“I am transferring the teachings to the people around me, and for the first time in my life, I am taking care of myself!”

“I found the class to be very useful. It has helped me with my pain issues and allowed me to be more mindful during the day.”

“I’m not so reactive to situations or people. I realize I now have more compassion… and am kinder and more forgiving to myself.”

“It brought my emotions to the surface so I could better deal with them.”

“It helped me with stress and anxiety provoking situations to quiet my mind and calm my body.”

is an 8-week course developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD at the University of Massachusetts, which utilizes many principles of mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and increase overall levels of wellness and mental and physical health.

Register for the course and to learn more about this program and the BAPWC’s instructor Shaylin Ebert.

“To me painting is more forgiving than life, if I make a mistake, I can go back and paint over problem areas.”

“Art alters my perception of myself, it puts a silver lining in my life.”

“Art heals and empowers me.”

“Art therapy provides a tool to seek answers, convey thoughts and to communicate ideas and emotions.”

“My art tells a story I couldn’t tell any other way.”

“When I finish a project or a painting, I feel especially peaceful.”

“I don’t always have to think about what I’m creating or the pain I’m in.”

“My paintings allow me to see a different perspective of myself.”

“Because art gives me the same feeling of accomplishment and reward I used to feel working as an engineer, my self-esteem gets a boost.”

“Art therapy keeps my mind in the moment in a healthy positive way.”

“Art therapy has helped me to communicate emotions that I am not able to express in any other way.”

Register for the course, learn more about this program and the BAPWC’s instructor Christine Hirabayashi.

Learn more about the Functional Restoration Program (FRP) program.

I was employed with PW Supermarket for 18 years as a Meat/Deli Clerk. On April 9, 1999 I fell at work, the outcome of my fall was a tear in my disc at the L5-S1 level. After putting surgery off for a year I finally gave in and had a L5-S1 fusion. I was pain free for six months then the pain gradually started coming back. In January of 2001, I was referred to Dr. John Massey, and he suggested the Functional Restoration Program. I was scared to no end. I couldn't handle being up for 4 hours at a time much less 6 hours. The program coordinator, fought for a year and a half to get authorization so I could start the program. I started the program on November 1st 2002 and graduated 8 weeks later.

The Functional Restoration Program taught me so many tools to use to help me cope with my pain successfully. The biggest challenge of all was learning to listen to my body, pace myself and say "No" to others and myself. By the time I left the program, I had it pretty well mastered. When you live with chronic pain, it is really hard to feel good about yourself and keep your head up. I really hope that the people at FRP know what an impact they made in my life. I can now look in the mirror and actually like whom I see. I owe FRP my life because without it I wouldn't be where I am today. It's been five years since I was injured, and I returned to work in 2003 and have worked full time ever since. What a fantastic feeling!!

Sandy is now a Certified Personal Trainer at the Functional Restoration Program. Her FRP diploma is hanging on the wall. Please, stop by and say hello to her when you are in our office.

The day Jeff Gilman’s world came crashing down on him, his Harley Davidson motorcycle turned out to be a lot safer than his job. Hurt while loading and unloading car parts, Jeff was left with multiple disc bulges in his back between L2 and S1, a disc tear at L4, disc degeneration in his neck from C3 to C6, and a pinched nerve at C4. Jeff also had a torn bicep tendon & muscle and humerus cysts in his shoulder.

This led to back and shoulder surgeries followed by physical therapy and steroid injections, both of which did little to ease his pain.

Eventually, Jeff found himself at a crossroads. He could surrender to medications and let his chronic pain become the compelling force in his life. Or he could channel his energy into learning how to manage his pain.

“They gave me my life back” Working in a group setting with others suffering from chronic pain, Jeff dedicated himself to an extensive daily regimen of physical strengthening, movement & balance training, psychology & pain education, vocational counseling, and various wellness approaches.

Since graduating from the Functional Restoration Program, Jeff Gilman has turned his life around. No longer on medications, Jeff is back on his Harley, riding it to and from work at his new job. He has also gone back to one of his other favorite pastimes, playing golf.

Ever thankful for his FRP experience, Jeff continues to stop by the Bay Area Pain & Wellness Center to say hello and get caught up. “After all,”he says, “they gave me my life back.”

Read more about Jeff's success in this brochure here.

At the age of 20, Jenny was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy. As you can imagine, she was devastated to hear the diagnosis and couldn't imagine being in pain the rest of her life.

Over the past five years, Jenny has tried acupuncture, pain medications, steroids, epidural & nerve block procedures, physical & water therapy, bed rest, heat & ice, and numerous arthritis drugs many of which she had allergic reactions to. In fact, one reaction to the arthritis drugs was severe enough to put her in the hospital for a week and another gave her a painful ulcer. Before starting the program, Jenny was taking morphine and Vicodin on a daily basis.

While in the Functional Restoration Program, Jenny learned strength and aerobic training along with stretching, tai chi, yoga and art therapy. She also learned how to pace herself and with her group participated in psychological and medical lectures. Jenny was very skeptical about her ability to participate in the strengthening and exercise program but was surprised when she found herself excelling in this part of the program.

Since graduating from the Functional Restoration Program, Jenny has said, "I've been told that I smile more and seem more relaxed and happy. I wish so much that I had known about the program when I was diagnosed."

The Functional Restoration Program not only helped Jenny physically, but also emotionally. "I formed a special bond with the people in my group. They were like a second family to me, and we continue to keep in touch and offer each other support. Going into the program I never would have thought that I would not only come away feeling better, but also making such great friends who know what it's like to be in pain. We really understand each other."

"I'd like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be here. Thank you Dr. Massey. Dr. Massey gives me not only medical treatment but also mental support. Thank you to all the staff for giving me a great training to help me to go through my difficult time. Thank you all my groups for accompanying  me with warm support. I have learned a lot of therapy skills. These will help me to have a healthy and positive life forever. Above all, the training. I appreciate most on how to control the pain and pacing on my daily activities. During these six weeks of training I have met a lot of wonderful people. Here, I give my thanks to all of you."