Hi. I have been having really severe back pain over the last couple of weeks, probably as a result of not being able to move freely and easily following my recent Mastectomy. I have been managing my back pain using the iPilates.co.uk workouts that Julia Jackson has created.

I had chosen to have a second mastectomy to reduce my risk of a recurrence of breast cancer, having found out that I had a high risk of a genetic flaw named BRCA 2, and I decided that as well as having a second mastectomy, this time I would have breast reconstruction.

My operation was successful, but I had underestimated how sore I would be afterwards and the impact this was going to have on my ability to move.

It took about 4 weeks for the initial pain to subside to a reasonable level, whereas after my first mastectomy in 2007, the discomfort only lasted a couple of days, so I was unprepared for the impact this would have on my life. On my first morning home from hospital it took me 40 minutes to get out of bed.

Fortunately I was able to use some simple Pilates stretches and exercise techniques to prevent my arms from seizing up, and 7 weeks down the line I have got a full range of movement back, which is great.

I am working on restoring all my normal movement patterns, slowly and carefully, and I find that the half hour workout Pilates for Everyday on iPilates.co.uk is the best workout for this.

In a morning I find that the exercises in Pilates for Back Care are useful, and I am looking forward to Pilates in sitting so that I can keep mobile at my desk.

Will let you know how successful my breast reconstruction has been after I have seen the consultant tomorrow.