financial stress. With the rising cost of essentials, many Aussies in retirement might be feeling the pinch. And it’s not your imagination – recent <a title="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.superannuation.asn.au%2Fmedia-release%2Frising-insurance-premiums-add-strain-to-retirees-finances-says-super-peak-body%2F*23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520latest%2520figures%2520from%2520ASFA%2Cover%2520the%2520last%252012%2520months.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdardisa%40we-worldwide.com%7C3306a1dfb9de4e30dd3b08dcfecff5e5%7C3ed60ab455674971a5341a5f0f7cc7f5%7C0%7C0%7C638665416381860501%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3ePPI8b1SEXOATgcY6vYWJRi8gBzZHv0jM1dgqkIoUI%3D&amp;reserved=0___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6YjM1NDo4YTdiNGQ5MTcwZjBhYzgwNzI4ZDVmYTlhNTA0OWVhYThkZTU0NWJhN2FhZDgzZGQ2MGQ1ZjZiYWU5MTc3MGI1OnA6VDpG" href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.superannuation.asn.au%2Fmedia-release%2Frising-insurance-premiums-add-strain-to-retirees-finances-says-super-peak-body%2F*23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520latest%2520figures%2520from%2520ASFA%2Cover%2520the%2520last%252012%2520months.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdardisa%40we-worldwide.com%7C3306a1dfb9de4e30dd3b08dcfecff5e5%7C3ed60ab455674971a5341a5f0f7cc7f5%7C0%7C0%7C638665416381860501%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3ePPI8b1SEXOATgcY6vYWJRi8gBzZHv0jM1dgqkIoUI%3D&amp;reserved=0___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6YjM1NDo4YTdiNGQ5MTcwZjBhYzgwNzI4ZDVmYTlhNTA0OWVhYThkZTU0NWJhN2FhZDgzZGQ2MGQ1ZjZiYWU5MTc3MGI1OnA6VDpG" data-auth="Verified" data-outlook-id="1a0a0a08-2e36-4601-a0a3-f9c8bb379afe">data</a> from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) reveals that the cost of maintaining a comfortable retirement has increased by 3.7% in the last year. For those in retirement, managing holiday spending can help ensure a stress-free festive season. </p> </div> <div> <p>Toby Perkins, a Certified Financial Planner® at industry superfund NGS Super, shares his helpful tips to ensure retirees manage their budgets during the holidays.</p> </div> <p><strong>1. Avoid personal debt</strong></p> <div> <p>Credit cards and overdrafts may seem like quick solutions, but they often lead to high-interest debt. "If you need extra funds for the festive season, it might be worth considering options like your superannuation income stream instead," advises Toby. Avoiding extra debt may help you to maintain your financial stability in the long run and help set you up for a stress-free Christmas next year. </p> </div> <p><strong>2. Plan ahead: Budget for the entire year</strong></p> <div> <p>Although it may be too late to adjust your budget for this holiday season, now is a good time to start planning for next Christmas. "Incorporating holiday spending into an annual budget can prevent financial strain in December," Toby suggests. By tracking your expenses throughout the year, you can identify potential savings and plan for any extra costs, such as gifts and travel.</p> </div> <p><strong>3. Review government entitlements</strong></p> <div> <p>It’s important for you to ensure you are receiving the correct government entitlements. "If you’re receiving the Age Pension, make sure all your details are up to date," Toby advises. Even if you're not eligible for the Age Pension, you may qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or state-based Seniors Cards, which can help reduce costs on health care, transport, and other services. For more information, visit <a title="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/most-useful-information-for-retirement-years___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6Y2YwMTo3YWJkZWYyYTY5NjAwZTQ5YjczNWQwMGY2ZjZmN2RhNzY5MzJjYWJkMmYyNWM5ZTkzODg4NTJlZDc3MmIwZGI1OnA6VDpG" href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/most-useful-information-for-retirement-years___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6Y2YwMTo3YWJkZWYyYTY5NjAwZTQ5YjczNWQwMGY2ZjZmN2RhNzY5MzJjYWJkMmYyNWM5ZTkzODg4NTJlZDc3MmIwZGI1OnA6VDpG" data-auth="Verified" data-outlook-id="0b03c4dc-e32a-4f0f-adaf-6d20058cd703">the Services Australia website.</a></p> </div> <p><strong>4. Stay vigilant about financial security</strong></p> <div> <p>There are two reasons to closely track your spending throughout the holiday season: 1. To ensure you stay within budget, and 2. To ensure you don't fall victim to financial scams. The holiday season can be a prime time for financial scams, so be cautious when making purchases online.</p> </div> <p><strong>5. Prepare for post-holiday financial health</strong></p> <div> <p>After the holidays, plan to set aside some money for future expenses or to replenish your savings. A bit of post-holiday planning will help you avoid financial stress in the months ahead - and even get you set up for next Christmas.</p> </div> <p><strong>6. Travel smart: Plan off-peak</strong></p> <div> <p>Travel can be one of the biggest holiday expenses, especially if it coincides with peak Christmas and school holiday periods. Toby recommends traveling outside of these busy times to save money. "Off-peak travel can significantly reduce costs and make your holiday dollar stretch further," he says. Consider planning trips in advance to secure better deals.</p> </div> <div> <p>Planning ahead, managing debt, and reviewing entitlements can help you enjoy the festive season without financial stress. As Toby puts it, "Smart budgeting today helps ensure a more comfortable retirement tomorrow."</p> </div> <div> <p><em><strong>For those seeking personalised advice, NGS Super’s team of financial planners is here to help guide you to a secure and joyful future. Read the <a title="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.ngssuper.com.au/files/documents/financial-services-guide.pdf___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6MDk5ZToxNWJlNDQ0ODUwMWZmYzczYmUzZDY5N2NkNWFmY2M4ZTM0M2I5ZDQyNTI5ZGIwNjdjMDUxZDViY2E1YWRmYWFhOnA6VDpGHYPERLINK___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmM0OTdjMzdkZjcxOGIxNDQxYjdiMzQxMzA0NTcyMzc4Ojc6ZDgzMDowMTA3N2IxNTZmN2JhZDAzOTM5MDc4ODZjM2Y4NTUzYTkwNWE4ZDAxYmJhMmIxMTc0OWZjNjhmNmM5ODNlNzYyOmg6VDpG" href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.ngssuper.com.au/files/documents/financial-services-guide.pdf___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6MDk5ZToxNWJlNDQ0ODUwMWZmYzczYmUzZDY5N2NkNWFmY2M4ZTM0M2I5ZDQyNTI5ZGIwNjdjMDUxZDViY2E1YWRmYWFhOnA6VDpGHYPERLINK___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmM0OTdjMzdkZjcxOGIxNDQxYjdiMzQxMzA0NTcyMzc4Ojc6ZDgzMDowMTA3N2IxNTZmN2JhZDAzOTM5MDc4ODZjM2Y4NTUzYTkwNWE4ZDAxYmJhMmIxMTc0OWZjNjhmNmM5ODNlNzYyOmg6VDpG" data-auth="Verified" data-outlook-id="c4bb4623-ec0a-4e3a-a747-7bf0d2f5659b">NGS Financial Planning Financial Services Guide</a>.</strong></em></p> </div> <div> <p><em><strong>For further information, visit NGS Super’s <a title="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.ngssuper.com.au/articles/news/whats-foro-what-can-you-do-about-it___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6YzlhNDphZGM4Y2Q1YTFlZmQyNjExMGQ4ZDJmYWM3Y2IyOWMxM2FiNjE2MDMwMDc3YjA5ODE5OTY0NjQyYmZkNWE2NGM1OnA6VDpG" href="https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___https:/www.ngssuper.com.au/articles/news/whats-foro-what-can-you-do-about-it___.YzJ1OndlY29tbXVuaWNhdGlvbnM6YzpvOmMyMDk4YTI2ZGE5OWUzY2FhZWQ2Nzc5ZTg1YWM0OGJiOjY6YzlhNDphZGM4Y2Q1YTFlZmQyNjExMGQ4ZDJmYWM3Y2IyOWMxM2FiNjE2MDMwMDc3YjA5ODE5OTY0NjQyYmZkNWE2NGM1OnA6VDpG" data-auth="Verified" data-outlook-id="7c65864b-3f33-43bc-9037-cc1e7ca1acc0">website</a>.</strong></em></p> </div> <div> <p><em><strong>Toby Perkins is authorised to provide financial advice in Australia and is an Authorised Representative (Number 1002908) of Guideway Financial Services Pty Ltd, AFSL Number 420367. Any advice given in this article is general and does not consider your financial situation, needs or objectives so consider whether it is appropriate for you. Be sure to read the relevant PDS and TMD </strong><strong>before deciding whether a financial product is right for you.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Image credits: Shutterstock  </strong></em></p> </div> <div> <p> </p> </div>

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New study suggests weight loss drugs like Ozempic could help with knee pain. Here’s why there may be a link

