Pain treatment of champions
PROGRAM: Today Tonight, Channel 7
REPORTER: Rohan Wenn
BROADCAST DATE: July 15, 2004

Olympic swimmers say it helped them. Olympic swimmers Linley Frame and Daniel Kowalski claim a product called Sportstim helped them cope with neck and back pain. But it's not just for athletes.

Our record-breaking Australian Olympic heroes often seem unbreakable. But one legacy of elite sports can often be injuries that stay with our athletes long after the race is won.

These days champion swimmer Daniel Kowalski has to deal with pain nearly every day of his life.

"Years of swimming up and down that black line - my body paid the price for it in the end," Daniel said.

"I've had four shoulder operations and back surgery, along with ailments, ankles knees elbows, it's been an ongoing list."

Former Olympian breaststroke swimmer Linley Frame also struggles with back and neck pain after years of gruelling training which made being a mum all the more difficult.

"My back was terrible when I was pregnant with both my kids," Linley said. "I tried to do the right thing exercise-wise but I had shocking aches and pain in my back."

"And sometimes the best way to cope with it was to just lay on the floor, especially during my second pregnancy."

"I'd just be laying on the side so I could get through it most days," Linley said.

That's where long jumper Gary Honey came in. He markets a product called Sportstim, which Daniel and Linley now swear by.


"I'll admit I was cynical but that fact that it works and I can put it on and still function with my kids was fantastic," Linley said.

If the Sportstim looks familiar, that's because it is an upgraded, athletic-strength version of the electro-pulsing Paineze machines which have reportedly given relief to people with chronic pain. They've been backed by leading physiotherapists.

"Sportstim basically increases blood flow to the muscle by electrical impulses into the affected area," Gary Honey said.

The new version is strong and is specifically designed to help athletes recover quickly from injuries. It's also designed to treat longer-term sports-related complaints.

But the product isn't just for professional sportspeople, as amatuer footballer Daneil Carocci explains.

"A couple of months ago I was training and I felt this pain in my calf," Mr Carocci said.

He had strained a muscle and experience told him it could be a season-threatening injury. He says the Sportstim ended those fears.

"I thought I was like out for four weeks," Mr Carocci said. "I was back the next week."

Linley Frame says the best thing about the tiny machine is that she can wear it to treat her pain while doing other things - which is vital for a busy mum.

"As an athlete you're completely selfish - you drop everything and look after yourself and fix your body," Linley said. "But as a mum you don't have that luxury."

"You have to keep doing what's expected and what needs to be done around the house. You don't have that luxury of taking the time out."

Both Daniel Kowalski and Linley Frame say they were proud to represent their country, and wouldn't change a thing despite the pinches and pains. But at least with this tiny contraption, their retirement from sport is just a little easier.

For further information about Sportstim call 1300 304 883 or go to: www.sportstim.com.au

The product is priced at $115.00 (plus $4.95 for postage and handling).