People from all walks of life have discovered the life-changing benefits of self-managing pain effectively

I would encourage everyone with chronic pain to complete this course. There is nothing difficult or completely new, just plain common sense suggestions presented in a well formatted and uplifting manner. If it can make me see housework as a form of exercise instead of a chore it can help anyone.

I have really enjoyed this course. Once I got started, I was hooked! It has given me so many positive things to think about instead of negative feelings, particularly now, in the middle of this Corona 19 pandemic. I admit the thought of another lock-down, which we are about to start, has made me feel somewhat depressed, but I am learning not to worry about things that you cannot change, just follow the rules,and try to do what you CAN do. The Meditation Video (Step 13) was so relaxing that I was on the point of falling asleep! I would recommend to anyone starting this course, follow it to the end!

I did finish the course & some bits are new to me so thank you for doing this. I will try to do new things to improve my care. Regards Micky

Hi thank you for all your advice and suggestions on how to make a my life a bit better. It's early days yet but I will continue to do as you advise with, and with some luck and a lot of effort I hope to improve. Thank you again, let see what happens in the next few weeks

This course has enabled me to look at my everyday life as stepping stones to a more positive outlook, through self awareness and ability, showing how to see pain not as a barrier, but as a part of my life as a whole, therefore allowing me to recognise ways to reduce pain through activity and exercise. This is a well thought out course, which demonstrates effective processes to reducing pain and therefore regaining some everyday enjoyment. I am using some of the processes on a daily basis which is resulting in sporadic improvements that enable me to carry out tasks previously out of my reach. Even on my worse days I am still able to use relaxation methods, which in turn is red ing my anxiety, even if just a little. Sleep still evades me, but with time I am hoping the examples shown in the course will be of benifet to me. This course could be beneficial to many people, but having an open mind is crucial to its success and prolonged usefulness. Some of the articles were already known to me, however seeing them as part of a whole programme made me aware of how better to use them in my daily activities It is important to recognise that this course is in no way a cure to pain and the effect it has on the mind and body, but it is a start and if used to its full potential, it can make life so much easier and pleasurable.

Very good approach to pain management, well put together and explains why sometimes when you are in chronic pain it is important to look forward and just because you are in pain, you are not causing any further damage to the affected area. The different ways of helping yourself to manage and deal with your pain are well explained and guide you into how they do help you. You are also helped to cope with bad days/flare ups, etc and that it is ok to have bad days. You are encouraged to share your feelings, good and not so good, with those around you, especially family and get them to understand how you feel and why. The programme is well designed and follows logical steps for long term, chronic pain sufferers, by explaining how the body and brain deal with chronic pain. It is a good programme and well worth completing as you do see pain management from different angles. Thanks for the opportunity of doing this Pathway Through Pain programme and I would encourage anyone who is invited to do the course, to complete it, as it is well worth it.

Thank you for the course. It has been very helpful.

I loved the meditation and exercises but can’t help thinking the course was not really focused on knee pain but more on back and other pain - however enjoyed the course and glad I took part - thank you - Jackie

A very helpful course that gave me the tools to manage my pain and the confidence that I can live a normal life.
Thank you all very much.

Found the course very interesting as it explains the the many things that can trigger pain and the many exercises that I can do to help with my everyday pain. Also, changing the way we think it won’t happen over night, it will take time. I hope that there will come a time when I can get back to some sort of normality by understanding how to manage the pain more, not by pushing myself too soon and ending up back at the beginning. It’s a lot to take in but I’m going to keep at it. I’ve wrote each step on paper so I can relate to the page I want to do. I may have done the course in less time than was given but it’s not been rushed - I’m not very good at writing things on paper so now I can maybe go back to my pages and have a good think now and write what I need to put so I can understand it all more if that makes sense. I’m feeling a lot better in myself cos I think you realise you're not the only one who has pain, there are thousands of people in the same way, and it’s courses like this that make you think differently cos I suppose the way we think has a lot to do with it. Thank you very much for your time in helping me to understand this. Thank you, take care and stay safe.

Doing this course has helped, I've enjoyed the relaxation videos and watch them often, I know that my conditions are not going to go away but, I am trying to think differently. I have found the course interesting and able to do it in my own time has been good.

I was very sceptical about this course at first but am really pleased that I stuck with it and completed the whole course. I have gained some onsite into the reasoning behind some pains and now have a bank of ideas to help me cope in different situations. Working through the couse online had its pros & cons. Mostly pros for me as I also suffer with chronic fatigue and anxiety, it was helpful being able to pause and finish the videos later or revisit later if I got too tired. I also didnt have the added anxiety of having to leave the house or talk to strangers. The only down side of working alone online is that there is no one to ask questions of or clarify things to match them to my own situation and pain. The email reminders have been great to keep me motivated to continue the course.

The techniques I have learned on this course are invaluable and life changing. They have encouraged me to change many things in my life. I make more effort to improve my sleep, to be mindful and relax more, to include fun things into each day and to pace myself. I have included some seated yoga exercise videos several times a week, they seem to be a good way of motivating me to do the required stretches. I am learning to reign myself in on good days so I don't overdo it and cause a flare up. I have learned that stress is one of my biggest triggers for pain which surprised me. Best of all I have whole days now with no pain, this was unimaginable at the start. Although the course is presented through recorded videos it has made me feel supported and encouraged. I had reached a point where I knew I had to do something about my pain levels as they were having such a negative impact on my whole life. Although my doctors have been kind there has been little they could do to help me. The techniques I have learned have been empowering and I feel a real sense of achievement completing the course. It is a big challenge taking responsibility for your own pain management but very worthwhile.

I did find the advice provided on this course very helpful and beneficial and would recommend it to any one suffering from long term painful conditions.

I enrolled on the course because the opportunity to take part in a NHS course wasn't possible due to the Pandemic. I logged in quite frequently and appreciated almost all the advice, however I am only just up to speed with the stretching but am definitely seeing benefit and will try and continue them indefinitely. I think the course is excellent value for money being comparable with just one physical treatment. Being able to continue to access all the downloadable resources permanently especially the meditation exercises will prove most beneficial. I am glad I undertook the course but realise that I still have a long way to go and really hope that I will be in an even better place when I report back next month. Thank you.

I would recommend this course as it is very helpful

I have just completed the pain management course online. It took me a while as l didn't some times feel like doing it. I'm glad l have done this, it has helped me with not to punish myself for not being able to do the activities l want to do or house work etc, negative thoughts don't help you, be kind to yourself. l personally pat my self on the back and say well done. The exercises, stretches and medications are great as l have trouble switching off. l say give it a go you - have nothing to lose.

I have found the course very helpful and interesting. And I would recommend it .

Stick with the course, I found it helpful and it did make me think more positive about my pain although didn’t stop it. The stretching exercises are brilliant, do the ones you can do. I definitely recommend completing the course.