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christina-abdel-shaheed-425241">Christina Abdel Shaheed</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>The drug semaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Ozempic or Wegovy, was <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-ozempic-how-surprise-discoveries-and-lizard-venom-led-to-a-new-class-of-weight-loss-drugs-219721">originally developed</a> to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.</p> <p>However, researchers have discovered it may help with other health issues, too. Clinical trials show semaglutide can be effective for <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183">weight loss</a>, and hundreds of thousands of people around the world are using it <a href="https://theconversation.com/considering-taking-a-weight-loss-drug-like-ozempic-here-are-some-potential-risks-and-benefits-219312">for this purpose</a>.</p> <p>Evidence has also shown the drug can help manage <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2306963">heart failure</a> and <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403347">chronic kidney disease</a> in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>Now, a study published in the <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403664">New England Journal of Medicine</a> has suggested semaglutide can improve knee pain in people with obesity and osteoarthritis. So what did this study find, and how could semaglutide and osteoarthritis pain be linked?</p> <h2>Osteoarthritis and obesity</h2> <p>Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease, affecting <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis">2.1 million Australians</a>. Most people with osteoarthritis <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-have-knee-pain-from-osteoarthritis-you-might-not-need-surgery-heres-what-to-try-instead-236779">have pain</a> and find it difficult to perform common daily activities such as walking. The knee is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675071/">the joint most commonly affected</a> by osteoarthritis.</p> <p>Being overweight or obese is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25447976/">major risk factor</a> for osteoarthritis in the knee. The link between the two conditions <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26821091/">is complex</a>. It involves a combination of increased load on the knee, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41413-023-00301-9">metabolic factors</a> such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar, and inflammation.</p> <p>For example, elevated blood sugar levels increase the production of inflammatory molecules in the body, which can damage the cartilage in the knee, and lead to the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30712918/">development of osteoarthritis</a>.</p> <p>Weight loss is strongly recommended to reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis in people who are overweight or obese. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31908149/">International</a> and <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard-2024.pdf">Australian guidelines</a> suggest losing as little as 5% of body weight can help.</p> <p>But losing weight with just diet and exercise can be difficult for many people. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26180980/">One study</a> from the United Kingdom found the annual probability of people with obesity losing 5% or more of their body weight was less than one in ten.</p> <p>Semaglutide has recently entered the market as a potential alternative route to weight loss. It comes from a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and works by increasing a person’s sense of fullness.</p> <h2>Semaglutide for osteoarthritis?</h2> <p>The rationale for the <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403664">recent study</a> was that while we know weight loss alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists was yet to be explored. So the researchers set out to understand what effect semaglutide might have on knee osteoarthritis pain, alongside body weight.</p> <p>They randomly allocated 407 people with obesity and moderate osteoarthritis into one of two groups. One group received semaglutide once a week, while the other group received a placebo. Both groups were treated for 68 weeks and received counselling on diet and physical activity. At the end of the treatment phase, researchers measured changes in knee pain, function, and body weight.</p> <p>As expected, those taking semaglutide lost more weight than those in the placebo group. People on semaglutide lost around 13% of their body weight on average, while those taking the placebo lost around 3% on average. More than 70% of people in the semaglutide group lost at least 10% of their body weight compared to just over 9% of people in the placebo group.</p> <p>The study found semaglutide reduced knee pain significantly more than the placebo. Participants who took semaglutide reported an additional 14-point reduction in pain on a 0–100 scale compared to the placebo group.</p> <p>This is much greater than the pain reduction in another <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36511925/">recent study</a> among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis. This study investigated the effects of a diet and exercise program compared to an attention control (where participants are provided with information about nutrition and physical activity). The results here saw only a 3-point difference between the intervention group and the control group on the same scale.</p> <p>The amount of pain relief reported in the semaglutide trial is also larger than that reported with commonly used pain medicines such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35442752/">anti-inflammatories</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35137418/">opioids</a> and <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.m4825">antidepressants</a>.</p> <p>Semaglutide also improved knee function compared to the placebo. For example, people who took semaglutide could walk about 42 meters further than those on the placebo in a six-minute walking test.</p> <h2>How could semaglutide reduce knee pain?</h2> <p>It’s not fully clear how semaglutide helps with knee pain from osteoarthritis. One explanation may be that when a person loses weight, there’s less stress on the joints, which reduces pain.</p> <p>But recent studies have also suggested semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists might have <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661822002651">anti-inflammatory</a> properties, and could even protect against <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6731440/">cartilage wear and tear</a>.</p> <p>While the results of this new study are promising, it’s too soon to regard semaglutide as a “miracle drug” for knee osteoarthritis. And as this study was funded by the drug company that makes semaglutide, it will be important to have independent studies in the future, to confirm the findings, or not.</p> <p>The study also had strict criteria, excluding some groups, such as those taking opioids for knee pain. One in seven Australians seeing a GP for their knee osteoarthritis <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34527976/">are prescribed opioids</a>. Most participants in the trial were white (61%) and women (82%). This means the study may not fully represent the average person with knee osteoarthritis and obesity.</p> <p>It’s also important to consider semaglutide can have a range of <a href="https://theconversation.com/considering-taking-a-weight-loss-drug-like-ozempic-here-are-some-potential-risks-and-benefits-219312">side effects</a>, including gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue.</p> <p>There are some concerns that semaglutide could reduce <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/experts-are-concerned-drugs-like-ozempic-may-cause-muscle-loss">muscle mass</a> and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-muscle-mass-loss">bone density</a>, though we’re still learning more about this.</p> <p>Further, it can be difficult to access.</p> <h2>I have knee osteoarthritis, what should I do?</h2> <p>Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by multiple factors, and it’s important to take <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard/information-consumers-osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">a multifaceted approach</a> to managing it. Weight loss is an important component for those who are overweight or obese, but so are other aspects of <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-have-knee-pain-from-osteoarthritis-you-might-not-need-surgery-heres-what-to-try-instead-236779">self-management</a>. This might include physical activity, pacing strategies, and other positive lifestyle changes such as improving sleep, healthy eating, and so on.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243159/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christina-abdel-shaheed-425241">Christina Abdel Shaheed</a>, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstocl</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-study-suggests-weight-loss-drugs-like-ozempic-could-help-with-knee-pain-heres-why-there-may-be-a-link-243159">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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How hip pain led Sydney karate master to life-changing weight loss journey

<div> <p>Sydney-based karate instructor and personal trainer Glenn Stephenson knows the toll that joint pain and extra weight can take on physical activity. Despite decades of experience as a martial arts coach, Glenn found himself increasingly limited by severe hip pain and unwanted weight gain.</p> </div> <div> <p>In 2021, at 95 kilograms, the 64-year-old’s arthritis and reduced mobility affected not only his work but also his confidence. “I couldn’t move around like I wanted to, and as a master instructor, it felt wrong to be teaching students while carrying so much extra weight,” he admits.</p> </div> <div> <p>Glenn’s pain and discomfort prompted him to make a drastic change. Instead of resorting to extreme dieting, he adopted a more sustainable approach to weight loss to reduce joint and liver inflammation, and regain his mobility. He shed 20 kilograms and now walks four kilometres daily. “I can move better, my mental health has improved, and I feel more capable of guiding my students,” he says.</p> </div> <div> <p>Today, Glenn encourages others struggling with weight to take a balanced approach to fitness and health. “I look the part now, which gives me confidence as a master instructor to show my students that staying active is achievable at any age.”