Chronic Back Pain: What Next When Standard Advice Fails with Amber Kyliuk

"When you live with pain, the first thing you want is your pain gone. The pain might lessen, it might not but let’s figure out how to get back into life and have that energy." In this episode of The Conditions for Recovery Podcast Amber Kyliuk who has lived with persistent low back pain for 12 years shares her story of figuring out what she could do next once conventional treatment had failed. Amber was teaching a yoga class for people living with back pain but couldn’t improve her own pain with the standard advice so she began delving more deeply into pain science. Amber now works with other people experiencing pain and she’s back to living life enjoying many of the activities she loves such as cycling, skiing, hiking and strength training. Amber shares insight that only people who bridge the gap between clinician and person living with pain can. In this episode: - Pain Is Real Tests Are Just One Part of a Bigger Picture: Persistent symptoms are genuine, disruptive and life changing regardless of what your scans or tests show. - The Way We Talk About Pain Can Help or Harm: Language shapes beliefs and oversimplified messages can cause self doubt or blame. - Recovery Needs to be Individualised: One size fits all healthcare is a missed opportunity. Care always needs to respond to the person, not just the diagnosis. - Living Well Matters More Than Chasing Perfect: The goal is not just reducing pain but rebuilding confidence, function and a meaningful life alongside it. - Small Steps Build Lasting Change: Noticing cues early, pacing and doing the work gradually prevents huge variability whilst supporting long term recovery. Unfortunately, due to pretty heavy technical issues the quality dropped on the section of the recording from 28:23 - 41:42. During this segment, we also discussed: - Shifting from traditional treatments to understanding mind body approaches. - The common mistake of pathologising normal discomfort - How emotional stress can trigger real pain without causing physical tissue damage. - How small victories help you get your life back through confidence building. Connect with Amber: Website: https://criticalmovementyyc.ca Substack: https://criticalmovementyyc.substack.com Pain Literacy Course: https://critical-movement-yyc.systeme.io Connect with the Show: Links: www.paincoaching.co.uk/links Follow: @SpecialistPainPhysio BOOK YOUR FREE 30-MIN CONSULTATION WITH GEORGE: https://www.paincoaching.co.uk/consultation Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional or personal clinician before making any decisions about your medication, treatment or approach to your health.