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.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents1.Understanding Chronic PainHow the Brain Interprets PainHow the Brain Modifies PainWhat is the Difference between Acute and Chronic Pain, and Why Does It Matter?Will My Chronic Pain Improve?You Are Not Alone2. Different Types of Chronic PainThe Nervous SystemWhat is Nerve Pain?Arthritis PainMyofascial PainFibromyalgiaBack PainHeadaches3. What You Might Expect During a Doctor's AppointmentWhy Do I Need to Complete All of These Forms?Talking with Your Doctor About Chronic PainDiagnostic Tests That Your Doctor May RequestInjections4. Taking Control of Your LifeInactivityLoss of FlexibilityExercise as a PrescriptionOther Problems Caused by ImmobilityMaking the Most of ThingsFeeling BetterThe Unseen Enemy: Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Sleep Disturbances5. Behavioral ApproachesWhat is the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain?The Pain ExperienceCognitive Behavioral TherapyMeditation and MindfulnessAcceptance and Commitment TherapyHypnosisExerciseBiofeedback6. Lifestyle ModificationsWhat 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 MedicationsMedications - Why They Don't Always Work and How to Use Them SafelyCommonly Prescribed Pain Medications and Common Side EffectsAcetaminophen, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Antidepressants, Antiepileptics, Muscle RelaxantsMedical Marijuana8. Opioid Pain MedicationsSo Why Do Opioids Work for Pain?Why are Opioids So Controversial?Commonly Prescribed Opioid Medications: Indications and Common Side EffectsConfusing Concepts: Dependence, Addiction, Withdrawal, Tolerance, and HyperalgesiaWhen to Call Your Doctor9. Injections, Implants, and Surgery - Benefits and LimitationsWhy Spine Surgery May Not Fix the Pain ProblemWhy Can't They Cut Out the Pain?Spinal Fusion SurgeriesOther Surgical LimitationsWhy Can't I have an Injection?What Should I Expect from Interventional Procedures?What are the Risks of Injections?10. Pain and Your Significant OthersSocial interactions and CommunicationIntimacyCaregiver BurnoutAppendix: Practical Patient/Caregiver AidsAppendix: Resources List
