12 Gifts of Knowledge About Chronic Pain

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

Are you looking for a special gift for a loved one over the holidays? How about a gift to yourself?

Every year we like to feature 12 books that help explain what causes chronic pain, possible ways to treat it, and the impact chronic pain has on society. Our list of books is not comprehensive — no list can be on such a complicated subject — but you or a loved one may learn something you didn’t know before.

These and other books can be found in PNN’s Suggested Reading section. I recently added books on spinal surgery, arachnoiditis, knee pain, illicit fentanyl, low dose naltrexone, meditation, fibromyalgia and CBD.

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Taming Chronic Pain by Amy Orr

Scientist and pain sufferer Amy Orr offers practical advice learned from her own journey with chronic pain. “Feeling broken” after years of pain, Orr researched the physical and psychological effects of chronic pain, and shares what she learned in this blunt and sometimes humorous handbook. Orr believes the key to taming chronic pain is to make small changes in your life and become skilled at your body’s response to them.

The Origin of Disease by Carolyn and Christian Merchant, MD

The authors look at the origins of chronic illness by exploring their own family histories and recent research linking many diseases to pathogens and infections. The book challenges many of the concepts of Western medicine by looking at what actually causes diseases and how to cure them — as opposed to just managing their symptoms.

Handbook to Live Well with Adhesive Arachnoiditis by Dr. Forest Tennant

Dr. Forest Tennant, the world’s foremost expert on adhesive arachnoiditis (AA), published this handbook to explain the major causes and symptoms of AA, a progressive disease of the spinal cord. Tennant has successfully used hormone therapy and other groundbreaking treatments to stop the progression of AA, and offers a way forward for intractable pain patients to live well through self-care, exercise, good nutrition, medication and supplements.

Tender Points by Amy Berkowitz

This memoir by Amy Berkowitz details her experiences with fibromyalgia, which she developed as a young woman after a flashback to being sexually assaulted as a child. Berkowitz became convinced of a connection between the rape and her chronic illness, and found support online with other women who shared similar experiences. Berkowitz also recounts how she was mistreated — or not treated — by the healthcare system.

Fentanyl, Inc. by Ben Westhoff

Investigative journalist Ben Westhoff takes a close look at illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, how they are manufactured in China and then smuggled into the United States — where they are now involved in over two-thirds of drug overdose deaths. Westhoff says U.S. drug policy is in “shambles” and poorly equipped to stop the synthetic drug trade, which requires sweeping new public heath initiatives.

The Criminalization of Medicine: America’s War on Doctors by Ronald Libby

This 2008 book remains just as relevant today as it was a decade ago. Author Ronald Libby says U.S. doctors have been turned into criminal scapegoats for the failures of the healthcare industry and the war on drugs. Doctors are prosecuted, fined and harassed by law enforcement for simple billing and record-keeping mistakes, or for treating pain with drugs that non-experts consider excessive or inappropriate.

Do You Really Need Spine Surgery? by Dr. David Hanscom

Retired spine surgeon and PNN columnist Dr. David Hanscom believes most spine operations are unnecessary and often have poor outcomes for patients. Hanscom says back pain is usually the result of normal, age-related conditions that can be addressed through physical therapy and other non-surgical methods.

Saving My Knees by Richard Bedard

In this e-book, journalist Richard Bedard shares his long journey of healing from chronic knee pain. Physical therapy and medication didn’t help and Bedard was fearful of surgery, so he started educating himself about knee pain. He learned that damaged cartilage can be healed and strengthened by simple, daily exercises.

The LDN Book by Linda Elsegood

People around the world are discovering that low doses of naltrexone (LDN) can be used to treat fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue and depression. So why isn’t this affordable and effective drug used more widely? Linda Elsegood of The LDN Research Trust wrote this book to help educate doctors and patients about the untapped potential of naltrexone, which is currently only approved for the treatment of addiction.

Healing with CBD by Eileen Konieczny and Lauren Wilson

You’ve heard the hype about CBD. But does cannabidiol (CBD) really provide pain relief?

This book separates CBD facts from fiction by explaining what CBD is, the science behind it, where to buy quality CBD products, and potential treatments for many common ailments.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement by Eric Garland

University of Utah professor Eric Garland, PhD, has developed a mindfulness training program to treat both pain and opioid dependence. It teaches people how to savor enjoyable experiences, enhance positive emotions, and stop focusing on their physical and emotional pain. Disrupting these negative habits helps people refocus their lives on more positive ways of thinking, which significantly reduces stress, opioid cravings and pain.

Chronic Pain the Drug-Free Way by Phil Sizer

Author Phil Sizer teaches pain management courses for Pain Association Scotland with an emphasis on using self-management skills such as positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, stress reduction and even humor to relieve pain. Sizer has some off-beat suggestions for patients, such as “punking” pain management rules and avoiding “bubble vampires” — people who suck the energy out of you.

If there is a book or publication that's helped you manage or better understand chronic pain, let us know.