Chronic Pain Books - Page 2

Living Beyond Your Pain: Using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy to Ease Chronic Pain

Joanne Dahl, Tobias Lundgren

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: New Harbinger Publications Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $11.66

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Values and Action-based Pain Management 4 out of 5 stars.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.

This book uses ACT as a basis for helping a person experiencing persistent pain to live a life full of what is really important rather than with futile attempts to control the uncontrollable.
It's quite easy to follow and has both short and simple readings alongside exercises that can be used to reflect upon the concepts that are introduced.
I think a person experiencing pain would need to be at a certain stage of motivation to be ready to stop seeking pain reduction before beginning on the journey that this approach offers - but if ready, the book certainly covers the ground and is user-friendly enough for most people who read self-help books to follow.
If the person experiencing pain has the support of a therapist either familiar with ACT, or prepared to suspend judgement and follow the process, the process this book uses would work well. I'm not so sure that an individual who was working alone would find it as easy!
As an introductory book for a therapist working in pain management, this book provides great tools to use, and a logical process to follow. It also has some good references if the therapist is keen to read more.
Recommended.

Editorial Review:

A rich and rewarding life is possible for those of us who live with chronic pain. Based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), one of the most promising and fastest growing psychotherapies being practiced today, this book breaks with conventional notions of pain management. These "feel good" approaches—including the use of pain-killing medication—all work to prevent painful sensations. The ACT approach, however, begins with the assumption that pain is a normal part of living that teaches us a lot about the state of our bodies and minds. Attempts to avoid it often cause more harm than good. By accepting and learning to live with pain, you limit the control it exerts over you. Mindfulness exercises, in particular, help you transform pain from a life-defining preoccupation to a simple experience. From this strong position, you can make choices that will lead to the life you’ve always wanted. Committed action is the way to make it happen.

The Pain Cure: The Proven Medical Program That Helps End Your Chronic Pain

Dharma Singh Khalsa, Cameron Stauth

Amazon Price: $30.82 List Price: $35.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Grand Central Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 57 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In The Pain Cure, Dharma Singh Khalsa, M. D., and Cameron Stauth team up again to offer a comprehensive, proven program for chronic pain sufferers. Combining physical, mental, and spiritual strategies, this new program will help patients lead pain-free lives again and regain their sense of personal power and control over their lives. Dr. Khalsas case histories show that even with the most serious conditions, success has occurred, and it is possible to return to a life of feeling great. For the millions living with chronic pain syndrome, this is truly a book that will change their lives. Dr. Khalsas previous book, Brain Longevity (Warner, 1997), has over 50,000 copies in print and was an Alternate Selection of Book-of-the-Month Club, Quality Paperback Book Club, One Spirit, Rodale, and Money Book Club. The Pain Cure is the first major book that will teach people how to help end chronic pain syndrome with a comprehensive, proven program of physical/mental/spiritual therapies and new approaches. A highly effective promoter, Dr. Khalsa is in constant demand for lectures and is a popular speaker at symposiums worldwide. Cameron Stauth is the author of nine critically acclaimed books, a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Health Science, and a journalist who has written more than 100 articles for the New York Times Magazine, Prevention, Natural Health, and other publications.

Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Step-by-Step Guide

Beverly E. Thorn

Amazon Price: $34.20 List Price: $38.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: The Guilford Press Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $33.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A helpful book for both patients and professionals 5 out of 5 stars.
46 of 48 people found this review helpful.

"You'll just have to learn to live with it." That's what many patients hear when there is nothing else that can be medically done to alleviate their pain. But how is a patient supposed to learn to "live with it?" Where this statement leaves off, Dr. Thorn's book begins. Dr. Thorn's book illustrates how a therapist can help patients with pain to better cope with their suffering, and to go on to live fulfilling lives. This book is aptly named, for it truly does take the reader on a step-by-step journey through the therapeutic process.

Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain is not a comprehensive chronic pain workbook, nor was it intended to be. It does not cover such issues as medications for pain, nor does it cover breathing techniques for pain or insomnia control. Rather, it takes one critically important aspect of pain disorders, how patients come to think about their pain, and deals with the therapeutic process more thoroughly than any other book currently available.

Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain book is a monumental work on the topic of how pain and suffering are influenced, for better or for worse, by a patient's belief system. Beyond this, this book does an extraordinary job of taking current scientific theory and research about the nature of pain, and distilling from that concrete advice for both clinicians and their patients. This book leaves the reader with the awareness that Dr. Thorn is a master at simplifying complex ideas, and explaining them in a way that even a discouraged patient can understand and benefit from.

Unlike some books, which are scientifically sound but which offer little that is clinically usable, Dr. Thorn's book is eminently practical. Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain walks the reader through the types of the beliefs that influence pain, how to assess them, therapeutic strategies, and homework assignment for the patients. This book even takes the additional step of identifying aspects of these assignments that patients are likely to have difficulty with, and strategies for helping patients overcome these difficulties.

Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain is organized with sections on theoretical matters, assessment devices with their scoring keys, and therapeutic strategies with actual homework forms. Additionally, there are also sample dialogs illustrating how to present this information, and how the patient might respond.

Dr. Thorn's approach is at the same time sympathetic to the plight of patients with pain, while still offering hope. While never judgmental, she still challenges patients to identify ineffective coping strategies, and to learn better ones. Most health psychologists will have a chronic pain workbook on their shelf. Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain is the next step beyond such a workbook, and will be an indispensable addition to even a senior pain professional's library.

Although this book is written as a guide for clinicians who treat pain, this book can also be a useful self-help guide for a motivated patient with pain.

Editorial Review:

Grounded in state-of-the-art theory and research, this hands-on volume provides a complete cognitive-behavioral treatment program for clients suffering from chronic pain. Ten clearly organized modules for use with groups or individuals offer well-tested strategies for engaging clients, challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs about pain, and helping to build needed skills for coping and adaptation. Also featured are a detailed theoretical and empirical rationale, along with guidelines for setting up treatment groups and conducting effective assessments. Presented in a large-size format for ease of photocopying and use, the book contains everything needed to implement the program, including numerous case examples and troubleshooting tips and over 40 reproducible session outlines, client handouts, and assessment tools.

Why We Hurt: A Complete Physical & Spiritual Guide to Healing Your Chronic Pain

Greg Fors

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Llewellyn Publications Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $8.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

After seeing his teenage daughter disabled with fibromyalgia, Dr. Fors was compelled to return to academia to find answers for those whose lives are frustrated by chronic pain. In this health and wellness book, Dr. Fors describes the development of chronic pain as a result of our lifestyle of convenience and the roadblocks put in place from our modern approach to healing. He discovered the primary culprits behind chronic pain are not only our diet and lifestyle choices but also the environmental toxins in our food, air, water, and cosmetics, as well as our own perceptions that lead to psychological stress.

In this comprehensive, metaphysical approach to healing from the inside out, Dr. Fors dispels common misconceptions about conventional and alternative therapies and explains how the whole person must be treated—body, mind, and spirit.  He prescribes a "triangle of healing," with practical physical, nutritional, and spiritual solutions. This science-based alternative approach includes sound dietary recommendations, use of supplements, suggestions for healthy living, and proper detoxification strategies for living in a toxic world.  Dr. Fors includes an entire section on self-administered therapy for myofascial trigger points, with diagrams and instructions relating to specific pain conditions.  Most importantly, this approach puts you in charge of your health.

Mindfulness of Breathing: Managing Pain, Illness, and Stress with Guided Mindfulness Meditation

Sona, Vidyamala

Amazon Price: $19.95 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Breathworks Amazon Marketplace: 3 new & used starting at $19.94

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

This really works 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I have a long standing back injury and have tried many many treatments from all sorts of disciplines. This mindfulness approach is the most effective thing I have ever done for my back pain. It is somehow ironic that switching from trying to treat or fix the pain to just living with it and managing it is what has worked, but there you are.... I really enjoy the slowing down that this CD brings for me. I got the benefits by using the CD over time so this is not a quick fix. But it does work.

