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

I had spinal surgery (L5/S1 discectomy) in November 2011. Prior to that, I was very active. I played tennis several times a week, went to the gym and in 2008 did the London Marathon. Sport was a really important part of my life. I was hopeful that the surgery would allow me to return to my previous life quickly. This wasn't the case. I had residual nerve pain down the same pathway that was affected before surgery. My standing tolerance and activity level was much improved by the surgery, but I still had pain. However, my main problem was that I had a lot of fear. I was scared that I would do something that would cause the disc to re-prolapse and I didn't want to go through surgery (or the pre-surgery pain levels) again. This pain course has been really helpful for me. It has helped me to understand that the pain I'm feeling now, doesn't equal damage. It's helped me to grow in confidence and to try new things. Last weekend I helped my brother with a large sporting event. I had to stand up for most the day, travel round the course on a quad-bike and walk more than 5K - something I wouldn't have thought I could do well before I started this course. I did it and although I had pain, it was much more manageable than I thought. Prior to the course, on a bad pain day I would simply stop doing things. Now on a bad pain day, I might take a little break but then I carry on. Often when I do, the pain doesn't actually get any worse. I still have work to do! I know that I'm still anxious about damaging my spine again. And that I still worry any time I trip, or do something that requires lifting or twisting. But little by little I see that is getting better. And I hope that I as I keep building on what I have learned that my activity levels will continue to improve. I might never run another marathon but I can be more active than I am now!

I have found the course useful, I especailly like the relaxation sessions. I thought that I knew a lot already as I am a trained therapist but there have been some things which I didn't know or hadn't thought about.

This course has helped me to manage back pain by using relaxation and stretching methods and by pacing activities - thinking about what I am doing and how I can get more out of life but without overdoing it. The course has given me the confidence to reduce the painkiller regime. I am starting to go out more and I hope this progress continues.

I was probably doing  most of the things listed in the course and feel the course would be very helpful to people with more serious problems than my own.  Having said that I found it reassuring to know that I was going the right way about things. It was a positive, interesting and enjoyable course. Thank you all

I would recommend this course to anybody who is computer literate, especially if you have walking difficulties and can’t get to the hospital easily. To be able to do the course at home when it suits you in a calm atmosphere is very rewarding. I liked the relaxation tapes and found them very soothing. Good Luck.

This course was/is fantastic and has had a profound impact on my life. It provided me with all kinds of very useful, relevant and applicable material in a very positive style. I also felt embraced by the programme and surprisingly supported and understood. I cannot praise the course enough and would recommend it to everyone. Thankyou so very much.

i started this course thinking it would not help. I was angry that there was nothing else offered to help me. The emphasis on back pain was at times upsetting as i have pain all over my body, however, anger is good and it made me complete the course. I did find it very helpful, the library is great and yours for a long time. All thats on the library have helped me greatly.

I am coming to terms with living with my pain thanks to this course.

It's worth going all the way through the course, its realy helping me in some ways. I would like to keep doing these sort of courses if I can. thank u thank u thank u

I found the course very interesting and helpful as it taught me to have a different perspective on the way I viewed pain and how to deal with it. I also believe that in comparison with many others I am very fortunate as I am mobile and can go on holiday and travel freely.

The course encouraged me to reflect constructively on my condition. It enabled me to clarify the helpful things that I was doing already but also helped me to identify new areas and actions that would improve my situation. By providing a range of practical steps to change how I think about my pain, the course has made me more confident in my ability to take control of my pain. I am doing more of the things that I enjoy and am optimistic about further progress.

Pathway through Pain online course is very helpful tool in our lives. There is a lot of help from all of these people who create this program. Lots of very interesting and helpful information. Thank You very Much.

I have found this course really helpful and factual and feel that I have benefitted very much from taking part in this and would like to partcipate in further online courses the NHS would do in the future.

I found the course interesting and it also gave me some new ideas on how to cope better with my pain in the future.

So glad I did this course. Has helped me accept my condition and manage my pain so much better. Have my life back. Realise that my push and burn attitude had resulted in my doing less not more. Found the relaxation exercises really benificial. Liked the fact that no miracle cure was offered but lots of coping methods. Was very low after having to accept medical retirement. The course made me realise that pain management was possible and I now have my social life back. Have even had a holiday for the first time in 4 years. Wish I'd been referred to Pathway through Pain years ago.