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PainPilates

Gift ideas for someone with chronic pain

Buying a gift for someone living with persistent pain can feel really difficult.  You want something that shows you’ve thought of them but you really don’t know what they need.  I can help.  As a pain therapist and someone who has overcome their own chronic pain struggles, I have a pretty good idea of what people want, but also what they need when they might not know it.  Here are some of my suggestions.

If you are living with chronic pain then please feel free to share this page with a loved one to drop a massive hint!

Articles

Here is my list of what I think would be really helpful for anyone going through a chronic pain struggle right now.  They are all items I have used, tried and tested that can bring comfort and hope.  The books provide pain education which bring a sense of empowerment over your symptoms. You start to understand your symptoms better and fear them less.  Remember that fear amplifies pain and education and empowerment reduces fear and gives you back control.  All are backed by up-to-date science.

I’ve also included some Pilates equipment because we know that movement is medicine, motion is lotion and all that.  Gentle pilates or yoga can help build strength and confidence in a body you’ve lost trust with.

Finally I include some equipment that has helped me personally through my back pain journey.

I hope you find something.

Books

Healing Back Pain by Dr John Sarno

Dr John Sarno is the pioneer of the mind-body approach to healing chronic pain.  His books have literally helped millions overcome their chronic symptoms.  Some people claim to have healed just from reading his books.  Even if you don’t have back pain this book will help if you substitute the words ‘back pain’ for your symptoms.  To be honest, any of his books will help and I like the ones below. Click links below.

Healing back pain

The Mind Body Prescription

Chronic Pain, Your Key to Recovery – Georgie Oldfield

Georgie is a Physiotherapist in the UK who went over to the USA to learn Dr John Sarno’s approach and brought it here to the UK.  She has set up the SIRPA organisation with whom I have done training.  Her book explains the mind-body / TMS symptoms really well.  She also includes in the Annexes some actionable steps such as journaling. At the end she includes many success stories from people who have healed using this approach from a variety of symptoms. Click link below.

Chronic pain your key to recovery 

The Way Out by Alan Gordon

Alan Gordon suffered from his own back pain and worked with both Dr John Sarno and Dr Howard Schubiner.  His book is a practical, evidence based guide to overcoming chronic symptoms.  Click link below.

The Way Out

Mind your Body by Nicole Sachs

Nicole worked alongside Dr John Sarno in treating people with chronic symptoms.  She has a very good podcast called The Cure for Chronic Pain.  Her book is great at explaining the science behind the approach, she scatters in some success stories who have healed from a variety of conditions such as POTS, Interstitial Cystitis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme, IBS, migraine, back and neck pain and many many more.  She explains how she uses Journal Speak which is a targeted, expressive writing tool to help clients achieve physical and emotional healing.

Mind Your Body

From Pain to Power By Narinder Sheena

Narinder recovered from debilitating chronic pain using the SIRPA approach. Narinder was a lawyer and suffered back pain during Covid.  She was at a loss of what to do until she found Georgie Oldfield at SIRPA.  She now coaches others in pain using the SIRPA approach and is a friend and colleague.  She is particularly interesting in helping neurodiverse individuals overcome chronic pain.

From Pain to Power

The Pain-free MINDSET by Dr Deepak Ravindran

Dr Deepak Ravindran is an NHS pain consultant who realises the importance of a holistic approach to pain management.  His MINDSET book is split into sections Medicine, Interventions, Neuropathy of pain, Diet, Sleep, Exercise and Therapy.  He was actually the inspiration behind the BEAT Pain Approach.  Click link below.

The pain free MINDSET

Pilates equipment

In my BEAT Pain Circle Membership I offer weekly Pilates online and we often use these simple in-expensive pieces of equipment to enhance our workout.  They are really easy to use and I have some videos on my Youtube channel to help you.  Use links below.

Exercise mat

The Pilates ball

The Pilates Ring

Resistance Bands

Reistence loops

Hand weights 

Equipment to aid relaxation

I swear by my Shakti Mat which is a mat of spikes! Yeah I know, it sounds horrendous but it’s like carpet bombing your acupressure points.  It does take some getting used to and you can start with wearing a t-shirt, but once you settle in, your muscles start to relax because they realise that by relaxing you encounter less pain.  I’ve actually fallen asleep on mine!  I wouldn’t however recommend for someone with a condition like Fibromyalgia, because it could potentially overpower the sensory system.

Shakti Mat 

A massage gun for those annoying muscle knots in hard to get to places.  Link here

Heating pads can bring comfort and warmth to a painful area.  The warmth will also increase blood flow to aid healing.  Here’s a link to a heating pad

The perfect gift = show of support

People with chronic pain don’t need you to fix them but they do need support and understanding.  Anything that will calm down the nervous system will help.  If you would like more personal advice then please just ask.

If you are suffering with chronic pain then please share this page with a loved one as a big hint!!!

All links here are to Amazon for ease of shopping and they use my affiliate links, so I may get some pennies.  I really appreciate your support to a small business.