Books on Dealing With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a challenging illness that affects millions worldwide. Its relentless grip can disrupt lives physically, emotionally, and socially. Within these challenging times, books become invaluable allies in the quest to understand, manage, and ultimately triumph over chronic pain. They offer insights, empathy, and practical strategies that provide solace and empowerment.

Importance of Books for Medical Staff

Today, doctors’ recommendations have evolved into fundamental pieces of the knowledge they gained via books, which not only influence their own practice but also provide a potential pathway for other patients and healthcare professionals seeking to comprehend and overcome chronic pain. By reading books on dealing with chronic pain, patients benefit from an accessible and effective route to interpret chronic pain and work toward recovery, alleviating the historical challenges that many have grappled with.

This blog will discuss the valuable resources that could help us deal with chronic pain and offer hope for those on this challenging journey.

Burning Rubber by Kathryn Imler

Kathryn Imler, a former Registered Nurse with a diverse background in the medical field, embarked on a remarkable journey that led to her memoir, “Burning Rubber.” Her career spanned medicine, surgery (ward), obstetrics, home care supervision, and even a stint as an Assistant DOC.

“Burning Rubber” takes readers on an emotional journey through the life of a single mother of three and a registered nurse. It all began with a fateful trip to Myanmar, where she accompanied a dying man back to his homeland, leading to a series of life-altering events. Returning to Vancouver, Kathryn’s health took a downward spiral, forcing her to retire from her beloved profession. The memoir dives into the complexities of living with ME/CFS and FM, shedding light on the impact of these conditions.

The book addresses themes of loss of purpose, grief, abuse, PTSD, addiction, recovery, resilience, and courage. It also recounts the author and her husband’s adventurous travels, navigating the challenges of mobility in a wheelchair.

Kathryn was inspired by her journey and her struggle to obtain a proper diagnosis for her condition. She embarked on two trips to Thailand, facing the unique challenges of travelling with a wheelchair.

“Burning Rubber” touches on the parallels between ME/CFS, FM, and Long Covid, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and shedding light on the challenges faced by over one million Canadians diagnosed with these conditions. The book also offers insights into the consequences of long-term opioid use and the often-overlooked issues of tolerance, addiction, hyperalgesia, and allodynia.

Kathryn aims to raise awareness about ME/CFS and FM and educate readers about opioid use and addiction through her memoir. She intends to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, the challenges of adapting to life with a disability, the grief associated with sudden life changes, and the struggles of travelling while disabled. She hopes her book will inspire readers to support research efforts and ultimately find a cure or prevention for these conditions.

“The Pain Chronicles” by Melanie Thernstrom

Melanie Thernstrom’s “The Pain Chronicles” is a journey into pain’s history, science, and cultural aspects. She combines meticulous research with personal accounts to create a captivating narrative. Readers gain a comprehensive understanding of chronic pain, its evolution through time, and its profound influence on individuals and societies. This book shows the power of knowledge amidst the pain.

“Living Well With Pain and Illness” by Vidyamala Burch

In “Living Well With Pain and Illness,” Vidyamala Burch’s journey begins after two serious spinal injuries, thrusting her into the isolating world of disability and chronic pain. With scarce resources and skills at her disposal, she does not surrender; instead, she embarks on a courageous mission to confront her physical challenges with compassion, acceptance, and tranquillity. The book shares the invaluable insights gleaned from her lifelong endeavour, illustrating how mindfulness can empower individuals to flourish amidst various health adversities.

Drawing upon over a decade of teaching meditation and a lifetime of studying the merits of mindful living, Vidyamala imparts wisdom and guidance on multiple fronts, including the transformative five-step model of mindfulness and its application in fostering healing. Additionally, readers are introduced to the Breathworks approach to meditation, offering practical strategies to address health issues like migraines, arthritis, and chronic fatigue. Through step-by-step techniques, illuminating illustrations, and compelling case studies, the book reveals how to seamlessly integrate mindfulness into everyday existence.

Chronic pain, often described as the silent epidemic of the modern world, takes a significant toll both financially and emotionally. While billions are expended annually in pursuit of relief, Vidyamala Burch posits that the most potent and cost-effective solution may be found in the art of mindful living. “Living Well With Pain and Illness” is a unique blend of inspirational memoir and pragmatic guide, offering readers a transformative path to reshaping their relationship with physical and emotional suffering.

“The Pain Survival Guide” by Dennis Turk and Frits Winter

For those seeking proven strategies to manage chronic pain, “The Pain Survival Guide” is an indispensable resource. Dennis Turk and Frits Winter present evidence-based techniques to regain control over life, reduce the impact of pain, and enhance overall well-being. This guidebook equips readers with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges of chronic pain.

“The Mindbody Prescription” by Dr. John E. Sarno

Dr. John Sarno’s groundbreaking work challenges conventional wisdom by exploring the profound connection between chronic pain and emotional factors. In “The Mindbody Prescription,” he introduces the concept of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) and offers a fresh perspective on how psychological factors can influence physical pain. This book is a catalyst for understanding the complex interplay between mind and body in the context of pain.

“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown

While not exclusively focused on chronic pain, Brené Brown’s “The Gifts of Imperfection” offers profound insights into embracing vulnerability and imperfection. Her messages of self-compassion, resilience, and authenticity resonate deeply with individuals facing chronic conditions. Brown’s work inspires readers to find strength in vulnerability and to harness their inner power in the face of adversity.

The Bottom Line

Books on dealing with chronic pain are more than collections of words; they provide hope and sources of empowerment, serving as invaluable resources to understand the complexities of chronic pain and offer practical strategies for improvement.

In the world of chronic pain, these books become allies, reminding us that even in adversity, knowledge and resilience can light the way forward. Burning Rubber by Kathryn Larouche is a powerful memoir that not only chronicles the author’s journey but also raises awareness about the often ‘unseen’ medical illnesses.

Grab your copy today!