</p> </div> <div> <p>Dietitian Kirby Sorenson, from health platform <a title="https://www.getmosh.com.au/?utm_term=mosh&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Search_Brand_Mosh&amp;utm_source=paid-search&amp;utm_medium=adwords&amp;utm_content=100740202037&amp;hsa_acc=5792635568&amp;hsa_cam=1701000406&amp;hsa_grp=100740202037&amp;hsa_ad=697110582898&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-295213997936&amp;hsa_kw=mosh&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAxKy5BhBbEiwAYiW--5qfGzQVQBG-CmA6baVMEeP5Zmk_oB_GOstA1n2vabFrLzbeDrEEnxoCM4YQAvD_BwE" href="https://www.getmosh.com.au/?utm_term=mosh&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Search_Brand_Mosh&amp;utm_source=paid-search&amp;utm_medium=adwords&amp;utm_content=100740202037&amp;hsa_acc=5792635568&amp;hsa_cam=1701000406&amp;hsa_grp=100740202037&amp;hsa_ad=697110582898&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-295213997936&amp;hsa_kw=mosh&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAxKy5BhBbEiwAYiW--5qfGzQVQBG-CmA6baVMEeP5Zmk_oB_GOstA1n2vabFrLzbeDrEEnxoCM4YQAvD_BwE" data-outlook-id="bc4b923a-a4a3-4af0-80db-e837cd64b4c7">Mosh</a>, is encouraging Australians to ditch the Body Mass Index (BMI) in favour of more modern diagnostics to determine the risk of disease linked to higher body fat, declaring it’s unfairly categorising people as being overweight.</p> </div> <div> <p>Ms Sorenson says knowing your Body Roundness Index (BRI) as well as your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) can more accurately predict the risk of diseases like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease because it works out body fat levels based on height and waist circumference, rather than the BMI method which relies on height and weight.</p> </div> <div> <p>“BMI has long been criticised for inaccurately categorising people as overweight or obese because it doesn’t differentiate between those who carry a lot of muscle and individuals with fat in the wrong places,” Ms Sorenson says.</p> </div> <div> <p>“The problem is that it only looks at overall weight, while the BRI focuses on fat held around the abdomen which is the riskiest fat in terms of overall health.</p> </div> <div> <p>Once the BRI is determined, Ms Sorenson says it can help to know your Basal Metabolic Rate, which is largely determined by your total lean mass to help determine a healthy path to maintaining a healthy weight range.</p> </div> <div> <p>“The basal metabolic rate or BMR gives you an idea of how many calories your body burns doing the bare minimum; breathing, blood circulation, brain and nerve function. It can vary greatly from person to person, which explains why individual weight loss journeys can be so different,” Ms Sorenson said.</p> </div> <div> <p>For more information visit Moshy’s online <a title="https://www.getmoshy.com.au/weight-loss/basal-metabolic-rate-calculator?srsltid=AfmBOoobS-PiI_4sJn2ykpEG6vzq6qkvQXammfLv4Rm-mS5nwll6EN0m" href="https://www.getmoshy.com.au/weight-loss/basal-metabolic-rate-calculator?srsltid=AfmBOoobS-PiI_4sJn2ykpEG6vzq6qkvQXammfLv4Rm-mS5nwll6EN0m" data-outlook-id="800f9af2-0a34-4ac4-801b-d16714c7ec2e">BMR calculator</a>.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied</em></p> </div>

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Anthony Albanese under fire over free Qantas upgrades

<p>A journalist's new book has claimed that Anthony Albanese has been scoring free flight upgrades with Qantas for over 15 years.</p> <p>According to <em>AFR</em> journalist Joe Aston's new book <em>The Chairman’s Lounge</em>, the PM and his family received upgrades from Qantas over his time as Transportation Minister and Opposition Leader between the years of 2007 and 2019.</p> <p>Aston's investigation allegedly  found that Albanese had used his relationship with former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to secure free upgrades to business and first-class flights on at least 22 occasions.</p> <p>“According to Qantas insiders, Albanese would liaise with Joyce directly about his personal travel,” Aston wrote.</p> <p>Albanese has defended these upgrades by stating they were all “declared as appropriate”, saying, “From time to time, members of parliament receive upgrades. What’s important is that they are declared. All of mine have been declared."</p> <p>“I note that a range of them go back a long, a long period of time and that they have all been declared as appropriate.”</p> <p>Despite claiming that the upgrades were all above board, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called the perks  “a bit strange.”</p> <p>“I think it is a bit strange that Mr Albanese is contacting the CEO of an airline when he is the shadow minister or minister for transport,” said Dutton.</p> <p>“I very strongly believe in the need for people to declare their interests, and sometimes there are oversight and human error involved, but when you’re talking about having a personal phone call to ask for an upgrade, as the transport minister or shadow transport minister, then I presume the prime minister will answer questions about that.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

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Helping alleviate the pain of arthritis  

<p>One in seven Australians, or 3.6 million people, are living with arthritis, a leading cause of chronic pain and the second most common cause of disability and early retirement due to ill health, according to Arthritis Australia.</p> <p>Mike Whitney is a big fan of Arborvitae after having spent years playing cricket for NSW and Australia resulting in many aches and pains throughout his body. The joys of sport that many people experience as they get older.</p> <p>Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing has spent years formulating a solution to target debilitating pain caused by arthritis and other chronic conditions. “We wanted it to be a natural product as well,” says Arborvitae Director Brendan Howell.</p> <p>Since it was founded in 2014, Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing, has used Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) as the main ingredient in its range of natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements. The natural plant extract, which grows on the coast of south-west France, is used alongside aloe vera, papain enzyme and honey.</p> <p>“Arborvitae’s unique formulation of natural ingredients provides a potent supplement and is based on years of research into the impact of inflammation in the human body,” Howell says.</p> <p>The company’s main product, Arborvitae Joint Health, may help provide relief from symptoms of mild-moderate arthritis, joint pain, inflammation, soreness and stiffness.</p> <p>‘‘Arborvitae does make a difference, and that has been supported by over 160 clinical trials on its main ingredient Pycnogenol across a broad range of conditions and Arborvitae’s own clinical study,” Howell says.</p> <p>The recent clinical study on Arborvitae Joint Health has shown some exceptional results with pain relief (<strong>66%</strong> decrease in pain test scores), a <strong>50%</strong> increase in walking distance, a <strong>56%</strong> decrease in inflammation in blood tests (CRP), a <strong>78%</strong> reduction in their use of on-demand medications and a <strong>50%</strong> improvement in quality-of-life scores.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-71490" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/10/Infographic_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="899" /></p> <p>“The customer feedback we receive also demonstrates the product's efficacy and enables us to provide real examples of its success when speaking with customers,” Brendan Howell said.</p> <p>As an example, Tracy from All Sort Cakes in Sydney is a regular Arborvitae customer and states:</p> <p>“<em>Arborvitae has been a game </em><em>changer for me. I’ve suffered with sore hands for years and I probably don’t have to tell all of you fellow cake makers how debilitating it can be. A friend suggested I try Arborvitae. So the first bottle I wasn’t sure but I was told to wait till I finish the second bottle to feel the full effects. And yep! Omg!!! The pain all but disappeared.”</em></p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-71488" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/10/Tracy-Wilson-May-2023_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1477" /></p> <p>Whilst Gary from Kenthurst, another regular customer, states:</p> <p>“<em>To be told at 50 I may need a knee operation one day was an obvious shock. I run a small Forklift Business and 19 months ago became a grandfather, so I need to be mobile. </em></p> <p><em>Not wanting an operation at this point I needed an alternative, and what an alternative I found. In obvious pain I started my Arborvitae Joint Health treatment and after 2 weeks my pain and swelling had reduced. Now my pain is gone. If I am going to have a big day in the yard or in the bobcat I make sure I take my Arborvitae Joint Health first. What a fabulous product this is. </em></p> <p><em>No one should go through life in pain and I will tell anyone that will listen - if you have early onset mild Osteo Arthritis start taking Arborvitae Joint Health it has certainly helped me, and I can keep up with my grandson Max.</em>”</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-71487" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gary-copy-holding-new-blue-bottle_770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="482" /></p> <p>Arborvitae’s main product is Arborvitae Joint Health, however the other stars in the range are Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing Supplement for blood glucose, cholesterol and the immune system and Arborvitae Cognitive Function, Memory and Eye Health.</p> <p>Mr Howell said the natural anti-inflammatory comes in an easy to take daily liquid supplement that has been designed to reset the immune system and bring down inflammation in the body quickly and efficiently. The inflammation reduction (of 56%) at the cellular level is confirmed by the CRP results in the recent clinical study. This reduction in inflammation alone is significant.</p> <p>Supplements are sold via Arborvitae’s website and at over 2000 chemists and health food shops Australia wide – including Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart and Blooms The Chemist. To find the closest store near you, visit <a href="http://www.arborvitae.com.au/pages/where-to-buy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.arborvitae.com.au/pages/where-to-buy</a></p> <p>To find out more on the clinical study and Arborvitae’s health supplements you can visit the website: <a href="http://www.arborvitae.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.arborvitae.com.au</a> or call 1300 879 863.</p> <p>Always read the label and follow the directions for use.</p> <p><em>Images: Courtesy of Arborvitae</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Arborvitae</em></p>

