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Chronic pain and illness are hard to explain and even more difficult to understand. It’s hard to choose the right gift when you don’t suffer from chronic pain or have a chronic illness yourself. Don’t worry, this gift guide is here to give you a helping hand.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all received terrible gifts that we have no use for. Keep that in mind when buying a gift for your spoonie partner, friend or family member.
More than likely, you care deeply about the person you’re buying for and would do anything to help take make their life easier.
So, buying a thoughtful, useful gift for that person is what you’re probably aiming for.
THE THOUGHT COUNTS !
As a chronic pain sufferer, receiving gifts to help cope with my pain means the most.
It shows the person gifting me has listened when I have spoken about my pain and cares about helping me manage it.
Chronic pain sufferers and those with chronic illness spend a lot of money on items to help keep them going.
So, saving them a little dosh on things they need or want will definitely put a major smile on their face.
Some things on this list may seem super random and others you may have never heard of, but trust me, everything is useful.
Gifts for Pain Relief
Pelvic Pain, Period & Endo Friendly Gifts
1 – Huggable Sloth Heating Pad
This cute sloth shaped heating pad is perfect for relieving period cramps, endo pain or for snuggling up with on wintry days.
It’s microwaveable and filled with soothing lavender and buckwheat.
This doughnut cushion has a coccyx cut out, to help relieve pressure from the pelvic area whilst sitting.
It’s portable, meaning we can use it in the car, at work or whilst travelling.
3- White Company – Long Faux-Fur Hot-Water Bottle
This long hot water bottle is amazing. It can easily be wrapped around the waist or pelvic area.
So handy when you have pelvic pain, as normal hot water bottles are smaller and can only target a smaller area.
For anyone with pelvic pain, bad period cramps or pain because of endometriosis, this is a great gift that will definitely be appreciated.
Gifts for People with Back Pain
4 – Pure Enrichment® PureRelief™ Electric Heating Pad
Ideal for those with back and neck pain, but can also be used for the shoulders, abdomen, legs, and arms.
It has 6 heat settings, safe to use for moist and dry therapy and is also machine washable.
5 – Snuggle-Pedic Full Size Body Pillow
This is a #1 rated body pillow is perfect for those who suffer from back pain. Its hypoallergenic, machine washable, eco-friendly, and dust mite resistant.
It’s also made with shredded style memory foam, that keeps the body supported for the entire night and never goes flat. Plus, it has a micro vented cover to keep you cool all night.
6 – Mueller Lumbar Support Back Brace
Back braces are really great for people who suffer from back pain.
It has a removable pad that can provide more cushioning and comfort, meaning they can wear it for longer periods of time.
Gifts for Neck Pain
7 – Huggaroo Cozy Microwave Heat Pad
The Huggarroo heat pad can be warmed up in the microwave to provide 10-15 minutes of deep heat.
It wraps snuggly around the neck to soothe and get rid of neck pain.
You can also use the heating pad for relief of muscle, neuropathy, fibromyalgia and arthritis pain.
It comes in a sturdy box, perfect to give someone as a gift.
Gifts for Knee Pain
Many people sleep with pillows between their knees for comfort.
Knee pillows can also be helpful in relieving pain for people with knee, lower back, joint pain and sciatica.
The Physix Gear Knee brace helps to relieve knee pain, injury and provide support. It’s helpful for those with ACL, arthritis, post-surgery swelling, sports injury & joint aches.
It’s made of a breathable fabric and has a non-slip silicone grip, so it will stay in place and won’t roll down. The 4 way stretch fabric means it isn’t stiff, has a perfect fit and won’t irritate the skin. It’s also lightweight enough to be worn under clothing.
Migraine Relief Gifts
10 – GAMMA RAY Blue Light Glasses
These amber tinted lenses are great for anyone who spends long periods of time looking at screens or under fluorescent light. They help prevent eyestrain, visual fatigue and discomfort caused by harmful blue rays emitted from digital screens.
11 – TheraSpecs Stella Migraine Glasses
These glasses from TheraSpecs are precision-tinted to block certain light that can trigger or worsen migraines.
This pair has FL-41 lenses which block blue light, which helps reduce headache and migraine frequency, and relieves light sensitivity and glare.
12 – Magic Gel Headache and Migraine Relief Cap
It may look a bit odd, but migraine relief caps are really helpful for easing migraines. A perfect gift for anyone who struggles with chronic migraines.
It’s really easy to use, just pop it in the freezer or refrigerator, put it on your head and adjust the strap to where it’s most comfortable.
13 – IMAK Eye Pillow
The IMAK eye mask is a weighted eye pillow made for pain relief. It molds to the face and eyes to block out any light that could cause irritation or pain.
It’s also made from breathable cotton, making it even more comfortable to wear.
It also has ergo beads inside, which create a massaging effect around the eyes to help reduce pressure.
The mask can also be put in the freezer for a cooling effect, and is washable.
Comforting Gifts for Spoonies
14 – Bonne Nuit Green Velvet Hot Water Bottle
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You can’t go wrong with a hot water bottle, especially when it’s as luxurious as this.
It’s a great gift when you have no idea what to get or if you don’t know the person as well.