A MUST 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This CD has really helped me develop more awareness in my life. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a stressful job, as it can help you bring more spaciousness and calmness into the way you relate to the demands of the job. I know this from experience having worked as nurse, and now as a psychologist for a number of years. At the same time I can recommend this CD to both those who are new to meditation as well as those who are more experienced. Highly recommended!

Editorial Review:

The Mindfulness of Breathing practice helps us develop awareness of our experience in greater detail. By resting in a responsive space between suppressing our experience of pain or illness on the one hand, and over-identifying with it on the other, we can learn to make choices as to how we respond to our moment-by-moment experience.

The CD introduces two different approaches to this practice, helping us to develop "moments of awareness" which help free us from stress.

Living with Chronic Pain: The Complete Health Guide to the Causes and Treatment of Chronic Pain

Jennifer Schneider

Amazon Price: $10.85 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hatherleigh Press Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $0.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Take back your life from chronic pain!

Do you wake up every morning in pain? Do you avoid activities you love because you're afraid of a flare-up? Has managing your pain symptoms become a full-time job? If so, you're not alone. More than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. From migraine headaches to arthritis, and sports injuries to back pain, chronic pain can affect anyone at any age. It is frequently undertreated, and worse, many doctors simply ignore it.

Now there is real help and hope. In Living with Chronic Pain, noted pain specialist Jennifer P. Schneider, M.D., Ph.D., offers expert advice and guidance in everyday language on symptoms, causes, and treatments. Here is all the information you need to start feeling better right away.

In Living with Chronic Pain you'll find:
*an up-to-date guide to the newest analgesic pain relievers (including NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors) and other medications that have proven helpful, such as antidepressants, local anesthetics, muscle relaxants and sleeping pills
*a detailed and no-nonsense discussion about opioids, their benefits and risks, why they are underprescribed, and whether they can help you
*the way your personality type affects your ability to cope with chronic pain, including tips from other patients on how they have dealt with their problems
*the latest non-drug approaches to pain management, including massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy, counseling and much more.

All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache

Paula Kamen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

At the age of twenty-four, Paula Kamen's life changed in an instant. While she was putting in her contacts, the left lens disturbed a constellation of nerves behind her eye. The pain was more piercing than that of any other headache she had ever experienced. More than a decade later, she still has a headache-the exact same headache. From surgery to a battery of Botox injections to a dousing of Lithuanian holy water, from a mountain of pharmaceutical products to aromatherapy and even a vibrating hat, All in My Head chronicles the sometimes frightening, usually absurd, and always ineffective remedies Kamen-like so many others-tried in order to relieve the pain. Beleaguered and frustrated by doctors who, frustrated themselves, periodically declared her pain psychosomatic, she came to understand the plight of the millions who suffer chronic pain in its many forms. Full of self-deprecating humor and razorsharp reporting, All in My Head is the remarkable story of patience, acceptance, and perseverance in the face of terrifying pain.

The Sciatica Relief Handbook

Chet Cunningham

List Price: $14.95 By: United Research Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 122 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Buy this one, but there is a better book... 2 out of 5 stars.
52 of 54 people found this review helpful.