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Readers response: What's a pain you can't truly explain until you've endured it?

<p>When it comes to experiencing pain, many of us are used to hearing people say "I know how you feel" while they're empathising with your suffering. </p> <p>However, there are some kinds of pain - either physical or emotional - that cannot be understood until you experience them yourself.</p> <p>We asked our readers what pain you can't truly explain until you've endured it yourself, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Anne Hare</strong> - Shingles! Absolutely excruciating. I seriously considered topping myself until I was finally prescribed Lyrica. Took five months to recover as misdiagnosed twice so antivirals prescribed too late. Have the shot!</p> <p><strong>Karen Ambrose</strong> - Childbirth. 15.5 hours of agony.</p> <p><strong>Annette Maree</strong> - Pain from a dying nerve in a tooth.</p> <p><strong>Royce Jowett</strong> - The worst pain is always the one you are currently experiencing, especially as you get older and forgetful.</p> <p><strong>Julia Santos</strong> - Hip pain is hard to explain how it affects your whole day. Even trying to sleep is an adventure. And sneezing while your hips are inflamed is always fun.</p> <p><strong>Betty Weller Edwards</strong> - Gallbladder stones. I would rather go through labor for 12 hours than have 4 hours off gallbladder pain.</p> <p><strong>Sandra Morris</strong> - The loss of your child. </p> <p><strong>Kevin Chapman</strong> - Chronic arthritis. The pain is 24/7, it never goes away.</p> <p><strong>Danny Bennett</strong> - Divorce. </p> <p><strong>Patricia White</strong> - Dislocated shoulder. </p> <p><strong>Jill Harker</strong> - A couple of bulging discs in my back!</p> <p><strong>Linda Charlton</strong> - Clot in the lungs, couldn't breathe thought I was having a heart attack in my 30's. Other than that, definitely childbirth.</p> <p><strong>George Dworcowyi </strong>- Back spasms after a 7 hour operation on my broken spine. </p> <p><strong>Maxine Cuevas</strong> - Losing two adult children at separate times.</p> <p><strong>Josephine Broughton</strong> - White tail spider bite.</p> <p><strong>Shelley Woolley</strong> - Ruptured ovarian cysts.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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Why is pain so exhausting?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-henry-1321395">Michael Henry</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>One of the most common feelings associated with persisting pain is fatigue and this fatigue can become overwhelming. People with chronic pain can report being drained of energy and motivation to engage with others or the world around them.</p> <p>In fact, a study from the United Kingdom on people with long-term health conditions found pain and fatigue are the <a href="https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/campaign-hub/latest-from-us/the-bridging-the-gap-report/">two biggest barriers</a> to an active and meaningful life.</p> <p>But why is long-term pain so exhausting? One clue is the nature of pain and its powerful effect on our thoughts and behaviours.</p> <h2>Short-term pain can protect you</h2> <p>Modern ways of thinking about pain emphasise its protective effect – the way it grabs your attention and compels you to change your behaviour to keep a body part safe.</p> <p>Try this. Slowly pinch your skin. As you increase the pressure, you’ll notice the feeling changes until, at some point, it becomes painful. It is the pain that stops you squeezing harder, right? In this way, pain protects us.</p> <p>When we are injured, tissue damage or inflammation makes our pain system become more sensitive. This pain stops us from mechanically loading the damaged tissue while it heals. For instance, the pain of a broken leg or a cut under our foot means we avoid walking on it.</p> <p>The concept that “pain protects us and promotes healing” is one of the most important things people who were in chronic pain tell us <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35934276/">they learned</a> that helped them recover.</p> <h2>But long-term pain can overprotect you</h2> <p>In the short term, pain does a terrific job of protecting us and the longer our pain system is active, the more protective it becomes.</p> <p>But persistent pain can <em>overprotect</em> us and <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jabr.12124">prevent recovery</a>. People in pain have called this “<a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(22)00379-0/fulltext">pain system hypersensitivity</a>”. Think of this as your pain system being on red alert. And this is where exhaustion comes in.</p> <p>When pain becomes a daily experience, triggered or amplified by a widening range of activities, contexts and cues, it becomes a constant drain on one’s resources. Going about life with pain requires substantial and constant effort, and this makes us fatigued.</p> <p><a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-disease/chronic-pain-in-australia/summary">About 80%</a> of us are lucky enough to not know what it is like to have pain, day in day out, for months or years. But take a moment to imagine what it would be like.</p> <p>Imagine having to concentrate hard, to muster energy and use distraction techniques, just to go about your everyday tasks, let alone to complete work, caring or other duties.</p> <p>Whenever you are in pain, you are faced with a choice of whether, and how, to act on it. Constantly making this choice requires thought, effort and strategy.</p> <p>Mentioning your pain, or explaining its impact on each moment, task or activity, is also tiring and difficult to get across when no-one else can see or feel your pain. For those who do listen, it can become tedious, draining or worrying.</p> <h2>No wonder pain is exhausting</h2> <p>In chronic pain, it’s not just the pain system on red alert. Increased inflammation throughout the body (the immune system on red alert), disrupted output of the hormone cortisol (the endocrine system on red alert), and stiff and guarded movements (the motor system on red alert) also go <a href="https://www.noigroup.com/product/explain-pain-supercharged/">hand in hand</a> with chronic pain.</p> <p>Each of these adds to fatigue and exhaustion. So learning how to manage and resolve chronic pain often includes learning how to best manage the over-activation of these systems.</p> <p>Loss of sleep is also a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9289983/">factor</a> in both fatigue and pain. Pain causes disruptions to sleep, and loss of sleep contributes to pain.</p> <p>In other words, chronic pain is seldom “just” pain. No wonder being in long-term pain can become all-consuming and exhausting.</p> <h2>What actually works?</h2> <p>People with chronic pain are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9633893/">stigmatised, dismissed</a> and <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(13)01367-9/fulltext">misunderstood</a>, which can lead to them not getting the care they need. Ongoing pain may prevent people working, limit their socialising and impact their relationships. This can lead to a descending spiral of social, personal and economic disadvantage.</p> <p>So we need better access to evidence-based care, with high-quality education for people with chronic pain.</p> <p>There is good news here though. Modern care for chronic pain, which is grounded in first gaining a modern understanding of the underlying biology of chronic pain, <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00441-5/abstract">helps</a>.</p> <p>The key seems to be recognising, and accepting, that a hypersensitive pain system is a key player in chronic pain. This makes a quick fix highly unlikely but a program of gradual change – perhaps over months or even years – promising.</p> <p>Understanding how pain works, how persisting pain becomes overprotective, how our brains and bodies adapt to training, and then learning new skills and strategies to gradually retrain both brain and body, offers scientifically based hope; there’s strong <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2794765">supportive evidence</a> from <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00441-5/abstract">clinical trials</a>.</p> <h2>Every bit of support helps</h2> <p>The best treatments we have for chronic pain take effort, patience, persistence, courage and often a good coach. All that is a pretty overwhelming proposition for someone already exhausted.</p> <p>So, if you are in the 80% of the population without chronic pain, spare a thought for what’s required and support your colleague, friend, partner, child or parent as they take on the journey.</p> <hr /> <p><em>More information about chronic pain is available from <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/painfacts">Pain Revolution</a>.