15 – Silentnight Weighted Blanket
This blanket is part of Silentnight’s wellbeing collection, specifically designed to improve quality of sleep.
Research has shown that weighted blankets can help relieve chronic pain when combined with other pain relief methods.
Weighted blankets have also been proven to ease anxiety and depression.
16 – Cheaper alternative – KUDD.LY™ WEIGHTED BLANKET
17 – Monogram Konnect Smart Heated Mattress Cover
Who doesn’t like a warm cosy bed, especially now it’s getting colder?
This heated mattress cover allows you to warm your bed from anywhere via the app or using Alexa.
It has regulated temperature settings and 4 temperature zones that you can control using the remote control or app.
The cover also fits snuggly to your mattress, meaning it won’t move around and is noise free.
On top of that, you can also set the heat programmes for each day of the week. How cool?
18 – ANSGEC Massage Gun Deep Tissue
This is the creme de la creme of body massagers. This massage gun uses percussion therapy to relieve muscle soreness, relax stiff muscles and boost blood flow.
It has a quiet design, which is portable and great for use wherever you go.
It’s also cordless, has a touch screen and a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 6-8 hours. The perfect gift for anyone who needs to relax and relieve some tension.
Gifts to Distract from Chronic Pain
Living with chronic pain or illness often means we spend a lot of our time indoors. Meaning we have to find things to distract and entertain ourselves.
So gifting a loved one who has chronic pain with things to keep them entertained is really thoughtful. Here are some ideas.
19 – Kindle
Depending on the condition, chronic pain can make it a little difficult to hold an actual book. So a kindle is a great alternative if your loved one doesn’t already have one.
20 – Subscription Services
If your loved one already has a Kindle, you can give them a subscription for Kindle unlimited.
It has thousands of audiobooks, millions of e-books and selected magazine subscriptions.
There’s also a free 30 day trial, so if you’re a little strapped for cash, this is a really affordable yet thoughtful gift.
On low energy, high pain days, binge watching your favourite series, listening to music or an audio book can provide so much comfort.
Subscriptions to things like Audible, Netflix, Prime video and Apple music, are really thoughtful gifts.
Not only will they provide comfort and distraction, it will also save your loved one some money.
21 – A Swear Word Coloring Book for Adults
Coloring is something I love to do to pass time. It’s also a great way to practice mindfulness and calm anxiety.
This one from amazon is hilarious!
It’s a coloring book full of swear words, so you won’t feel too much like a little kid whilst you use it.
This is perfect as a novelty gift or stocking filler for your spoonie friend or family member.
22 – Hiltingbury Holistics Soy Candle Making Kit
As I previously mentioned, chronic pain and illness can make it hard to get out and about as often, so Netflix becomes our companion.
But after a while watching TV can get boring.
So instead you can gift your loved one with a candle making kit such as this one by Hiltingbury Holisitics, and help them pick up a new hobby to pass time.
Etsy also has so many hobby kits that could work perfectly as a distraction gift.
23 – Headphones
If your loved one enjoys listening to music and audiobooks or if they spend a lot of time traveling for treatment, such as chemo, headphones are the perfect gift.
The Apple Airpods are a brilliant choice, they’re discreet and wireless, so no need to worry about tangled cords.
If Airpods are a little on the pricey side, here’s a cheaper alternative.
I also have a pair and I’m so glad I bought them! Despite the price, they look amazing (identical to the real deal), have great sound quality and a long battery life.
Chronic Illness Awareness Gifts
24 – Spoonie Warrior Shop
These really lovely bracelets raise awareness of so many chronic illnesses. Such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, chronic migraine and lupus, just to name a few.
Even better, the shop is run by a fellow spoonie!
Her name is Emma Kay, and she also lives with several chronic illnesses.
You can also follow her on Instagram @spoonie_adventures.
This gift not only shows that your acknowledging your loved ones’ condition but also supports another spoonie at the same time!
25 – Popsy UK – Chronic Illness Affirmation Bracelet
Another great shop to checkout on Etsy is Popsy UK. She has some really lovely handmade jewellery.
Such as this chronic illness affirmation bracelet, it has a silver circle connector engraved with the word “strength”. The bracelet also comes on a lovely affirmation card about chronic illness.
Spoonie Home Gift Ideas
Vacuuming is the last thing someone with chronic pain wants to think about, and sometimes it can be impossible for us to do.
The Roomba is amazing. You literally turn it on and it does the hard work for you.
27- JBL Flip 5 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Music can have an enormous impact on your mood.
I know when I’m having a high pain day, music is the one thing I know will help me either feel relaxed or uplifted, depending on the playlist.
It’s a great mood booster and a brilliant distraction from pain.
If your loved one’s pain keeps them in bed or on the sofa, a lap desk could be useful to them. A lap desk will help them use their laptops comfortably to watch movies or even use it as a surface to eat meals.
Investing in the right kitchen gadgets and tools can make life so much easier when you have chronic pain.
Cooking can be so difficult when you’re in pain or fatigued, which is why a crock pot/ slow cooker is a MUST have.
Crock pots make life so much easier! Chuck in all your ingredients, press cook and let it do the work for you.
