Welcome

 I have the dubious acclaim of having over 25 years of experience of being a ‘punter’ of back/neck pain therapies! I have navigated and survived the maze of treatments on offer within the NHS and privately in the UK and whilst living in the US and Japan. Using these experiences, I hope to suggest ways in how you can take hold of your own recovery from back/neck pain using simple techniques and well-respected therapies. Alongside this, I suggest a new direction for NHS back care in this country along with areas of research focus which would be helpful to patients and doctor’s alike. The patient/doctor relationship is also explored with suggestions for an individualised care plan agreed between them. Chronic pain is discussed in terms of factors which can affect it. I am completely independent and has nothing to ‘sell’. My sole wish is for better care for back/neck pain sufferers!

“I have spent much of my adult life searching for the solution to continued back/neck pain and spasms which have affected many aspects of my life. Over the last three years I feel I have found the ‘needle in a haystack’ that is significant recovery from pain and disability thus enabling me to enjoy a new beginning to my adult life. I believe the answers are out there for many people, it’s just that they take some finding!”.

You can find a summary of all my articles under the ‘ARTICLE SUMMARY’ tab as well as listed under ARTICLES. Further thoughts/blogposts as I  progress through my own recovery and also news to do with the blog can be found under the ‘POSTS’ tab.

My other experiences in life include; working as an engineer on an oil refinery, researching in chemical laboratories commercially and at university (I have a PhD in an engineering subject), working in a bank, seafarers club, schools, pubs and restaurants. I am also a proud mum of two and is married to a very supportive husband!

(Sarah does not have a medical background so it is emphasised that her blog is the result of her experiences and listening to others only. Before doing any of the suggestions contained in her blog, check with your doctor if you have any concerns on how they may affect you)

“No one should suffer pain which makes you question your resolve to survive – it can be different!”

20 thoughts on “Welcome”

  1. Lee Kaplanian

    Hello Sarah,

    I have been writing my blog for about 2 years and have found that sharing what I am learning and experiencing helps me and I hope will be of benefit to others. My pain is Rheumatoid Arthritis but there is much commonality with chronic pain and chronic illness. Keep writing and see where it leads, the people who need what you have to say will find you. I have lately been writing about my Mom and dementia and how it is effectng the RA.

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  8. Sam Fairhurst

    Sarah,

    Thanks for sharing your experiences, this post will definitely be helpful for people like yourself that suffer with back pain. I really do feel for those who suffer from back pain as it truly is one of the worst pains a person can endure. The fact that you become unable to perform simple routine tasks that you could do without thinking about not only causes physical pain, but emotional distress too.

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  9. Samantha

    Thank you Sarah for sharing your experiences and helping relate to so many people out there going through similar experiences. It is comforting for people to know that they are not alone in what they are going through.

    “No one should suffer pain which makes you question your resolve to survive – it can be different!” – This quote says it all!

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  11. barkeriain

    Hi Sarah, absolutely agree – the answer to chronic back pain is out there for many people. Took me years but I live pain-free now. Taking control of the situation yourself is key!

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  13. Brendan

    Hi Sarah, I’m glad you have been able to find ways to get relief. I’ve decided (after about 5 years of suffering) to be really proactive about my own pain. So I am reading stuff all over the web – which is how I stumbled across your blog. Sadly, not everyone gets relief. Sadly, they can also spend a lot of money looking for relief. I’ve spent a bit on physios over the last couple of years and the results have been mixed – dry needling gives me good short term relief.
    I thought that your idea of how doctors manage this kind of topic is well worth more discussion. I live in Australia, we have a very good medical system, but I have had quite different experiences with my doctors.
    To be totally honest, the pain had been wearing away at me for so long it was actually detrimental to my overall mental health. I think that is a real danger for chronic pain sufferers. A lot of mental energy is exhausted just coping with the pain. Anyway, I didn’t feel all that good when the first doctor I saw basically threw me out of his office for wasting his time. It took a few more visits to different doctors, and I have found one who is really good.
    I’ve now had some ultrasounds which have shown that the tendons in my shoulder are all messed up, and this has caused all sorts of back problems. Now I’m getting steroid injections with the possibility of some surgery to clean up the tendons. I had to admit to being a little disappointed that the physios that I saw didn’t recommend that I get scans or refer me to a doctor, and that the first doctor I saw was so dismissive.
    I’m glad you are taking a kind of systematic approach to this kind of carer-patient relationship, as this is almost as important as knowing the actual medical side of things as well!

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  14. Dr. Jason Hurst

    Sarah, first off, thanks for your effort and time to in creating such a helpful website. As a doctor and owner of my own website, I do know and understand the time that must be put in. I’m so glad that you have found relief. I suffered from chronic back pain for more then a decade, the exact reason I chose to become a doctor. I couldn’t find answers or pain relief, so I spent the next 10 years creating my own back treatment. It was the first time I ever was completely pain free since I was a teenager. You learn a lot during the process, sounds like you could certainly relate. I have bookmarked your website for future reference. I would love to cover you on my website if you find time and interest. Thanks Sarah and best of luck with your new sense of renewal. God bless.

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  15. Dave

    Hi Sarah
    You are a brave and determined person. Those who have suffered chronic pain know how totally draining it can be. Good on you for contributing to the collective knowledge around back pain. I spent some years in my early 20s debilitated by ankylosing spondilitis and wish I knew then what I know now about the problem. Keep sharing.
    Kind regards
    Dave

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  16. Jennifer

    Hi I stumbled upon your blog after researching about back pain. I suffer from back pain often times, mainly on the entire right side. They say that it is scoliosis but I am yet to find it out. Thanks so much for showing the courage and I wouldn’t be inspired to fight through this haven’t I have read this. Hope all is well with you. Cheers!

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