The War on Pain : How Breakthroughs in the New Field of Pain Medicine Are Turning the Tide Against Suffering

For centuries pain has been our most formidable adversary, but astounding breakthroughs in pain medicine have turned the tide against suffering. An eminent pain specialist, Scott Fishman understands that beyond the physical anguish, chronic pain isolates its victims while it devastates families, relationships, and careers. Too often, pain sufferers must do battle against a medical culture that is largely ill-prepared to cope with their needs. And yet breakthroughs in neuroscience, pharmacology, and mind-body therapies have given doctors and their patients the upper hand. The War on Pain arms readers with the information they need to understand and manage the full spectrum of pain, from chronic back pain to acute pain, from migraines and arthritis to the suffering of terminal illness. Using case studies, Dr Fishman explores the full range of pain-fighting techniques that get results, from surgical nerve blocks to acupuncture, from common analgesics to opioids, from psychiatric drugs to cognitive behavioural therapies. The best chance of defeating pain, he believes, is an integrative arsenal of traditional and alternative weapons. This book aims to arm each of us with the knowledge and choices available to help us handle our pain.