30 – Russell Hobbs 19750 Rice Cooker and Steamer
Just like a crock pot, rice cookers are another MUST have for spoonies.
There’s no explanation needed! Get delicious fluffy rice without the hassle.
An electric can opener is a little fancy, but if, like me, you often feel weak, an electric can opener is a lifesaver.
If your loved one has pain or weakness in their hands and wrists, an electric can opener could really help them out.
This one has a start/stop function, magnetic lid holder, knife sharpener, and bottle opener.
Cozy Clothing Gifts
32 – Comfy Pajama Set and Slippers
Resting when you suffer from chronic pain or illness is vital. We spend a lot of time at home or in bed all day.
So a nice comfy pajama set and slippers can make you feel so much better, especially on high pain days.
Chronic pain and chronic illness can make it hard to put clothes on or poor circulation can cause cold feet.
So it’s best to stick to pajamas and slippers that are easy to slip in and out of.
33 – UGG Pom Fleece Lined Crew Sock
Wellness & Self-Care Gifts
34 – OLIVER BONAS – Sage Green Essential Oil Electric Aroma Diffuser
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This lovely sage green diffuser mists and infuses the room with calming essential oils of your choice.
It has four time settings, six coloured light settings and is also available in other colours.
It’s the perfect gift to help promote comfort and relaxation.
35 – This Works Deep Sleep Super Blend Diffuser Fragrance Oil
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This soothing diffuser oil has a lovely blend of calming oils such as lavender, vetiver and camomile to help bring a sense of calm and relieve tension. Perfect to put in any diffuser.
36 – PURE AROMA 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Oils Kit
This gift set of lovely essential oils is a great gift.
The oils are 100% pure therapeutic grade and include several calming oils, including lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass.
37 – Empowering Affirmation Cards by Noharanda
These amazing illustrated affirmation cards have 53 affirmation cards for strength, acceptance, and empowerment.
Chronic illness can be really tough, not only on the body but the mind too.
These cards can work as a lovely pick me up for those challenging moments. They have really cute illustrations so they are also lovely to look at.
A talented artist Nohranda makes them and she also has other amazing products based on women’s empowerment. Such as mugs, t-shirts and phone cases.
I definitely recommend checking out her shop!
38 – Better Day Studio – Personalised Gratitude Journal
Writing in a journal or notebook is another great way to take your mind off of the pain.
I use my journal to get my thoughts on paper and out of my head.
Journalling is a wonderful way to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
39 – Philips Sonicare Power Electric Toothbrush
Chronic pain and illness can make simple tasks such as dental hygiene so much harder.
An electric toothbrush can really take away the hassle, as it does all the work for you.
This electric toothbrush has expert technology which senses pressure and adapts the intensity if you’re brushing too hard.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra, this would be a great gift.
40 – Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Home Candle
You’ve probably seen this Jo Malone candle everywhere.
It’s probably one of the most popular candles ever! But I can honestly say it’s worth the hype.
The smell is delicious! It’s a lovely luxurious gift suitable for pretty much anyone!
Thoughtful Gifts to Show You Care!
41 – Hydracy Water Bottle with Time Markers
This water bottle is marked with time stamps to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
It comes in eight different colours and also has a detachable travel carry strap, spill proof flip lid, and a fruit infusion strainer.
42 – Personalised Vouchers
This is a creative idea, which may come in handy if you’re strapped for cash or left buying a gift to the last minute.
Create personalised vouchers. For example, you could create vouchers to help with your loved one’s chores.
Such as cleaning the house, doing their grocery shopping, doing their laundry, cooking for them and so on.
Create things you can do to help them out. It is a thoughtful and inexpensive gift that will also give your loved one a helping hand.
Doing things like chores can really take a toll on someone with chronic pain, so that extra support can be helpful.
43 – Tile Mate Bluetooth Item Finder
Chronic illnesses and pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, can cause brain fog. Meaning we can often misplace things.
This item finder is the perfect gift to help with those foggy moments.
It works via bluetooth and comes with tiles which you can attach to any item, such as your keys or phone.
All you have to do is log in to the free app, which will tell you where the item is located.
Those with chronic pain/ illness often take a variety of different medications daily.
Sometimes it’s hard to remember when to take them or really awkward to carry around.
This cute pillbox is discreet and easy to slip into a handbag or backpack. So no more ugly plastic containers or carrying around medication in their original cardboard boxes.
45 – Quality Time
Materialistic things are great, but nothing beats a bit of quality time.
Chronic pain sufferers often need to stay at home all day whilst the world moves around them. Which can be isolating, boring, and lonely.
So, spend some time with your loved one, have a quick chin-wag over a cup of coffee, or a night in front of the TV with a takeaway.
Those moments are priceless and can mean the most. You can’t get time back, so put it to good use with someone you truly care about.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Managing chronic pain and chronic illness is hard and not to mention expensive!
Although you may never truly know what your loved one is going through, this gift guide gives you the opportunity to make their life a little easier.
Use this gift guide to show your friend or loved one that you really care about their wellbeing.
Did you find this gift guide useful? What would you add to the list?
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