Main description:

Pain is informally defined as the body's way of uncovering a problem. Whether due to an injury, infection, or something else, pain alerts a person that something is not right. Sometimes pain goes along with inflammation and swelling, and when it does, the problem is more evident. Oftentimes, pain is more generalized to the entire body, signaling a viral infection such as a flu virus. Still other times, there is no apparent root cause for a person's pain. Yet, millions of people suffer from some form of pain on a daily basis.

Understanding Pain walks readers through the various types of pain, the causes and symptoms, as well as the methods of treatment currently available. From prescription medication to acupuncture and massage therapy, various approaches may work for some but not for others. But handling pain is essential for living well and functioning on a daily basis. Here, the authors provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject, covering self-care as well as caring for others in pain, and addressing alternative as well as traditional methods of pain management.

Contents:

Preface

Part I: Groundwork
1 Introduction to Pain
2 Introduction to the Nervous System
3 Physiology of the Neuron
4 Occurrence of Pain
5 History of Pain
6 Different Interpretations of Pain
7 Changing Culture of Pain

Part II: Clinical Picture
8 Pathology of Pain
9 Diagnosing Pain
10 Causes of Pain
11 Damaging Effects of Pain
12 Role of Internists and Family Practice Physicians
13 Role of Physical Medicine and Rehab in Pain Care
14 Role of the Pain Management Specialist
15 Congenital Insensitivity to Pain
16 Acute vs. Chronic Pain
17 Occupational Pain
18 Sports-Related Pain
19 Pain from Excessive Movement
20 Pain from Sedentary Lifestyle
21 Pain from Aging

Part IV: Resolutions
22 Troubleshooting Pain
23 Natural Pain Approaches
24 Diets for Pain Relief
25 Exercises for Pain Relief
26 Addressing the Mental Aspects
27 Surgery and other Nonpharmacological Approaches
28 Pharmacological Approaches

Part V: Wrap-up
29 Second Opinions
30 Conclusion
Appendix A: Pain-related Links
Appendix B: Research and Training
Appendix D: Nationally Recognized Pain Clinics
Appendix E: For Further Reading
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index