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

At the beginning, it felt like I was clutching at straws, a case of "I'll try anything once!" But then some of the ideas and practices began to make sense and I persevered. Sometimes, the questionnaires can seem a bit simplistic, asking the same questions time after time, or can feel irrelevant to one's personal situation. The only advice I can give is PERSEVERE! After a time I began to accept that there was no magic remedy and my pain was not going to disappear. It was down to me and how much I cared about the quality of my life going forward. The program has given me tools to work with; some didn't work for me so I set them aside, but some did and, just like with any new skill, it takes practice. So that's what I do everyday - practice. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard, but slowly it begins to be worth it - after all that hard work, pain does become more manageable. So really, all the advice I can give is don't give up, don't give in, persevere - you're worth it!

To people with chronic pain: I am so sorry you suffered this program. Know you are not alone and people do care about you, whether you can function or not. We matter, our pain is real, there are people who will listen to you so I implore you, don't give up. You will find them and they will help you. In the meantime, use citizens advice, buy that walker, ask your gp for mobility help at home. Accept any help for getting around, this is not how your life ends. You deserve to be here just as much as everyone else.

Wow considering I was extremely reluctant and I said nope nope, I glad that after a little persuasion I did it over time and slowly to make things sink in a bit. Don't get me wrong I'm still struggling but hey ho that's life, but greatful on one or two of the tips I didn't even think of before. but though some things are basic knowledge, I was surprised that there was one or two things that were quite helpful and took on board shall stick with me. Thank you

Total waste of time

Thank you for the insights you have given me into pain management. I found the psychological aspects of this program to be very interesting; learning that pain does not mean damage is healing in itself. I found the last questionnaire rather difficult as it just so happens that I had cataract surgery 12 days ago which coloured my pain threshold differently. I have had severe dry eye syndrome , and I tried hard to do the questionnaire relating it to my Rheumatoid and MSK symptoms rather than the nasty eye discomfort. It has been useful to use the relaxation techniques for both areas of pain. The whole Pathway has given me much more confidence about coping with my physical difficulties. I somehow have also felt much less alone. I took longer than a month to complete the program but filled a notebook with notes all the way through it. My pathway was interrupted by Granny duties in the summer holiday, on-going oncology appointments and our own holiday, but I hold you on high esteem for putting together such a good, helpful and reassuring on-line program. Well Done and thank you. 

The Pathway Through Pain programme has had a significant effect on the way I am able to manage my lower back problem. I now expect setbacks to occur occasionally and I am not put off by them. I have a repertoire of new and effective techniques which help me to manage my condition on a daily basis as well during a crisis. I have started a weekly Pilates mat work course and have incorporated some of the techniques into my daily exercises. Most importantly to me is I have started to get back into my main leisure activities (walking and canoeing) and am learning how best to adapt my approach to build up tolerance.

Unfortunately I didn't find it helpful for my illnesses, I have a lot of different issues causing me pain and depression. So I'm sure the program is good for those who can move and enjoy life, but I don't have such a luxury. Takes me a whole day to get the basic tasks done. I was hoping for a fix of my problems to some degree that's why I stayed with it but I feel it just wasn't the right program for me

The program gave me coping mechanisms to help relieve my symptoms, stress & understand my condition. I was fully into program & it helped, but due to family bereavement towards the end I l did less of the daily tasks, hence my condition progressing. I know I will be coming back to the program again & I’m well focused on achieving more. This program did help & has been encouraging to do.

Accessible and well pitched program. Useful mindfulness techniques and gentle stretches. Degrees of pain are so vastly different for people that I'm unsure of the level of effectiveness of this self help initiative in general, but I guess doing something is better than doing nothing!

At first I was hesitant about doing this program, thinking how will an online program teach me ways to manage my pain, but I was determined to give it a go. I'm glad I did as I tried the techniques provided throughout the program. It made me push myself out of my comfort zone. Although I'm still in constant pain, I will continue to try techniques.

I was impressed by the professional, well organised approach to pain management on this program.

Helpful

 It is a brilliant program and would highly recommend it to anyone.

I think the program is excellent. For someone with recent onset of pain, it is probably invaluable. However, I have had my pain for over 30 years and I have been doing most of the things on the Programme, during this time so there is very little change for me. I shall continue to go through the library in the hope that there is something I might have missed or tweak something that affects me in a positive way. Thank you all so very much for your advice.

Very helpful.

Good balanced program, especially liked the meditations

This program is great to help support and understands how our lives are impacted upon daily with our challenges and limitations that occur. The lessons, questions, videos and relaxation techniques are great to try and provide variety. It is good to refresh your knowledge if you have struggled for many years and try new things that can be a pleasant surprise.

I’m so glad that I came across this program and found it very helpful.Thank you for all the help I’ve been given in understanding pain.

I found the program really good, it is the first time that someone has given me helpful ways to manage my mind set when the pain is bad ie how am I supposed to manage pain for the rest of my life , just changing my mind set to get through the day and see what tomorrow holds. The relaxation program was brilliant and since doing this program, I have used it in the middle of the night when I was trying to sleep and it worked . I have tried to come off my medication but unfortunately that hasn’t happened but instead I have cut down so when I have a flare up I can just go up my medication instead of taking stronger medication. The stretching has definitely helped in the mornings with getting up and moving around. Which goes for the light exercises . My main problem was Pacing but that has got so much better as I set out three goals it might be dusting bedroom, hoovering bedroom and sorting out washing I will start dusting, if I need to sit I sort out clothes , I finish dusting after putting clothes away then I will hover bedroom and before it becomes an issue I have paced and achieved my goals for the day. Some time it will take longer so make the goals achieve able but then make them really easy as you feel better doing the tasks and spending the day mopping about what you lost and what you can’t achieve this will bring you down and then it is harder to get up also the pain is a lot worse . Before starting on this program, I was ln a lot of pain because I kept pulling my tendons as I was so stiff and worried that I would damage my self .By Stretching and moving this has really helped and doing relaxation techniques has stopped myself from being so stiff which all round has lessened the pain . Thank you

I had read several books, attended pain management classes and engaged with physiotherapy but I felt a bit overwhelmed with all the bits of advice from all quarters. But when I went through this absolutely excellent programme I was so pleased to have somewhere to bring everything together. I can now engage with all of the sessions all over again and continue to write in the journal on a daily basis. I cannot praise this programme enough.

This program has definitely helped me to understand the need to have coping techniques for pain management. Not only exercises & stretches to alleviate the pain & stiffness, but meditation & mindfulness to distract your thoughts away to a quiet and peaceful head space. Also, it is good to learn that I don't have to carry on exercising regardless, but that I can cut back when a back pain flair up occurs, so I can recover without feeling guilty, and slowly build back up. The program has given me the tools to cope with pain better and I fully recommend that people take the opportunity to stick with the programme and help themselves to understand that even a small amount of exercise, stretching and meditation will help them relieve their pain.