jjares reviewed Chronic Pain For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) on + 3275 more book reviews
Unlike some other reviewer, I dont have a problem with dummies books. When I see a dummies book, I know it will be written in down-to-earth language, in spite of being written by an MD, PhD and MS. Some MDs (particularly) spend too much time on the science behind their theories or protocols and not enough time addressing possible solutions. These books dont have that problem.
This book covers several types of chronic pain:
- Arthritis and its Cohorts
- My Aching Back
- Head Cases: Migraines and Other Types of Craniofacial Pain
- The Odd Couple: Injuries and Strokes
- Burn Pain
- Digestive and Urinary Conditions
- Reproductive Conditions
- Following the Nerve Paths: Neuralgias and Neuropathies
- Cancer Pain
Of course, pain management through medications is covered. The authors then give useful info about using healthy practices in addition to conventional medicine. If the reader is interested in this, look for doctors who indicate they practice integrative medicine.
They spend almost 20 pages explaining the healthy use of dietary supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin, plus several others), and how the following therapies might help: naturopathic medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, etc.
After explaining the whys-and-wherefores of surgery (a last resort), the authors spend considerable time explaining various ways to manage pain through lifestyle. One method of pain control I hadnt tried before was tracking and avoiding pain triggers. Being aware of what can trip the pain sensors on seems to be half the battle.
Certainly, a wide range of exercises are explained and shown; but they go further by explaining how fatigue can turn on pain. The mind can be a powerful antidote to feeling pain and this book goes into a variety to ways to use the mind to control pain. Some ideas explained are: Coping with stress (stress is one of the dominant pain triggers), meditating, self-massage, self-hypnosis, journaling, prayer, etc.
I found the next section Understanding Pain Throughout the Life Cycle to be very reassuring. The authors offered guidelines and suggestions for pain management through the years, from children to adults to the elderly and end-of-life situations.
Looking for more help? The authors offer web resources for folks with chronic pain. The last chapter ties things up rather neatly Ten Things to Avoid When You have Chronic Pain. If you were napping through some of the book, this handy list reminds the reader of the most important things that WONT help your pain.
I wish there were a bibliography provided in this book; I would like more info on some subjects they covered.
4.5 stars
This book covers several types of chronic pain:
- Arthritis and its Cohorts
- My Aching Back
- Head Cases: Migraines and Other Types of Craniofacial Pain
- The Odd Couple: Injuries and Strokes
- Burn Pain
- Digestive and Urinary Conditions
- Reproductive Conditions
- Following the Nerve Paths: Neuralgias and Neuropathies
- Cancer Pain
Of course, pain management through medications is covered. The authors then give useful info about using healthy practices in addition to conventional medicine. If the reader is interested in this, look for doctors who indicate they practice integrative medicine.
They spend almost 20 pages explaining the healthy use of dietary supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin, plus several others), and how the following therapies might help: naturopathic medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, biofeedback, etc.
After explaining the whys-and-wherefores of surgery (a last resort), the authors spend considerable time explaining various ways to manage pain through lifestyle. One method of pain control I hadnt tried before was tracking and avoiding pain triggers. Being aware of what can trip the pain sensors on seems to be half the battle.
Certainly, a wide range of exercises are explained and shown; but they go further by explaining how fatigue can turn on pain. The mind can be a powerful antidote to feeling pain and this book goes into a variety to ways to use the mind to control pain. Some ideas explained are: Coping with stress (stress is one of the dominant pain triggers), meditating, self-massage, self-hypnosis, journaling, prayer, etc.
I found the next section Understanding Pain Throughout the Life Cycle to be very reassuring. The authors offered guidelines and suggestions for pain management through the years, from children to adults to the elderly and end-of-life situations.
Looking for more help? The authors offer web resources for folks with chronic pain. The last chapter ties things up rather neatly Ten Things to Avoid When You have Chronic Pain. If you were napping through some of the book, this handy list reminds the reader of the most important things that WONT help your pain.
I wish there were a bibliography provided in this book; I would like more info on some subjects they covered.
4.5 stars
