A holistic approach to pain management from a recognized leader in the field. This comprehensive guide is designed to help everyone whose days are filled with chronic pain—the kind of pain that truly is a disease unto itself. Where does chronic pain come from, and why doesn’t it go away? Dr. Steven H. Richeimer, an eminent voice in the field of pain management, answers these and other fundamental questions about chronic pain. Board certified in pain medicine, anesthesiology, and psychiatry, he knows that the stress of persistent pain quickly takes a toll on the body and the mind. And he has helped thousands of people reduce their pain and reclaim their lives. In Confronting Chronic Pain, Dr. Richeimer discusses what causes pain in such disorders as arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, chronic headache, and back pain—and describes how to get relief. He provides clear and up-to-date information about pain medications, exercise and nutrition, injections and neurostimulators, and complementary therapies. He also explains the many approaches to managing the social and emotional aspects of pain. Understanding that chronic pain affects the spirit, he offers seven spiritual tools for moving beyond pain; understanding that chronic pain affects the whole family, he has created an action plan for family harmony; understanding the emotional component of people in pain, he helps them solve the chronic pain puzzle. “Just learn to live with it” is not a satisfactory response to someone living with chronic pain. Dr. Richeimer’s compassionate and holistic approach can help soften the harsh edges of pain and provide hope for the future.

Chronic pain is a condition that afflicts over 50 million Americans. Chronic pain can be a symptom of a variety of illnesses, injuries, or chronic conditions. From back pain to migraine headaches to arthritis, from sports injuries to cancer, chronic pain can afflict anyone at any age. It is one of the most frequently under-treated conditions and, even worse, many doctors simply ignore it. Chronic pain specialist Dr. Jennifer Schneider offers expert advice and guidance to the millions of Americans who suffer with chronic pain. In Living with Chronic Pain you’ll learn: * How to choose a pain specialist doctor * The latest information on the warnings and recalls of popular Cox-2 inhibitor and NSAID painkillers such as Vioxx. * The truth about opioids and why they are under-prescribed * The most up-to-date non-drug approaches to pain management including physical therapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, brain stimulation, biofeedback, counseling and more * Details on clinical trials, the new analgesics and cutting-edge endorphin research Now updated with the latest information about medications and treatments, the second edition of Living with Chronic Pain is essential reading for anyone suffering with or treating this debilitating condition.

Although there is no cure, Understanding Chronic Pain outlines new and effective treatments that focus on the management of pain and improvement in a patient's quality of life."

Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting as many as 48 million people in this country alone. It can demoralize and depress both patient and family, especially when there is no effective pain control and no hope for relief. Improperly managed, chronic pain can lead to substance abuse (usually painkillers) and to acute psychological and emotional distress. Pain begets stress and stress begets pain in a wretched downward spiral. Silver reviews the causes and characteristics of chronic pain and explores its impact on individual family relationships and on the extended family, covering such issues as employment, parenting, childbearing and inheritance, and emotional health. Silver treats aspects of chronic pain not covered in a typical office visit: how men and women differ in their experience of chronic pain, the effect of chronic pain on a toddler's behavior or an older child's performance in school, the risks of dependence on and addiction to pain medications, and practical ways for relatives beyond the immediate family circle to offer help and support to the person in pain.

"This book presents a variety of 'real life' case studies encountered in the context of treating patients complaining of chronic pain. It highlights the complexity of chronic pain, and its management. At times, progress can be slow and tedious; but achievable. Both clinician, and patient, must be clear and realistic about the therapeutic goal(s). Many of the interventions discussed are based on scientifically sound behavioral/psychological principles. However, many of these techniques can be successfully implement by the 'front line' clinician. Pain Psychology for the Clinician (Cinafrini et al, Oxford University Press, 2021) could be considered to be a companion volume, as it provides detailed illustrations of how to engage in meaningful clinician-patient interaction. Each case involves several section: background information, how to approach assessment, treatment recommendations, and 'key point' are provided for each case. The case studies are designed to be very succinct"--

Primary care physicians are often the first caretakers to whom patients present for chronic pain. The current literature targeted at these providers is sparse, and the existing literature is very broad and large in scope and size. There are no quick pocket guides on this topic that the general practitioner may use as a point of care reference. This first of its kind text provides a practical, hands-on approach to the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain in the family medicine setting. Divided into four main sections, the first part focuses on the general approach to any patient suffering from chronic pain. Chapters in this section include the physical exam, formulating a diagnosis, formulating a variety of treatment plans including medication, physical therapy and psychiatric therapy, and specialist referral, among others. The second section focuses on evaluation and management of the chronic pain patient who requires opioid therapy. This section includes useful guidance on how to convert into morphine equivalents, interpretation of urine drug tests, and helpful office procedures for managing refills. It gives practical guidance on how to prescribe opioid reversal agents and opioid tapering regimens. A systems based approach to managing the patient is also discussed. The third section informs the reader of viable alternative and complementary treatment options. Five main treatment types are discussed each with their own separate chapter. These include musculoskeletal-based therapy, medicinal therapies, sense-based therapy, relaxation-based therapy and physical/exercise-based therapy. Given the controversy and limited training primary care physicians have on marijuana and cannabis, one chapter is dedicated specifically to inform the primary care physician on marijuana as a medicinal therapy for chronic pain. The fourth section focuses entirely on myofascial pain and trigger point therapy. The chapters in this section teach the reader how to examine and diagnose myofascial pain and distinguish between fibromyalgia. They also provide general principles of myofascial trigger point therapy and how to practically perform these in sthe clinical setting. Topics discussed include: trigger point massage, cold and stretch, isometric contraction, trigger point injection, and ischemic compression. It also includes general instruction so that the practitioner can teach patients how to perform trigger point therapy easily in their own home. The last chapter details chronic myofascial back pain and how to examine and practically treat with trigger point therapies. Evaluation and Management of Chronic Pain is a first-of-its-kind pocket-guide text specifically designed for primary care providers. It also appeals to residents, medical students and any other professional interested in treating chronic pain.

An author and scientist shares how she learned to live well with chronic pain in this candid, practical guide to chronic pain management. Living with chronic pain effects far more than just your physical health. Every aspect of life is hampered by discomfort, and daily activities involve an ongoing negotiation between spontaneity and self-care. But it is possible to live a life beyond pain. Taming Chronic Pain provides a practical approach to pain management by someone who truly understands what it’s like. Amy Orr explores the kind of struggles that only a fellow sufferer would recognize. She also discusses aspects of chronic conditions that most of us never consider. With humor and brutal honesty, she provides practical tips based on extensive research on every aspect of long-term physical suffering. The result is a straightforward and effective approach to pain management.