Professional opportunities for students

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a cornerstone of the RMIT Osteopathy program, giving our students industry-relevant education and training, and an opportunity to develop their professional network and career opportunities.

Students benefit greatly from these placements because they gain authentic, practical experience and the clinical skills they need to thrive as they begin their careers as osteopaths.

But there is a lot to be gained for our industry partners as well!

• Share your expertise – hosting a student for clinical placements is a great way to share your industry expertise with the next generation of osteopaths. Our students benefit greatly for having exposure to clinical populations that do not present to the student clinic.

• Develop your leadership and mentoring skills – with the launch of the new Osteopathy Australia Clinical Supervision Modules, there are new opportunities to develop your mentoring skills and become a leader in industry placed clinical education.

• Reduced price consultations – your patients can benefit from the reduced prices offered for appointments with student interns, and you can offer free follow up calls to provide added benefit to your patients.

• Find your next associate and grow your business –many interns go on to join the clinics that hosted them for their clinical placements! This is especially useful if your practice is regional/remote or interstate to the teaching universities.

For more details, please contact: Damian Tyson | Industry Engagement Coordinator | STEM College +61 3 9925 6499 | damian.tyson@rmit.edu.au | Building 91, Level 2 | STEM Hub CRICOS provider code: 00122A

Understanding Chronic Pain Management

The benefits of saffron and PEA and their influence on the endocannabinoid system

Chronic pain is on the rise and sufferers are more likely to experience psychological concerns such as depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances. PEA and saffron have the unique ability to influence the endocannabinoid system and in turn, manage chronic pain and its associated symptoms.

Chronic pain is persistent pain lasting more than 3-6 months. Over the past 10 years, general practitioners have seen a 67% rise in patients experiencing chronic pain.1

Chronic pain is complex and it is often reported that chronic pain sufferers concurrently experience psychological distress and symptoms such as poor mood and sleep.1 The body is equipped with a variety of mechanisms and systems to alleviate and resolve pain, including the endocannabinoid system. Compounds, such as palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and Crocus sativus (saffron), have the unique ability to influence the endocannabinoid system and in turn, manage chronic pain and its associated symptoms. The endocannabinoid system is involved in the modulation of pain and inflammation.

Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors are located within the brain and central nervous system whilst cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors are found primarily in peripheral tissue and cells of the immune system.5 Endocannabinoids are produced endogenously or can be supplied exogenously to manage pain. Whilst PEA is not a cannabinoid itself, it is a naturally occurring endogenous fatty acid that is produced in response to inflammation or injury. In conditions such as chronic pain, it has been noted levels have been altered, highlighting the benefit of PEA supplementation.3

PEA works through:

• Enhancing tissue levels of anandamide, a cannabinoid that acts upon CB1 and CB2 receptors, providing analgesic properties.6

• An affinity to PPAR-α receptors, which reduces inflammation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory signalling molecules.6

For more information on managing chronic conditions, visit fxmedicine.com.au Your gateway to the latest research and information in functional and