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238417/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-henry-1321395">Michael Henry</a>, Physiotherapist and PhD candidate, Body in Mind Research Group, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-pain-so-exhausting-238417">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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The Princess of Wales wants to stay cancer-free. What does this mean?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amali-cooray-1482458">Amali Cooray</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-eddie-la-marca-1503690">John (Eddie) La Marca</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-diepstraten-1495268">Sarah Diepstraten</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822"><em>WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)</em> </a></em></p> <p>Catherine, Princess of Wales, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/09/princess-of-wales-cancer-free-after-completing-chemotherapy">has announced</a> she has now completed a course of preventive chemotherapy.</p> <p>The news comes nine months after the princess first <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68641441">revealed</a> she was being treated for an unspecified form of cancer.</p> <p>In the new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSrDEq8QFkc">video message</a> released by Kensington Palace, Princess Catherine says she’s focused on doing what she can to stay “cancer-free”. She acknowledges her cancer journey is not over and the “path to recovery and healing is long”.</p> <p>While we don’t know the details of the princess’s cancer or treatment, it raises some questions about how we declare someone fully clear of the disease. So what does being – and staying – “cancer-free” mean?</p> <h2>What’s the difference between being cancer-free and in remission?</h2> <p>Medically, “cancer-free” <a href="https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/remission--cancer-free--no-evidence-of-disease--what-is-the-difference-when-talking-about-cancer-treatment-effectiveness-and-results.h00-159460845.html">means</a> two things. First, it means no cancer cells are able to be detected in a patient’s body using the available testing methods. Second, there is no cancer left in the patient.</p> <p>These might sound basically the same. But this second aspect of “cancer-free” can be complicated, as it’s essentially impossible to be sure no cancer cells have survived a treatment.</p> <p>It only takes a few surviving cells for the cancer to <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-does-cancer-spread-to-other-parts-of-the-body-219616">grow back</a>. But these cells may not be detectable via testing, and can lie dormant for some time. The possibility of some cells still surviving means it is more accurate to say a patient is “in remission”, rather than “cancer-free”.</p> <p>Remission means there is no detectable cancer left. Once a patient has been in remission for a certain period of time, they are often considered to be fully “cancer-free”.</p> <p>Princess Catherine was not necessarily speaking in the strict medical sense. Nonetheless, she is clearly signalling a promising step in her recovery.</p> <h2>What happens during remission?</h2> <p>During remission, patients will usually undergo surveillance testing to make sure their cancer hasn’t returned. Detection tests can vary greatly depending on both the patient and their cancer type.</p> <p>Many <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/screening-tests">tests</a> involve simply looking at different organs to see if there are cancer cells present, but at varying levels of complexity.</p> <p>Some cancers can be detected with the naked eye, such as skin cancers. In other cases, technology is needed: colonoscopies for colorectal cancers, X-ray mammograms for breast cancers, or CT scans for lung cancers. There are also molecular tests, which test for the presence of cancer cells using protein or DNA from blood or tissue samples.</p> <p>For most patients, testing will continue for years at regular intervals. Surveillance testing ensures any returning cancer is caught early, giving patients the best chance of successful treatment.</p> <p>Remaining in remission for five years can be a huge milestone in a patient’s cancer journey. For most types of cancer, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31231898/">chances of cancer returning</a> drop significantly after five years of remission. After this point, surveillance testing may be performed less frequently, as the patients might be deemed to be at a lower risk of their cancer returning.</p> <h2>Measuring survival rates</h2> <p>Because it is very difficult to tell when a cancer is “cured”, clinicians may instead refer to a “five-year survival rate”. This measures how likely a cancer patient is to be alive five years after their diagnosis.</p> <p>For example, data shows the <a href="https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival-diagnosis">five-year survival rate</a> for <a href="https://cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/bowel-cancer">bowel cancer</a> among Australian women (of all ages) is around 70%. That means if you had 100 patients with bowel cancer, after five years you would expect 70 to still be alive and 30 to have succumbed to the disease.</p> <p>These statistics can’t tell us much about individual cases. But comparing five-year survival rates between large groups of patients after different cancer treatments can help clinicians make the often complex decisions about how best to treat their patients.</p> <p>The likelihood of cancer coming back, or recurring, is influenced by many factors which can vary over time. For instance, approximately 30% of people with lung cancer <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7061059/">develop a recurrent disease</a>, even after treatment. On the other hand, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4933127/">breast cancer recurrence</a> within two years of the initial diagnosis is approximately 15%. Within five years it drops to 10%. After ten, it falls below 2%.</p> <p>These are generalisations though – recurrence rates can vary greatly depending on things such as what kind of cancer the patient has, how advanced it is, and whether it has spread.</p> <h2>Staying cancer-free</h2> <p>Princess Catherine <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/sep/09/princess-of-wales-cancer-free-after-completing-chemotherapy">says</a> her focus now is to “stay cancer-free”. What might this involve?</p> <p>How a cancer develops and whether it recurs can be <a href="https://nature.com/articles/s41467-018-05467-z">influenced</a> by things we can’t control, such as age, ethnicity, gender, genetics and hormones.</p> <p>However, there are sometimes <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances">environmental factors</a> we can control. That includes things like exposure to UV radiation from the sun, or inhaling carcinogens like tobacco.</p> <p>Lifestyle factors also play a role. Poor diet and nutrition, a lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption can all <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10925935">contribute to cancer development</a>.</p> <p>Research estimates more than half of all cancers could <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/resources/position-statements/lifestyle-risk-factors-and-primary-prevention-cancer/recommendations">potentially be prevented</a> through <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/cancer/screening-for-cancer">regular screening</a> and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (not to mention preventing other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes).</p> <p>Recommendations to reduce cancer risk are the same for everyone, not just those who’ve had treatment like Princess Catherine. They include not smoking, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, exercising regularly, cutting down on alcohol and staying sun smart.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238681/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amali-cooray-1482458">Amali Cooray</a>, PhD Candidate in Genetic Engineering and Cancer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-eddie-la-marca-1503690">John (Eddie) La Marca</a>, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) </a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-diepstraten-1495268">Sarah Diepstraten</a>, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/wehi-walter-and-eliza-hall-institute-of-medical-research-822">WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-princess-of-wales-wants-to-stay-cancer-free-what-does-this-mean-238681">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Why is it so hard to cancel subscriptions or end ‘free’ trials? Report shows how companies trap you into paying

