Lalkhen Abdul-Ghaaliq. An Anatomy of Pain: How the Body and the Mind Experience and Endure Physical Suffering

Scribner Book Company, 2021. — 503 p. — ISBN: 978-1-9821-6099-9.Written by a medical expert trained as an anesthesiologist, An Anatomy of Pain is the first book to clearly explain the current issues and complexities surrounding the treatment of pain and how society deals with those in pain, as well as how our bodies relate to pain. Common conception still equates pain with tissue damage but that is only a very small part of the story — the organ which produces pain is the brain. Case studies show that a woman who has undergone a C-section reports dramatically less pain than a patient who has had kidney stones removed in a similarly invasive operation. The soldier who drags himself or herself to safety after being shot deals with pain in a remarkably different way from someone suffering a similar injury on a street. The truth is that pain is a complex mix of nerve endings, psychological state, social preconceptions, and situational awareness. Filled with case studies and medical history, this enlightening book offers a crash course in all aspects of pain, from chronic to acute, and walks us through the current landscape of pain treatments — from medication (including opioids) to electrical nerve stimulation. Whether it’s a mild ache or severe discomfort, we all encounter pain in our lives and this important and illuminating book allows us to master the art of caring and coping with an experience that for so many can become all-consuming.Introduction: An Unexpected Journey.
How Does Pain Work?
A Brief History of Pain.
Give Me Something for the Pain…
The Line between Pleasure and Pain: Opioids and Addiction.
Pain with No Injury.
Pain Management: Needles, Narcotics, and Knives.
A Journey of a Thousand Miles…
Torpedo Fish.
Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.
Show Me the Money: Private Pain Practice.
Conclusion: The Beginning of the End.