Description:
Almost half of the 35 million Americans who live with chronic pain have not found a way to control their pain effectively. "Pain can be minimized, even when the cause of the pain cannot be removed," writes pain-management specialist (physiatrist) Emile Hiesiger, M.D. He describes an array of medicines and treatments that are available to treat pain effectively and efficiently. "There is no magic bullet," says Hiesiger, "but there is an arsenal of weapons, small and large, that can fight a successful war against chronic pain." Hiesiger, who has been featured on several "best doctors" lists, is the kind of doctor we all search for: passionate and compassionate. He encourages you to complain, describe your pain, get your pain diagnosed, overcome any fear/dislike of medications, explore your options, and go beyond your HMO coverage when necessary. Some alternative treatments can help in conjunction with medication, he says, but expresses impatience with alternative treatments that do not control your pain in the long term. He describes an array of medications, how they work, their side effects, when they're the appropriate choice, and what to expect from them. Then he covers a variety of chronic-pain sites and conditions: headaches; muscles, bones, and joints; back; neuropathic (nerve damage); sports injuries; gynecologic; and cancer. For each, he explain causes of pain (with diagrams), diagnosis, and treatment options. Case studies bring the information home. If chronic pain causes physical and emotional agony for you or a loved one, this book is a must-read. --Joan Price
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