Let me start off by saying thanks to DLEAKELLER who wrote the review that says - try Dr. Sarno's book on healing back pain. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! If it wasn't for your review I would never have looked at the book seriously.
I had sciatica pretty bad for 1 and 1/2 years. I found some relief from taking 4 ibuprofens once or twice a day (for months), but didn't want to live that way. My local MD quickly diagnosed sciatica with the straight leg lift test - steroids and PT didn't help. The chiropractor managed to move the pain after my first visit (Sarno's book talks about this) - it turned into what felt like electric shocks running down my leg while laying on a bench for some weight lifting and I thought that was a big improvement! He disagreed. Finally I got so desperate I did some online research and ended up here in Amazon. Searched for sciatica, and bought 3 books. Fishman's book and Cunningham's book were pretty standard fare. You know, strengthen your back, do these exercises, don't bend your back while lifting, blah, blah, blah.
Luckily for me, someone else was kind enough to share their knowledge by mentioning Sarno's book in their review of the Cunningham book. I had noticed Sarno's book in the ads off to the side and immediately ignored it. Come on, how can your mind heal your back! Despite the hokey, holistic sounding description, this BOOK CURED ME!! I know, it sounds crazy. Read some of the 213 REVIEWS on the book. I'll just be repeating what most of them have to say. I read the book and I was a classic example (as are probably the vast majority of middle aged, pretty normal/responsible folks with kids, jobs, etc who also have a bit too much emotional stress which can manifest itself as sciatica).
My improvements were dramatic and fast! Within a few days my pain was greatly diminished. Within 4-6 weeks it was 100% gone and I am back doing the rigorous sports I love - weightlifting, handball, tennis, raquetball, snowboarding, windsurfing, skimboarding, catamaran sailing, etc. Hey, I'm not 20 years old either - 50 is pretty close now.
If you have sciatica you owe yourself the risk of spending a few bucks on Sarno's book on healing back pain. Unfortunately, you won't find the technique in this book.
You won't be disappointed.

Editorial Review:

Contains the latest information on Sciatica - what causes symtoms, how to best treat them and ways to prevent future problems. Book gives specific facts on all-natural alternative and medical treatments for fast and lasting relief without the use of drugs.

Book is written in easy to understand language and contains numerous illustrations for recommended exercises.

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Chronic Pain

Joanne Dahl, Kelly G. Wilson, Carmen Luciano, Steven C. Hayes

Amazon Price: $23.07 List Price: $34.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Context Press Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $15.34

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Aimed at professionals working with clients who are stuck in chronic pain, this book provides both a new conceptualization of this difficult problem and practical guidelines about how to treat it from an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) perspective. The book alternates between the story of a chronic pain patient named Elisabeth, and the scientific and clinical reasons to approach her struggle in a new way. The book addresses case formulation and clinical technique in a practical "hands on" way, with frequent therapeutic dialogues as examples. Rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers will all find the volume to be of use. The senior author, JoAnne Dahl, has worked in rehabilitation medicine for over 25 years and more recently with some of the founders of ACT: Steven Hayes, Kelly Wilson, and Carmen Luciano. The ACT model is helping to create a paradigm shift in behavioral and cognitive therapy, behavioral medicine, and the behavioral health disciplines more generally, from a focus on form and content to one on context and function.

Chapters:

-Elisabeth: Getting Stuck

-The Social and Systems Context of Pain

-All this Suffering, Pain, and Disability: What is Wrong?

-Valuing and Pain

-The Therapeutic Relationship in ACT

-Values Assessment

-Identifying Components of an ACT Model through Functional Analysis

-ACT Interventions

-ACT for Therapists and Staff

-A Brief ACT Intervention for Clients with Longstanding Stress and Pain Symptoms

-Elisabeth with an ACT Alternative

-References

The Chronic Pain Care Workbook: A Self-treatment Approach to Pain Relief Using the Behavioral Assessment of Pain Questionnaire (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)

Michael J. Lewandowski

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: New Harbinger Publications Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $5.92

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Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Sixteen years ago, psychologist Michael Lewandowski devised a series of questions for patients suffering from chronic pain that identifies specific factors that aggravate and perpetuate pain. Those questions became the Behavioral Assessment of Pain Questionnaire, which is now used throughout the world in the treatment of chronic pain. By using this questionnaire, doctors are able to customize pain-management programs to the specific needs of individuals. Now Lewandowski brings this powerful set of tools to readers in a unique self-care format.

By personalizing pain-treatment programs, this book offers you great control over your own pain-management process through monitoring, self-awareness, and empowerment. Evaluations help you assess your levels of physical and emotional pain, sleep habits, and general ability to function throughout the day. The book offers a range of advice for maintaining a high quality of life while experiencing pain, both by identifying important life goals and by finding ways to increase self-reliance.