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katharine-kemp-402096">Katharine Kemp</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Many businesses are trapping Australian consumers in paid subscriptions by making them hard to cancel, hiding important details and offering “free” trials that auto-renew with hefty charges. We need law reform to tackle this continuing problem.</p> <p><a href="https://cprc.org.au/report/let-me-out">A new report</a> shows 75% of Australian consumers have had negative experiences when trying to cancel a subscription, according to the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC).</p> <p>It shows businesses use “<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-spot-avoid-dark-patterns/">dark patterns</a>”, which are designs that hinder consumers who try to act in their own best interests. Subscription traps are often called “<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2022/11/checking-out-ftcs-100-million-settlement-vonage">Hotel California</a>” techniques, referring to The Eagles’ famous lyric: “you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave”.</p> <p>In some of these cases, consumers may have remedies under our existing consumer law, including for misleading conduct. But we need law reform to capture other <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2023-430458">unfair practices</a>.</p> <p>In the meantime, the CPRC’s research also gives examples of businesses with <em>fair</em>, consumer-friendly subscription practices. These also benefit the business.</p> <h2>Examples of unfair subscription traps</h2> <p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/09/12/the-evolution-of-the-subscription-model-and-whats-on-the-horizon/">Subscription business models</a> have become common – many products are now provided in the form of software, an app or access to a website. Some of these would once have been a physical book, newspaper, CD or exercise class.</p> <p>Most people who use online services have experienced the frustration of finding a credit card charge for an unwanted, unused subscription or spending excessive time trying to cancel a subscription.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=643&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=643&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=643&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=808&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=808&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615486/original/file-20240826-16-fp57es.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=808&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Infographic with a few statistics from the report." /></a><figcaption><span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://cprc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CPRC_LetMeOut_SubsTraps_Report_FINAL.pdf">CPRC, Let me out – Subscription trap practices in Australia, August 2024</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Businesses can make it difficult for consumers to stop paying for unwanted subscriptions. Some do this by allowing consumers to start a subscription with a single click, but creating multiple obstacles if you want to end the subscription.</p> <p>This can include obscuring cancellation options in the app, requiring consumers to phone during business hours or making them navigate through multiple steps and offers before terminating. The report points out many of the last-ditch discounts offered in this process are only short term. One survey respondent said:</p> <blockquote> <p>I wasn’t able to cancel without having to call up and speak to someone. Their business hours meant I had to call up during my work day and it took some time to action.</p> </blockquote> <p>Other businesses badger consumers with frequent emails or messages after they cancel. One respondent said a business made “the cancellation process impossible by making you call and then judging your reason for cancellation”.</p> <h2>What does consumer law say?</h2> <p>Some subscription traps already fall foul of the Australian Consumer Law and warrant investigation by the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-warns-consumers-to-beware-of-subscription-traps">Australian Competition &amp; Consumer Commission</a> (ACCC). Consumers may have remedies where the business has engaged in misleading conduct or imposes an unfair contract term.</p> <p>For example, the ACCC is <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-court-action-against-eharmony-for-alleged-misleading-online-dating-membership-statements#:%7E:text=The%20ACCC%20has%20today%20commenced%20proceedings%20in%20the,the%20pricing%2C%20renewal%20and%20duration%20of%20its%20memberships.">suing dating site eHarmony</a> for its allegedly misleading subscription practices.</p> <p>In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling">has filed a complaint against software company Adobe</a> for allegedly using dark patterns in its subscription practices.</p> <p>The Federal Trade Commission has alleged that “Adobe pushed consumers toward the ‘annual paid monthly’ subscription without adequately disclosing that cancelling the plan in the first year could cost hundreds of dollars”.</p> <p>Adobe <a href="https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2024/Adobes-Recent-Statement-Regarding-Updated-Federal-Trade-Commission-Complaint-/default.aspx">issued a statement</a> arguing the commission’s complaint “mischaracterises” its business. The litigation is ongoing.</p> <h2>We need an unfair practices prohibition</h2> <p>Some subscription traps would fall outside the existing consumer law. This is because they don’t meet the test for misleading conduct or unfair contract terms, but make it practically very difficult to cancel.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-welcomes-consultation-on-possible-unfair-trading-practices-regulatory-reforms">ACCC has advocated</a> for Australia to follow other countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States to enact an unfair practices prohibition to capture conduct like this.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=769&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=769&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=769&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=966&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=966&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/615487/original/file-20240826-16-2j23h7.png?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=966&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The shift businesses can make today.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://cprc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CPRC_LetMeOut_SubsTraps_Report_FINAL.pdf">CPRC, Let me out – Subscription trap practices in Australia, August 2024</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Better practices benefit businesses too</h2> <p>The CPRC report also revealed that 90% of Australians would likely purchase from the same organisation if cancelling a subscription process was quick and simple.</p> <p>Businesses focused on a short-sighted cash grab fail to realise that consumers might cancel but later return if treated well.</p> <p>The CPRC highlights businesses that are doing a good job. For instance, the habit change app Atoms (based on James Clear’s book Atomic Habits) has a genuinely free trial. It doesn’t require credit card details, doesn’t auto-renew, and lets consumers know how many trial days remain.</p> <p>The CPRC says the charity World Vision doesn’t auto-renew annual sponsorships, but reminds supporters about when the sponsorship will lapse.</p> <p>Importantly, some businesses – such as Netflix – use their data for good in this context. They notice when users are paying for the service without using it and help them unsubscribe.</p> <p>These practices should be applauded. But we need an unfair practices prohibition for businesses who don’t follow suit and recognise the long-term benefits of treating customers fairly.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237236/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katharine-kemp-402096">Katharine Kemp</a>, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law &amp; Justice; Lead, UNSW Public Interest Law &amp; Tech Initiative, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-it-so-hard-to-cancel-subscriptions-or-end-free-trials-report-shows-how-companies-trap-you-into-paying-237236">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>Back pain is common. One in thirteen people have it right now and worldwide a staggering 619 million people will <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">have it this year</a>.</p> <p>Chronic pain, of which back pain is the most common, is the world’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">most disabling</a> health problem. Its economic impact <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92510/">dwarfs other health conditions</a>.</p> <p>If you get back pain, how long will it take to go away? We scoured the scientific literature to <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/2/E29.full.pdf">find out</a>. We found data on almost 20,000 people, from 95 different studies and split them into three groups:</p> <ul> <li>acute – those with back pain that started less than six weeks ago</li> <li>subacute – where it started between six and 12 weeks ago</li> <li>chronic – where it started between three months and one year ago.</li> </ul> <p>We found 70%–95% of people with acute back pain were likely to recover within six months. This dropped to 40%–70% for subacute back pain and to 12%–16% for chronic back pain.</p> <p>Clinical guidelines point to graded return to activity and pain education under the guidance of a health professional as the best ways to promote recovery. Yet these effective interventions are underfunded and hard to access.</p> <h2>More pain doesn’t mean a more serious injury</h2> <p>Most acute back pain episodes are <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/75af0cfd-6182-4328-ad23-04ad8618920f/attachment.aspx">not caused</a> by serious injury or disease.</p> <p>There are rare exceptions, which is why it’s wise to see your doctor or physio, who can check for signs and symptoms that warrant further investigation. But unless you have been in a significant accident or sustained a large blow, you are unlikely to have caused much damage to your spine.</p> <p>Even very minor back injuries can be brutally painful. This is, in part, because of how we are made. If you think of your spinal cord as a very precious asset (which it is), worthy of great protection (which it is), a bit like the crown jewels, then what would be the best way to keep it safe? Lots of protection and a highly sensitive alarm system.</p> <p>The spinal cord is protected by strong bones, thick ligaments, powerful muscles and a highly effective alarm system (your nervous system). This alarm system can trigger pain that is so unpleasant that you cannot possibly think of, let alone do, anything other than seek care or avoid movement.