Solid concept, but overpromises
I participated in the 12 week Aivo study (stuck around for an extra month), and was excited to do so. I have extensive experience with mindfulness, meditation, CBT, and DBT - and I am a strong believer in the mind/body connection and the importance of delivering tools patients can use to own at least some control of their pain. I used the app 6-7 times/week as instructed, and was very open minded. Unfortunately, while I am 100% behind the concept, the execution has issues.
The lessons were frustratingly short, and offered very little in the way of practical exercises that could be used in real life when it comes to dealing with pain flares. They also seemed to come from an “it’s all in your head” perspective. While there is certainly a strong mind/body connection with chronic pain, it is not helpful to highlight without also stressing how that is *very* different from mental illness. Chronic pain patients are already struggling with invisible disability that is hard to justify and explain to friends and family, and are frequently treated as drug seekers or hypochondriacs by the medical community; so the “it’s all in your head” approach used in some of the lessons takes a complicated relationship and simplifies it in a way that sends the wrong message.
The coaching aspect of the program was almost non existent during my experience. The short, broad spectrum lessons felt very impersonal (many referred specifically to back pain, and my chronic pain is in my ankle), so I had hopes that receiving feedback from the coach would dial in the uniqueness of my pain experience, but it didn’t. Communication was sporadic at best, mostly initiated by me, and tone and style varied enough that I often felt like there was a different person answering me several times. Specific inquiries by me lead to very general responses of things to try like “mindfulness” or “body scans” with no real sense of personalization. And again, nothing concrete I could use to get me through an active flare.
In reflection (and I’ve waited months to leave this review - so it isn’t reactionary) I feel like at best Aivo didn’t help me; and at worst it offered hope that, when unrealized, left me feeling worse than when I started. Chronic pain patients are grasping at straws. They are suffering physically, and have oftentimes been underserved or abandoned by the medical community. This program oversells itself. If you are feeling fragile, or looking for community, I HIGHLY recommend mindfulness, meditation, and mind/body connection strengthening, but would stay away from this program. There are some things you just can’t do through an app.
The lessons were frustratingly short, and offered very little in the way of practical exercises that could be used in real life when it comes to dealing with pain flares. They also seemed to come from an “it’s all in your head” perspective. While there is certainly a strong mind/body connection with chronic pain, it is not helpful to highlight without also stressing how that is *very* different from mental illness. Chronic pain patients are already struggling with invisible disability that is hard to justify and explain to friends and family, and are frequently treated as drug seekers or hypochondriacs by the medical community; so the “it’s all in your head” approach used in some of the lessons takes a complicated relationship and simplifies it in a way that sends the wrong message.
The coaching aspect of the program was almost non existent during my experience. The short, broad spectrum lessons felt very impersonal (many referred specifically to back pain, and my chronic pain is in my ankle), so I had hopes that receiving feedback from the coach would dial in the uniqueness of my pain experience, but it didn’t. Communication was sporadic at best, mostly initiated by me, and tone and style varied enough that I often felt like there was a different person answering me several times. Specific inquiries by me lead to very general responses of things to try like “mindfulness” or “body scans” with no real sense of personalization. And again, nothing concrete I could use to get me through an active flare.
In reflection (and I’ve waited months to leave this review - so it isn’t reactionary) I feel like at best Aivo didn’t help me; and at worst it offered hope that, when unrealized, left me feeling worse than when I started. Chronic pain patients are grasping at straws. They are suffering physically, and have oftentimes been underserved or abandoned by the medical community. This program oversells itself. If you are feeling fragile, or looking for community, I HIGHLY recommend mindfulness, meditation, and mind/body connection strengthening, but would stay away from this program. There are some things you just can’t do through an app.
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Brilliantly life-changing
The science, the research, and the up-close experience with chronic pain all add up to a brilliant and sensitive explication of ”your brain on chronic pain,” and how you can get your life back
This app needs to have an in-app purchase note
This app has in-app purchases. Not sure why it doesn’t have that marked before you download.
Great app
Very helpful to learn about the mind body connection of pain, coach you can text with also great! Easy to use and fun!
Love this app!
This app has the information broken down into small, digestible bites. The coaching and support is stellar. It’s already making a difference in my life. I only wish I could get it on my notebook to make it easier to read.
