Full Description
Navigating Life with Chronic Pain provides accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about the challenges patients, family, and caregivers face when confronted by chronic pain. No two pain experiences are the same, so your chronic pain depends on where you have pain, how long you have experienced pain, and how the pain symptoms developed. Everyone needs a customized approach because pain symptoms, other medical conditions, past pain experiences, beliefs about pain, environment, ability to cope with the pain, and financial and social support (like family, friends, and caregivers) are different for every person.
This book aims to provide clear and reliable information about chronic pain, including "what" (definition), "how" (pathophysiology), and "why" (etiology). The authors expertly guide the reader through current approaches to diagnoses, including a review of diagnostic tests, as well as a comprehensive, integrated approach to chronic pain treatment. They demystify the pain evaluation and explain why pain professionals might ask you for detailed and seemingly personal information. Through the use of patient stories, you get real-world experiences and advice on navigating the day-to-day challenges of chronic pain. You will learn how to take control of your chronic pain using a variety of tools, like behavioral, exercise and nutritional approaches, medications, alternative treatments (yoga and tai chi), and injections or surgery.
Contents
Table of Contents
1.Understanding Chronic Pain
How the Brain Interprets Pain
How the Brain Modifies Pain
What is the Difference between Acute and Chronic Pain, and Why Does It Matter?
Will My Chronic Pain Improve?
You Are Not Alone
2. Different Types of Chronic Pain
The Nervous System
What is Nerve Pain?
Arthritis Pain
Myofascial Pain
Fibromyalgia
Back Pain
Headaches
3. What You Might Expect During a Doctor's Appointment
Why Do I Need to Complete All of These Forms?
Talking with Your Doctor About Chronic Pain
Diagnostic Tests That Your Doctor May Request
Injections
4. Taking Control of Your Life
Inactivity
Loss of Flexibility
Exercise as a Prescription
Other Problems Caused by Immobility
Making the Most of Things
Feeling Better
The Unseen Enemy: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Sleep Disturbances
5. Behavioral Approaches
What is the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain?
The Pain Experience
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Meditation and Mindfulness
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Hypnosis
Exercise
Biofeedback
6. Lifestyle Modifications
What is the Role of Exercise and Nutrition?
What are Complementary and Alternative (CAM) Treatments?
What are Orthotic and Assistive Devices?
What are Environmental Modifications?
7. Non-opioid Pain Medications
Medications - Why They Don't Always Work and How to Use Them Safely
Commonly Prescribed Pain Medications and Common Side Effects
Acetaminophen, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Antidepressants, Antiepileptics, Muscle Relaxants
Medical Marijuana
8. Opioid Pain Medications
So Why Do Opioids Work for Pain?
Why are Opioids So Controversial?
Commonly Prescribed Opioid Medications: Indications and Common Side Effects
Confusing Concepts: Dependence, Addiction, Withdrawal, Tolerance, and Hyperalgesia
When to Call Your Doctor
9. Injections, Implants, and Surgery - Benefits and Limitations
Why Spine Surgery May Not Fix the Pain Problem
Why Can't They Cut Out the Pain?
Spinal Fusion Surgeries
Other Surgical Limitations
Why Can't I have an Injection?
What Should I Expect from Interventional Procedures?
What are the Risks of Injections?
10. Pain and Your Significant Others
Social interactions and Communication
Intimacy
Caregiver Burnout
Appendix: Practical Patient/Caregiver Aids
Appendix: Resources List
