Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery
What if everything you thought you knew about pain was wrong?

We are in the middle of a pain epidemic. Yet for decades, we’ve misunderstood what pain actually is. The result? Millions stuck in a cycle of suffering. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong questions?

In this provocative, paradigm-shifting book, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness radically reframes the way we understand pain. Drawing on fascinating case studies from her own practice, she explains why pain isn’t simply a symptom of injury — it’s shaped by your thoughts, your past, your stress levels, your relationships, even your expectations. With cutting-edge neuroscience, psychology, and game-changing concepts, Dr. Zoffness demonstrates that pain is not simply a sign of damage; it’s a protective mechanism designed by your brain. And this is good news: because if the brain can change, pain can change.

Whether you live with chronic pain or know someone who does, this book offers more than insight — it offers a way forward. Smart, readable, and refreshingly empowering, this is the pain book we’ve been waiting for.
1147871163
Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery
What if everything you thought you knew about pain was wrong?

We are in the middle of a pain epidemic. Yet for decades, we’ve misunderstood what pain actually is. The result? Millions stuck in a cycle of suffering. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong questions?

In this provocative, paradigm-shifting book, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness radically reframes the way we understand pain. Drawing on fascinating case studies from her own practice, she explains why pain isn’t simply a symptom of injury — it’s shaped by your thoughts, your past, your stress levels, your relationships, even your expectations. With cutting-edge neuroscience, psychology, and game-changing concepts, Dr. Zoffness demonstrates that pain is not simply a sign of damage; it’s a protective mechanism designed by your brain. And this is good news: because if the brain can change, pain can change.

Whether you live with chronic pain or know someone who does, this book offers more than insight — it offers a way forward. Smart, readable, and refreshingly empowering, this is the pain book we’ve been waiting for.
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Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery

Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery

by Rachel Zoffness Ph.D
Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery

Why We Hurt and How to Heal: The Surprising New Science of Pain and Recovery

by Rachel Zoffness Ph.D

Hardcover

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Overview

What if everything you thought you knew about pain was wrong?

We are in the middle of a pain epidemic. Yet for decades, we’ve misunderstood what pain actually is. The result? Millions stuck in a cycle of suffering. But what if we’ve been asking the wrong questions?

In this provocative, paradigm-shifting book, pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness radically reframes the way we understand pain. Drawing on fascinating case studies from her own practice, she explains why pain isn’t simply a symptom of injury — it’s shaped by your thoughts, your past, your stress levels, your relationships, even your expectations. With cutting-edge neuroscience, psychology, and game-changing concepts, Dr. Zoffness demonstrates that pain is not simply a sign of damage; it’s a protective mechanism designed by your brain. And this is good news: because if the brain can change, pain can change.

Whether you live with chronic pain or know someone who does, this book offers more than insight — it offers a way forward. Smart, readable, and refreshingly empowering, this is the pain book we’ve been waiting for.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781538758144
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: 02/03/2026
Pages: 320
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Rachel Zoffness MS, PhD is a leading global pain expert, pain psychologist, speaker, author, disruptor and thought-leader in pain medicine. She’s faculty at the UCSF School of Medicine, former pain education faculty at Dartmouth, and winner of the prestigious Mayday Fellowship. 
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