</p> <p>The messy truth is that when pain persists, the pain system becomes more sensitive, so a widening array of things contribute to pain. This pain system hypersensitivity is a result of neuroplasticity – your nervous system is becoming better at making pain.</p> <h2>Reduce your chance of lasting pain</h2> <p>Whether or not your pain resolves is not determined by the extent of injury to your back. We don’t know all the factors involved, but we do know there are things that you can do to reduce chronic back pain:</p> <ul> <li> <p>understand how pain really works. This will involve intentionally learning about modern pain science and care. It will be difficult but rewarding. It will help you work out what you can do to change your pain</p> </li> <li> <p>reduce your pain system sensitivity. With guidance, patience and persistence, you can learn how to gradually retrain your pain system back towards normal.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>How to reduce your pain sensitivity and learn about pain</h2> <p>Learning about “how pain works” provides the most sustainable <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-067718">improvements in chronic back pain</a>. Programs that combine pain education with graded brain and body exercises (gradual increases in movement) can reduce pain system sensitivity and help you return to the life you want.</p> <p>These programs have been in development for years, but high-quality clinical trials <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2794765">are now emerging</a> and it’s good news: they show most people with chronic back pain improve and many completely recover.</p> <p>But most clinicians aren’t equipped to deliver these effective programs – <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">good pain education</a> is not taught in most medical and health training degrees. Many patients still receive ineffective and often risky and expensive treatments, or keep seeking temporary pain relief, hoping for a cure.</p> <p>When health professionals don’t have adequate pain education training, they can deliver bad pain education, which leaves patients feeling like they’ve just <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">been told it’s all in their head</a>.</p> <p>Community-driven not-for-profit organisations such as <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/">Pain Revolution</a> are training health professionals to be good pain educators and raising awareness among the general public about the modern science of pain and the best treatments. Pain Revolution has partnered with dozens of health services and community agencies to train more than <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/find-a-lpe">80 local pain educators</a> and supported them to bring greater understanding and improved care to their colleagues and community.</p> <p>But a broader system-wide approach, with government, industry and philanthropic support, is needed to expand these programs and fund good pain education. To solve the massive problem of chronic back pain, effective interventions need to be part of standard care, not as a last resort after years of increasing pain, suffering and disability.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222513/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, Post-doctoral Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-long-does-back-pain-last-and-how-can-learning-about-pain-increase-the-chance-of-recovery-222513">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Do you have knee pain from osteoarthritis? You might not need surgery. Here’s what to try instead

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/belinda-lawford-1294188">Belinda Lawford</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-zadro-504754">Joshua Zadro</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rana-hinman-1536232">Rana Hinman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p>Most people with knee osteoarthritis can control their pain and improve their mobility without surgery, according to <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">updated treatment guidelines</a> from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.</p> <p>So what is knee osteoarthritis and what are the best ways to manage it?</p> <h2>More than 2 million Australians have osteoarthritis</h2> <p>Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, affecting <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis">2.1 million Australians</a>. It <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis">costs the economy</a> A$4.3 billion each year.</p> <p>Osteoarthritis commonly <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33560326/">affects</a> the knees, but can also affect the hips, spine, hands and feet. It impacts the whole joint including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles.</p> <p>Most people with osteoarthritis have persistent pain and find it difficult to perform simple daily tasks, such as walking and climbing stairs.</p> <h2>Is it caused by ‘wear and tear’?</h2> <p>Knee osteoarthritis is most likely to affect older people, those who are overweight or obese, and those with previous knee injuries. But contrary to popular belief, knee osteoarthritis is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31192807/">not caused by</a> “wear and tear”.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21281726/">Research shows</a> the degree of structural wear and tear visible in the knee joint on an X-ray does not correlate with the level of pain or disability a person experiences. Some people have a low degree of structural wear and tear and very bad symptoms, while others have a high degree of structural wear and tear and minimal symptoms. So X-rays are <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">not required</a> to diagnose knee osteoarthritis or guide treatment decisions.</p> <p>Telling people they have wear and tear can make them worried about their condition and afraid of damaging their joint. It can also encourage them to try invasive and potentially unnecessary treatments such as surgery. We have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37795555/">shown this</a> in people with osteoarthritis, and other common pain conditions such as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9545091/">back</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33789444/">shoulder</a> pain.</p> <p>This has led to a global call for a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38354847/">change in the way</a> we think and communicate about osteoarthritis.</p> <h2>What’s the best way to manage osteoarthritis?</h2> <p>Non-surgical treatments work well for most people with osteoarthritis, regardless of their age or the severity of their symptoms. These <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">include</a> education and self-management, exercise and physical activity, weight management and nutrition, and certain pain medicines.</p> <p>Education is important to dispel misconceptions about knee osteoarthritis. This includes information about what osteoarthritis is, how it is diagnosed, its prognosis, and the most effective ways to self-manage symptoms.</p> <p>Health professionals who use positive and reassuring language <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35750241/">can improve</a> people’s knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis and its management.</p> <p>Many people believe that exercise and physical activity will cause further damage to their joint. But it’s safe and can reduce pain and disability. Exercise has fewer side effects than commonly used pain medicines such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36593092/">paracetamol and anti-inflammatories</a> and can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26488691/">prevent or delay</a> the need for joint replacement surgery in the future.</p> <p>Many types of exercise <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30830561/">are effective</a> for knee osteoarthritis, such as strength training, aerobic exercises like walking or cycling, Yoga and Tai chi. So you can do whatever type of exercise best suits you.</p> <p>Increasing general physical activity is also important, such as taking more steps throughout the day and reducing sedentary time.</p> <p>Weight management is important for those who are overweight or obese. Weight loss <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34843383/">can reduce knee pain and disability</a>, particularly when combined with exercise. Losing as little as 5–10% of your body weight <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36474793/">can be beneficial</a>.</p> <p>Pain medicines should not replace treatments such as exercise and weight management but can be used alongside these treatments to help manage pain. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33786837/">Recommended medicines</a> include paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.</p> <p>Opioids are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35137418/">not recommended</a>. The risk of harm outweighs any potential benefits.</p> <h2>What about surgery?</h2> <p>People with knee osteoarthritis commonly undergo two types of surgery: knee arthroscopy and knee replacement.</p> <p>Knee arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery used to remove or repair damaged pieces of bone or cartilage that are thought to cause pain.</p> <p>However, high-quality research <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24369076/">has shown</a> arthroscopy is not effective. Arthroscopy should therefore not be used in the management of knee osteoarthritis.