Neural Re-Education: Patient Education to Enhance Movement and Manage Pain

Neural Re-Education (NRE) is an educational tool that was developed to be used in pain management and movement therapy. NRE as a protocol was explored in-depth in Dr Coetzee’s book WHY MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE. NRE is rooted in pain neuroscience education, aiming to help patients better understand and manage their pain and movement dysfunctions.

What is NRE?

NRE is our version of patient education. NRE is the assisted relearning of pain free movement.

As an educational framework and protocol, NRE can assist patients to regain control over their physical health. The core principle of NRE involves three essential steps:

“REMOVE”

Identify and Remove Causes of Dysfunction: We work to uncover the multifactorial causes of your pain, educating and addressing issues at their source.

“RE-MOVE”

Restore Pain-Free Movement: Through targeted joint mobilisation, we help restore natural, pain-free movement or create new, healthier movement patterns and educate on how to maintain them.

“MOVE”

Strengthen Movement Patterns: We provide education around the exercises designed to reinforce these new patterns, improving your overall strength and stability.

Comprehensive Education empowers you with the knowledge to sustain long-term mobility and wellness.

How Does NRE Work in Practice?

Learning to move better and with less pain is key to managing chronic pain effectively. Understanding pain as a concept is essential. Understanding pain as both a sensory and emotional experience - one that is not always proportional to tissue damage - is crucial in pain management.

By applying NRE principles, we can help patients break the cycle of their chronic pain through education. This holistic approach not only helps you overcome movement dysfunctions and chronic pain but also equips you with the tools to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Pain Management & Movement Longevity

Our approach to Pain Management & Movement Longevity focuses on reducing pain and enhancing your ability to move efficiently and comfortably throughout your life. We combine various evidence-based therapies and techniques to address both acute and chronic pain, helping you maintain mobility and quality of life as you age. Education about these concepts is essential.

Chiropractors are trained in a variety of techniques, allowing them to create individualised plans that target your specific needs. This comprehensive approach assists not only pain relief but also long-term movement sustainability.

Disclaimer:

Neural Re-Education (NRE) is a proprietary term and treatment protocol developed by Dr. Cuan Wayne Coetzee. While NRE is grounded in established principles of pain neuroscience education and movement therapy, the specific methodology, combination, and application of these concepts within the NRE framework are unique to Dr. Coetzee's practice and intellectual property.

This approach has been developed through extensive clinical experience, rigorous analysis of current research, and observed patient outcomes. It continues to evolve in tandem with advancements in pain science, chiropractic care, and movement studies. NRE, as described in Dr. Coetzee's practice, publications, and educational materials, represents his personal interpretation and application of broader scientific principles. It is not a standardised medical protocol, nor is it currently trademarked or patented. The information provided about NRE is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individuals seeking treatment should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Results may vary, and the efficacy of NRE may differ based on individual circumstances.

© 2024 Dr. Cuan Wayne Coetzee. All rights reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of the NRE concept or associated materials is prohibited.

References:

GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. (2020). "Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019," The Lancet.

Moseley GL, Butler DS. Fifteen years of explaining pain: The past, present, and future. The Journal of Pain. 2021.

Louw A, et al. The efficacy of pain neuroscience education on musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of the literature. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2016.

Stochkendahl MJ, et al. Manual therapy with or without physical exercise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Manual Therapy. 2020.

Chou, R., et al. (2017). "Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline," Annals of Internal Medicine.

Geneen, L. J., et al. (2017). "Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews," Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Abbott, J. H., et al. (2016). "Exercise therapy, manual therapy, or both, for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials," Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.

Busse, J. W., et al. (2017). "Guideline for opioid therapy and chronic noncancer pain," CMAJ.