Learning So Much
I am new to the app and it’s opening my eyes to how it might be possible for me to improve my chronic pain by learning and applying new techniques. I am too new still to evaluate my pain as improved, but I’ve already noticed I have some control of my emotions and thoughts. Following the east steps in the app has already given me a new understanding of my pain, and the science makes sense!! I am excited with the app so far, and am hopeful this is breakthrough for me in lessening my symptoms!
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Great mindset to chronic pain
I am a week into the program and so far I fee like things are better. Positive mindset is so important to
Pain
Pain
Excellent tool for overcoming chronic pain scientifically
I highly recommend this app!
Aivo
This pain management app is helping me to learn how to change the relationship with my pain. I highly recommend it
Love it!
I love that it breaks down the steps into short actionable steps
You must get this app!
Where has this been my whole life?!?! I had only been in day 4 when I noticed a significant difference! I have been dealing with chronic pain and fibromyalgia for over 20 years No one would tell me why I was suffering when they can’t find anything wrong. It got to the point where I didn’t want to live with no quality of life. I knew somewhere, someone had the answers and solution I desperately needed and I began researching, not knowing what exactly I was looking for. Then I found this app. What a game changer. Finally I am on the journey to healing. If this is working for me, I KNOW this will work for other veterans dealing with what I am. This is also helping me with my PTSD, anxiety and depression and giving me hope for the future a gain.
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Is this really me?
I’ve learned a lot today going over this program. I feel with some guidance and help I can make it. Thank you Aivo for being around.
Be inclusive of other types of pain
The app is good at educating the person who does not understand the mind-body connection to pain. I’ve been using the app for two weeks and notice the content of education revolves around back pain only, excluding all other types of pain. I feel excluded since the pain I experience is very different from back pain. Please be more inclusive of other types of pain. Also, the voice narration is slow.
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Exploring pain in a new way
I continue to be educated and enlightened about my chronic pain And discovering new ways to look at it through how my brain works. Kathryn
It’s changing my life
60 days in - pain reduced overall by 30%!!!! Yep. Totally true. I have chronic pancreatitis and endometriosis. Ive had chronic pain for 15 years. Ive tried apps where I track my pain, but I was looking for something better. I even tried to find a doctor that could perhaps understand my pain management issues and also understand my long-term personal hurdles caused by chronic pain. That’s when I stumbled on the new science of the mind-body connection.
That research led me to Aivo. At 1st I was like… hmmm… this is fun and way to easy. But now 60 days in - I love this team. Yes - it’s an app, but in reality it is a team of people who actually care about my journey to heal using the most current science. It’s a genius idea - Aivo. It’s tiny small bite-size pieces of interesting info / check-ins daily that progressively become a new way of life. It’s so exciting. It’s calming. It’s fun. And Im re-programming my mind a little everyday.
I know there are other programs / apps such as Dr Hanscom’s Direct Your Own Care, MMP (mostly a tracker), and cureable - but there’s something so simple about Aivo that I really like better. I cant wait to see how Im doing 60 days from now!
That research led me to Aivo. At 1st I was like… hmmm… this is fun and way to easy. But now 60 days in - I love this team. Yes - it’s an app, but in reality it is a team of people who actually care about my journey to heal using the most current science. It’s a genius idea - Aivo. It’s tiny small bite-size pieces of interesting info / check-ins daily that progressively become a new way of life. It’s so exciting. It’s calming. It’s fun. And Im re-programming my mind a little everyday.
I know there are other programs / apps such as Dr Hanscom’s Direct Your Own Care, MMP (mostly a tracker), and cureable - but there’s something so simple about Aivo that I really like better. I cant wait to see how Im doing 60 days from now!
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Response from developer
Thank you for your kind words! Our whole team is excited to hear about your progress and feedback such as yours is what keeps us determined to keep improving. We want to see you succeed!
Aivo is like Noom for chronic low back pain
This app and Aivo Program are amazing! Finally someone gets what is chronic pain and how to treat it.
I was particularly excited on the way Aivo uses my data to continuously adapt the program to optimize my pain. It works!
I was particularly excited on the way Aivo uses my data to continuously adapt the program to optimize my pain. It works!
Response from developer
We are so glad you are finding the program helpful! Thank you for your kind words!
Helpful : really, genuinely helpful
This is excellent. Not an overnight fix but a steady, thoughtful well designed program. Everyday you get new lessons. I’ve had pain a long time and I find this is actually very practical help. If you live in chronic pain, you will know how rare that is. They say this is aimed at back pain but really it works for any chronic pain.
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Response from developer
Reading this makes our day. So glad to be able to help you! Keep at it and thank you for your beautiful review.
