Chronic Pain

'Buy this book and make sure your doctor reads it too!' Dr Steve Gilbert, former Lead Clinician for Chronic Pain in ScotlandChronic pain is much more common than you might think - it affects nearly one-fifth of the population. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that continues for longer than three months. It has a variety of causes including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, accidents or operations, although sometimes there is no apparent cause.Many people suffering from chronic pain have been told by medical professionals that they are sorry, but 'there's nothing more we can do for you', leaving them feeling abandoned and isolated. If you have been told this, or you think this news may be in your future, then this book is for you.Self-management is an important approach to coping better and managing this long term condition. Written with humour, and making use of cartoons and line drawings, the new edition of this popular and much-loved book encapsulates 20 years of pain management courses given by Phil Sizer at Pain Association Scotland to patients, GPs, and other health professionals. Divided into three sections (Understanding, Managing, Coping), its approach is based on a holistic, bio-psycho-social model of health including CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), positive psychology, relaxation, hypnotherapy, motivational interviewing and coaching.From understanding what pain is (and isn't) to managing flare-ups, challenging your beliefs, getting more sleep and relaxation, to accepting help and learning how to be a person again - not a condition - this book shows how things can improve, become different, and most importantly, so much better.

A fantastic resource for people with pain, those close to them and also for professionals., The lived experience of those with chronic pain who have been helped by Phil shines through, and will inspire hope in others that they too can reclaim what matters to them. I strongly recommend this book both to patients affected by chronic pain and clinicians who look after them., This book is simple to read, will help patients to live well with their pain, reconnect with their own values, and change the direction their pain seems to be driving them in., I found it to be engaging, easy to read and easy to understand. And pain is a complex issue which requires a lot of understanding... a must-have for healthcare providers everywhere., A lovely book, with a gentle and encouraging style. A welcome addition in the desert of kindly, supportive self-management books for chronic pain.

Phil Sizer has a passion for bringing the topics of pain management to life. His programs, which combine techniques from several important therapeutic approaches, have helped hundreds of people in thousands of sessions. He has been running Pain Management courses in Scotland for over 20 years.