At the age of 17, I was cruising along a rural road when another vehicle crashed into mine head-first; this incident profoundly altered my mental and physical state. Fortunately, none of my bones were fractured, yet my pelvis sustained significant distortion due to the collision, leading to discomfort extending through my spine and neck area. The medical staff at the hospital provided me with tramadol for managing the pain alongside a cervical collar, advising complete rest upon discharge.
In the coming weeks, things became truly difficult, regardless of my efforts to stay optimistic. Insomnia plagued me as I found myself awake multiple times each night, struggling with the discomfort, which only exacerbated the situation. anxiety set in It felt as though I was perpetually in a state of fight-or-flight. The medication I was on was extremely potent, causing my energy levels to plummet significantly.
I found myself in a downward spiral—especially challenging since this occurred right before my A-level exams. Missing out on all of my friends' 18th birthday celebrations only intensified my stress. Despite everything, my mom was incredibly supportive and tried to lift my spirits by preparing my favorite dishes to help restore my energy. However, my hunger had vanished entirely, causing me to lose an impressive amount of weight over roughly four weeks, around one stone.
All the healthcare providers I consulted advised me to refrain from any superfluous movements, yet this only resulted in my joints becoming stiff and immobile, leading the discomfort in the back and neck area worse. After enduring discomfort for three months, I discussed this with my doctor. He then recommended rehabilitative exercises, leading me to discover Pilates — something I had never encountered previously. He mentioned that performing the exercise in its traditional manner would assist with strengthen my core , support my back and alleviate my discomfort.
However, this occurred in West Sussex about 14 years ago when Pilates was not yet widely known. Rather than attending a studio, I visited the hospital bi-weekly for guidance from a physiotherapist during my strength training sessions. In the initial couple of weeks, I did not observe significant changes; however, after that, progress happened quickly, which encouraged me to continue. My discomfort subsided, leaving me overjoyed as I believed I had found a cure. Consequently, I ceased these visits.
Shortly thereafter, I started experiencing flare-ups, thinking that this was typical following an accident, and that managing chronic pain would be part of my future. Even simple activities like walking outside or being on my feet or seated for extended times caused me distress. My journey back from work often involved tears due to the intensity of the pain. A warm bath along with some medication appeared to offer slight relief during these tough moments.
Afterward, I visited a rehabilitation specialist who redirected my journey entirely. Rather than simply giving me additional medication, he emphasized the concept of movement as therapy. This made me realize the importance of staying active and maintaining consistency to manage the pain effectively.
I was subsequently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (A condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own joints causing swelling and discomfort) made simple activities difficult. At that point, I was residing in Switzerland, and the chilly weather caused my hands to balloon up twofold; buttoning clothes or reaching for objects became impossible. My doctors suggested costly weekly treatments involving painful shots, yet this time around, I decided to explore gentler approaches aimed at improving my well-being naturally.
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In my mid-20s at the time, I began incorporating Pilates into my regular workout schedule—anything to help manage the painful episodes. Inspired by a podcast that encouraged listeners to create ideal morning rituals, I reflected on mine and opted to add daily sessions in an infrared sauna, succeeded by a cold shower I had previously used both methods and found them beneficial, however, using them together around four to five days per week appeared to be quite effective, alleviating my joint discomfort.
Studies have shown that Pilates has a major effect on chronic pain , including in a document published the previous year in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , where individuals who engaged in practice an average of three times per week over seven weeks reported "alleviation from pain and enhancement in functional ability."
While you're on the mat, your mind shouldn't wander elsewhere; you should be fully attuned to your physical self. It feels like discovering where I truly belong, which is quite remarkable considering this can happen in your living room wearing just your pajamas.
Currently, the UK is facing a health crisis where about 2.8 million adults are unable to work due to chronic pain. It can be quite intimidating to think about stepping into a gym when your body feels vulnerable, but dedicating as little as 15 minutes each day can make an enormous impact.
Five years back, I never imagined that I would feel like I'm managing my symptoms effectively. Adjusting how I handle exercise, staying committed and regular with it, has resulted in me becoming more robust, fit, and content than at any point in my life.
As shared with Charlotte Lytton
The five-step morning regimen that completely eliminated my pain
6 AM: I'll jot down my emotions before starting the day and spend some time meditating. While not everybody enjoys mornings, I ensure mine begin early with a period of tranquility.
6:45 am: Take a walk lasting approximately one hour to soak up some natural sunlight.
7:45 am: Consume breakfast, typically a protein shake. I ensure not to skip any meals and aim for three main ones plus two snacks daily, generally including proteins, fats, and carbs in each meal.
8 am: Instruct an online class, or proceed to strength-training workout I participate in four Pilates classes weekly and visit the gym two times per week. In all these activities, maintaining proper form is crucial; it’s much more effective to perform fewer exercises correctly instead of getting into uncomfortable postures trying to do more.
8:30 am: Spend 20 minutes in an infrared sauna (typically I use one at the gym) and then take a three-minute cold shower afterward.
Bryony founded P ilates by Bryony
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