Over fifteen years of teaching mindfulness for chronic pain, we've worked with people experiencing dozens of different pain conditions. While the neuroscience principles apply broadly, we've seen particularly strong results with these conditions - and we've designed the course content with them specifically in mind:

Musculoskeletal & Joint Conditions

  • Fibromyalgia and widespread pain syndromes
  • Osteoarthritis (particularly spine, hips, knees)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
  • Chronic lower back pain (with or without clear structural cause)
  • Neck and shoulder pain from injury or tension
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Neurological & Nerve Pain

  • Neuropathic pain from diabetes, chemotherapy, or nerve damage
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
  • Post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles pain)
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Migraines and chronic daily headaches
  • Post-stroke pain

Systemic & Chronic Conditions

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Endometriosis - related pain
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)
  • Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome
  • Long COVID-related pain

Post-Injury & Post-Surgical

  • Shorter practices (10 minutes instead of 30)
  • Lying down instead of sitting
  • Stillness over movement or movement instead of stillness – your practice, your way. 
  • Gentle practices instead of movement
  • Simply breathing rather than formal meditation

The flexibility is built in because we understand chronic pain reality …and encourage you to find your own way.

Exclusions with Alternatives

Being clear about what this program isn't designed for helps you make the best choice for your situation. Here's where we draw the boundaries - and what we'd suggest instead.

Active Cancer Pain

If you're currently undergoing cancer treatment or managing cancer - related pain, this program isn't appropriate. Oncology pain management requires specialised medical support we don't provide.

We suggest: Ask your oncology team about pain management programs designed specifically for cancer patients. Many cancer centres offer integrative approaches including mindfulness.

Acute or New Pain (Less Than 3 Months)

If your pain started recently, it's still in the acute healing phase. Mindfulness can help, but you need active medical assessment first to rule out structural issues requiring treatment.

We suggest: Continue working with your GP or specialist to identify and treat the underlying cause. Consider returning to this program if pain persists beyond the normal healing window.

Undiagnosed or Un-Investigated Pain

If you haven't had medical assessment for your pain, that needs to happen before learning to relate differently to it. We work alongside medical care, not instead of it.

We suggest: See your GP or relevant specialist for proper assessment. Once you understand what you're dealing with, this program can complement your treatment plan.

Active Substance Use Disorder

Pain and addiction often occur together, and we have deep compassion for how difficult that combination is. However, this program requires the cognitive capacity to learn new skills, which active substance use disrupts.

We suggest: Prioritise addiction support first. Many of our participants have found this program helpful after establishing stability in their recovery.

Severe, Untreated Mental Health Conditions

Mindfulness can be helpful for depression and anxiety alongside pain, but it's not a substitute for mental health treatment. If you're experiencing active suicidal thoughts, severe depression, psychosis, or acute trauma symptoms, please prioritise specialist mental health care.

We suggest: Work with a mental health professional to stabilise these conditions first. Some participants return to mindfulness training as part of their ongoing recovery.

Still unsure?

The clearest indicator this program is right for you: you've had proper medical assessment, you're receiving appropriate treatment, and you're still living with significant pain that affects your daily life. If that describes you - regardless of your specific diagnosis - this program is designed to help.

  • Has your pain persisted for at least three months despite appropriate medical treatment?

    This suggests your nervous system has developed persistent pain patterns that medical treatment alone may not fully address. Mindfulness directly targets these patterns.

  • Are you experiencing pain related distress, frustration, fear, depression, or anxiety about your pain?

    Pain creates suffering beyond the physical sensation. This program specifically addresses the psychological and emotional dimensions that amplify pain's impact on your life.

  • Are you interested in actively developing skills and exploring patterns of thinking and feeling?

    From Pain to Peace invites you to examine your relationship with thoughts, emotions, pain, and patterns. That examination can be uncomfortable even as it's ultimately freeing – leading to long-term resilience and steadiness.

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If you answered yes to these three questions, this program is likely a good fit, regardless of whether your specific condition appears in our list above.

How to decide: Decision support framework

Talk to Your Doctor

Show them this program information. Most GPs and specialists support mindfulness training as part of comprehensive pain management, but it's helpful to have their input - particularly if you have complex medical conditions or are on significant pain medications.

Consider Your Capacity Right Now

This program requires approximately 30 - 40 minutes of daily practice. If you're in a severe flare - up, experiencing extreme fatigue, or managing a crisis, it might not be the right timing. That's okay - the program runs multiple times per year.

Trust Your Instinct

If something about this program resonates with you, that intuition is worth following. Many participants describe a recognition response: "This is what I need right now." That's often more reliable than any conditions checklist.

Next steps

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