breathworks-mindfulness.uk info@breathworks.co.uk

1. www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk info@breathworks.co.uk MINDFULNESS FOR HEALTH

2. This presentation Introduction The burden of chronic conditions on society The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness Breathworks as a self-management method What do we teach? Breathworks today, including applications Vision for tomorrow

3. 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer chronic pain (3+ months) In recent ‘Health Survey of England’ = 20 million people in the UK: 31% of men, 37% of women 1 in 5 in Europe suffer moderate to severe chronic pain (2006) 1 in 3 in Norway suffer from chronic pain (Parent /Thirion et al, 2005) Cost in Sweden LBP (direct and indirect) = 20,000 euros per patient per year (2002)

4. The burden of Chronic Pain on Society In USA some 116 million people suffer chronic pain = $635 billion a year Problem worsens as population ages: 57% over 75’s suffer daily pain in UK

5. 2009 Norway Report on Fitness for Work The data presented in this report show that: • Of all the causes of disability and sickness absence in Norway, MSDs account for about a third of them. • MSDs are the most common cause of chronic illness among Norwegians followed respectively by diseases • of the respiratory system and cardiovascular diseases. • Back pain and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) only cost to Norwegian society about • 21 billion Norwegian Krones or 2.4 billion euros. • About 23 per cent of Norwegian workers report work-related back pain. • Back pain accounts for 13 per cent of all sickness leave lasting more than 8 weeks

6. Fit For Work Norway Report, 2009 • About 31 per cent of Norwegian workers report work-related muscular pain • in their neck, shoulders, and/or upper/lower limbs. WRULDs are more • frequently experienced by women aged between 30 and 49 years; • people over 30 years are more likely to present WRULDs compared • to younger ones. • In Norway there are about 31,000 people with RA and 40 per cent of them • receive a work disability pension. • The total cost of RA to Norwegian society has been estimated to be 6.2 billion • Norwegian Krones or 705 million euros, est cost of back pain in 2007 • 1.7 billion Euros • If include all chronic health conditions = epidemic proportions. • Taking up increasing proportion health care spending.

7. In 2008 the Norwegian workers with the highest level of sickness absence are those working in the health care and social services, followed by the ones working in transport and storage (9.7 percent and 7.4 per cent respectively in 2008).

8. Impact of chronic pain Stamina & Resilience Cognitive capacity, concentration & mood Rationality Fatigue Mobility Agility

9. The risk factors for chronic pain • Obesity, height • Spinal abnormalities • Genetic predisposition • Pregnancy • Psychosocial stress/self perception – somatisation, anxiety, depression • Health beliefs:- locus of control, self-efficacy, perception • of disability & expectation • Family stress, somatisation, anxiety, depression

10. This Presentation • The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness • Breathworks as a self-management method • What do we teach? • Breathworks today, including applications • Vision for tomorrow

11. Breathworks Program Gives control back to the individual. Internal locus of control – seek external help appropriately Teaches people to help themselves. The future = cheap and accessible. Overcomes isolation when self-management training is in group settings - either face-to-face or virtual

12. This presentation Introduction The burden of chronic conditions on society The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness Breathworks as a self-management method What do we teach? Breathworks today, including applications Vision for tomorrow

13. Study of Breathworks programme by Human Pain Research Group: University of Manchester and Salford Royal Hospital. Funded by Mind and Life Institute - Varela Award. Published in Clinical Journal of Pain, March 2013 Musculoskeletal pain Evidence that effective at improving self-management

14. Box plots of self-report outcome measures (subtracted scores: session 2 minus session 1) Self-management of pain Mindfulness Perceived control over pain 30 10 20 25 8 20 15 6 15 4 10 10 2 5 0 5 0 -2 -5 -4 0 -10 -6 -15 -5 Intervention group Control group Intervention group Control group Intervention group Control group Helplessness Laser pain unpleasantness Affective clinical pain 2 4 5 1 3 0 0 2 -1 1 -2 -5 0 -3 -4 -1 -10 -5 -2 -6 -3 -15 -7 Intervention group Control group Intervention group Control group Intervention group Control group

15. This presentation Introduction The burden of chronic conditions on society The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness Breathworks as a self-management method What do we teach? Breathworks today, including applications Vision for tomorrow

16. Basic problem = suffering “I DON’T LIKE THIS EXPERIENCE”

17. Mindfulness: Counter-intuitively turn towards experience Investigating what is actually happening in moment With tenderness, care, acceptance, compassion Unpack experience into Primary/Secondary suffering

18. PRIMARY SUFFERING Basic Unpleasant sensations RESISTANCE SECONDARY SUFFERING Mental, emotional & physical reactions

19. Primary suffering Secondary suffering

20. PRIMARY SUFFERING MINDFULNESS HELPS ACCEPT RESISTANCE MINDFULNESS SOFTENS/DISSOLVES SECONDARY SUFFERING MINDFULNESS HELPS REDUCE/OVERCOME

21. METHODS

22. Meditation Body scan Mindfulness of breathing Kindly awareness Mindfulness in daily life = pacing Mindful movement All breath based and WITH gravity

27. Expand awareness to include others and world around you. Overcomes pre-occupation with self and problems Shift from isolation to empathy Explicit cultivation of compassion

28. This presentation Introduction The burden of chronic conditions on society The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness Breathworks as a self-management method What do we teach? Breathworks today, including applications Vision for tomorrow

29. Book published 2008 – in 12 languages

30. 2 x 8 week programmes Delivered in several countries and languages Mindfulness for Health Mindfulness for Stress

31. Online courses with mindfulness center Sweden 10 mins 2 x day over 8 weeks Both ‘solo’ and in virtual groups using ‘voice thread’ Introduction to mindfulness Mindfulness for health

33. People in recovery, carers, asylum seekers So successful participants now trained as ‘mindfulness champions’ Going to prisons, schools etc Projects with Dept of Health UK

34. Work place trial Online course Face-to-face Mixed delivery Projects with Dept of Health UK

35. This presentation Introduction The burden of chronic conditions on society The power of self-management methods such as mindfulness Breathworks as a self-management method What do we teach? Breathworks today, including applications Vision for tomorrow

36. Mindfulness for ‘hard to reach’ populations Book ‘mindfulness for health’ co-written with journalist Danny Penman Released Sept 2013

37. Computer games? Innovative use of technology? Embracing change to spread mindfulness and compassion Anything to ease the burden of suffering on individuals and society

38. Thank you for listening www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk info@breathworks.co.uk