Taming Chronic Pain: A Management Guide for a More Enjoyable Life (Guide to Chronic Pain Management)

by Amy Orr, Patricia Morley-Forster MD, FRCPC (Foreword by), Laxmaiah Manchikanti MD (Afterword)

Overview

Life Beyond Pain

“Clear, engaging, and with the authenticity of personal experience.” —Patricia Morley-Forster, MD, FRCPC Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Founder Status; Professor Emerita Dept of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care, Western University, London, Canada; 2013 Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Gold Medal Winner

#1 New Release in Chronic Pain and Pain Medicine

Long-term pain management. Living with pain offers more than just physical challenges. For those of us navigating the treacherous waters between self-care and normal daily life, there are an overwhelming number of obstacles to overcome. Taming Chronic Pain takes a brutally honest—and at times humorous—look at the major issues associated with long-term pain management, offering practical advice, insight, exercises and discussion of everything from basic scientific knowledge to the psychological effects of chronic pain.

Written by a Fellow Pain Sufferer. While dealing with her own chronic pain, Amy has done years of extensive research on every aspect of long-term physical suffering. Her scientific skills and personal experience have given her the expertise to provide this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, knowing glimpse into the many areas of living with chronic pain that no one but a fellow sufferer would recognize. Taming Chronic Pain clarifies with easy to understand diagrams and cartoons.

Taming Chronic Pain is a must-have for any chronic pain sufferer. Discover:

• Tools to help you live your life with chronic pain, whether back, neck, or shoulder pain; arthritis; migraines; or nerve pain
• A helpful approach to pain management that takes medicine, meditation, and psychology into account
• Lifestyle suggestions to lessen the effects of pain
• Tips and tricks for managing relationships while managing pain, and advice for caregivers

Readers of books like Mind Over Mood, Pain Free, or 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life will find answers, companionship and more in Taming Chronic Pain.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781642500370
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	08/15/2019
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Amy Orr is a passionate writer and scientist with an extensive history living with, researching, and understanding pain disorders. Trained as a physicist, Amy has battled medical systems on two continents and has participated in, run, and is affiliated with multiple support and educational groups for the chronically ill. Her past writing ranges from long-form fiction to short-term educational pieces on healthcare, medical issues, and technology, and she has a wide online audience for these pieces.

A Brit living in Canada with her husband and rescue greyhounds, she spends much of her free time volunteering with animal rescue, her local women's shelter, and mental health groups.

Table of Contents

Foreword 12

Getting Started: There Is No Miracle 15

Part 1 The Basics 20

Chapter 1 Knowing Your Pain 21

Exercise: Know Your Pain 34

Chapter 2 Talking to Your Doctor 35

Exercise: Making Notes for Your Doctor's Appointment 48

Chapter 3 Age, Gender, and Pain 50

Exercise: Seeing Through Age and Gender 54

Chapter 4 Exercise and Pain 56

Exercise: Create a Set of Exercise Possibilities 64

Chapter 5 Boundaries 65

Exercise: Identify and Set Your Boundary 82

Chapter 6 Resource Management 83

Exercise: Analyze Your Resource Spending 87

Part 2 Mind and Mood 90

Chapter 7 Concentration and Cognitive Abilities 91

Chapter 8 Anxiety 96

Chapter 9 Anger 101

Chapter 10 Shoulding and Expectations 106

Chapter 11 Consistency, Goals, and Giving Up 112

Chapter 12 Strength Euphoria and Setbacks 118

Chapter 13 Career 121

Chapter 14 Relationships 126

Exercise: Long-Term Mental Health Management 135

Part 3 Tools and Therapies 138

Chapter 15 Medications 139

Exercise: Connect with Your Pharmacist 149

Chapter 16 Mindfulness and Meditation 151

Exercise: Simple Meditation Practices 156

Chapter 17 Alternative Therapies 161

Exercise: Rating Therapies 174

Chapter 18 Retraining Your Nervous System 176

Exercise: Clearly Observe Your Own System 183

Chapter 19 Support Groups 185

Exercise: Find a Support Group 189

Chapter 20 Planning for the Future 190

Exercise: Prioritize Your Future 194

Who Wants a Paint-by Numbers Life Anyway? 196

Addendum: For Caregivers 198

Summary of Important Lessons 205

Afterword 207

Acknowledgments 209

Bibliography 210

About the Author 211

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In this practical and empowering guide, Amy Orr offers hands-on strategies and insights that combine the wisdom and empathy of someone who has lived with pain with the clear-eyed precision of a skilled writer. Life Beyond Pain is a concise yet comprehensive toolkit for living with—and moving beyond—chronic pain.”

—Laurie Edwards, author of Life Disrupted and In the Kingdom of the Sick

"Clear, engaging and with the authenticity of personal experience."

—Patricia Morley-Forster, MD, FRCPC

Professor Emerita, Western University

Former Director of Pain Management Program at Western University

Former Medical Director of Pain Management Program at St Joesph's Hospital

2013 Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Gold Medal Winner