I’m 62 years old from Cornwall, and a former mechanical engineer. When I was 32 I had what I thought was a routine hernia operation. Unfortunately from that day I have suffered chronic pain and prescribed ever Increasing opioids, gabapentin and antidepressants, for the next 25 years. I am now 5 years medication free thanks to distraction and mindfulness techniques along with exercise/movement to manage my pain. I have used the last 5years to tell my story to clinicians and patients advocating SKILLS NOT PILLS