</p> <p>Joint replacement involves replacing the joint surfaces with artificial parts. In 2021–22, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis">53,500 Australians</a> had a knee replacement for their osteoarthritis.</p> <p>Joint replacement is often seen as being inevitable and “necessary”. But most people can effectively manage their symptoms through exercise, physical activity and weight management.</p> <p>The new guidelines (known as “care standard”) recommend joint replacement surgery only be considered for those with severe symptoms who have already tried non-surgical treatments.</p> <h2>I have knee osteoarthritis. What should I do?</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">care standard</a> links to free evidence-based resources to support people with osteoarthritis. These include:</p> <ul> <li>education, such as a <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/making-a-decision-about-knee-osteoarthritis-v1.pdf.pdf">decision aid</a> and <a href="http://www.futurelearn.com/courses/taking-control-hip-and-knee-osteoarthritis">four-week online course</a></li> <li>self-directed <a href="https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/departments/physiotherapy/chesm/patient-resources/my-knee-exercise">online exercise</a> and <a href="https://myjointyoga.com.au/">yoga</a> programs</li> <li><a href="https://www.gethealthynsw.com.au/program/standard-coaching/">weight management support</a></li> <li>pain management strategies, such as <a href="https://www.myjointpain.org.au/">MyJointPain</a> and <a href="http://www.paintrainer.org/">painTRAINER</a>.</li> </ul> <p>If you have osteoarthritis, you can use the <a href="https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/clinical-care-standards/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard">care standard</a> to inform discussions with your health-care provider, and to make informed decisions about your care.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236779/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/belinda-lawford-1294188"><em>Belinda Lawford</em></a><em>, Postdoctoral research fellow in physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/giovanni-e-ferreira-1030477">Giovanni E. Ferreira</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-zadro-504754">Joshua Zadro</a>, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rana-hinman-1536232">Rana Hinman</a>, Professor in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-you-have-knee-pain-from-osteoarthritis-you-might-not-need-surgery-heres-what-to-try-instead-236779">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Does free-to-air TV really need gambling ads to survive?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-hughes-2728">Andrew Hughes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p>If anything is a sure bet right now, it’s corporate Australia’s willingness to use some variation of the “for society’s good” argument.</p> <p>The most recent example of this is the claim being made, including by federal minister <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/13/gambling-ad-ban-labor-bill-shorten-tv-media-advertising-revenue">Bill Shorten</a>, that an outright ban on gambling advertising would be disastrous for free-to-air TV.</p> <p>To be clear, Labor still supports new restrictions on gambling advertisements, including hourly caps and bans during kids’ TV and during and around sports broadcasts.</p> <p>But it has rejected the idea of a total ban, prompting a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-mps-say-total-ban-is-the-only-way-on-gambling-ads-20240812-p5k1q0.html">backlash</a> extending as far as some of its own backbench MPs.</p> <p>Speaking on ABC’s Q&A on Monday night, Shorten said Australia’s free-to-air TV broadcasters were in “diabolical trouble”, with many needing gambling ad revenue “in order just to stay afloat”.</p> <p>“I’m not convinced that complete prohibition works,” he said.</p> <p>So would our commercial TV networks really fall over tomorrow without gambling ad revenue? Or is something else at play?</p> <h2>Who is buying ads in Australia?</h2> <p>Let’s start by building a bigger picture of where advertising spend more broadly comes from in Australia. Global analytics firm Nielsen regularly compiles <a href="https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2024/top-20-categories-by-ad-spend-for-2023-revealed-in-latest-nielsen-ad-intel-report/#:%7E:text=Retail%20topped%20the%20list%20with,significant%20investment%20of%20%24596m.">top 20</a> lists of both the categories and individual companies spending the most on ads here.</p> <p>In 2023 the top category, retail, accounted for A$2.56 billion in advertising spend. Gambling and gaming, in contrast, represented just $239 million, less than a tenth of this figure.</p> <p>Harvey Norman topped the list of <a href="https://www.nielsen.com/news-center/2024/australias-top-20-highest-spending-advertisers-of-2023-revealed-in-latest-nielsen-ad-intel-report/">individual companies</a> in 2023. The first we see of any gambling brand is Sportsbet, which came in at 16th.</p> <p>For gambling companies, it’s fair to assume the lion’s share of this goes to TV. <a href="https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2023-10/report/gambling-advertising-australia-placement-and-spending">Research</a> by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found 68% of gambling companies’ ad spend went to free-to-air TV markets.</p> <p>As for the remainder, 9% went to radio, 15% to social media and 8% to other online platforms.</p> <h2>How much is actually getting spent?</h2> <p>But how do we estimate the gambling industry’s total annual advertising spend? There are certainly a lot of numbers getting thrown around.</p> <p>One <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/tv-networks-to-demand-fee-relief-as-40m-wagering-hole-opens-up-20240804-p5jzav">source</a> put it at $300.5 million for 2022.</p> <p>More recently, ACMA published detailed figures for the period between May 2022 and April 2023 which put it at just over <a href="https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2023-10/report/gambling-advertising-australia-placement-and-spending">$238 million</a>, with $162 million of this going to free-to-air TV networks.</p> <p>But the way advertising is classified – what defines an advertisement – can sometimes differ between agencies. Then there is the <a href="https://www.acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal#register-licensed-gambling">number of brands operating</a>, which is constantly changing.</p> <p>In a market with so many competitors, any new entrant needs to spend big on advertising just to capture enough market share to be viable.</p> <p>This is why I argue that the actual figure for financial year 2023 may be slightly higher than ACMA’s widely quoted figure, accounting for the big ad spend of new entrants that may have fallen outside the time window assessed.</p> <p>Based on average company ad spend as a percentage of revenue and the size of the gambling industry, I estimate it could be higher, in the ballpark of $275 million.</p> <h2>How much is that to the networks?</h2> <p>This exercise is all about putting these figures in context.</p> <p>Channel Seven, for example, brought in <a href="https://www.sevenwestmedia.com.au/assets/Uploads/Final-2023-Annual-Report.pdf">$1.5 billion in revenue in 2023</a>. Even if it had received the gambling industry’s entire ad spend at my higher estimate of $275 million, this would still only account for less than 20% of its annual turnover.</p> <p>If that money all went to TV ads, Channel Seven’s stated 38.5% share of television advertising revenue would put its revenue from the estimated sports betting advertising at about $106 million in this example, around 7% of its total annual revenue.</p> <p>Losing most of that would hurt, but wouldn’t mortally threaten the business.</p> <p>A total ban would most likely be <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-13/peta-murphy-left-online-gambling-legacy-why-isn-t-labor-adopting/104217328">phased in</a> over a number of years, not enacted overnight.</p> <p>Australia’s free-to-air networks would adapt, restrategise, and find and develop new markets to replace that revenue. Their management teams are far too smart to just shrug their shoulders and take a revenue hit on the corporate chin.</p> <h2>Networks have had plenty of time to adapt</h2> <p>Just a refresher. LinkedIn is now more than 20 years old. Facebook is 20. YouTube is 19. X (formerly known as Twitter) is 18. TikTok is seven.</p> <p>If free-to-air TV’s business model is so glacial it can’t function in the digital age, it probably doesn’t deserve to be operating in the big leagues.</p> <p>Digital is here and has been for a while now. The media industry has borne the brunt of this change, but has also had the most time to adapt to the disruptors, who are now more established oligopolies and duopolies than “cool start-ups” out of Silicon Valley.</p> <p>The argument that we need to protect sports gambling ads to protect the big media brands – has little to no basis. It’s a worn out argument we’ve seen time and time again – <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-push-to-end-tobacco-advertising-in-the-1970s-could-be-used-to-curb-gambling-ads-today-200915">big tobacco</a>, I’m looking at you.</p> <p>Protecting the interests of corporate Australia at the cost of society itself is a gamble none of us should be prepared to take.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236686/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-hughes-2728">Andrew Hughes</a>, Lecturer, Research School of Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-free-to-air-tv-really-need-gambling-ads-to-survive-236686">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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