A Nation in Pain

Healing Our Biggest Health Problem

By: Judy Foreman

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Out of 238 million American adults, 100 million live in chronic pain. And yet the press has paid more attention to the abuses of pain medications than the astoundingly widespread conditions they are intended to treat. Ethically the failure to manage pain better is tantamount to torture. When chronic pain is inadequately treated, it undermines the body and mind. Indeed the risk of suicide for people in chronic pain is twice that of other people. Far more than just a symptom, writes author Judy Foreman, chronic pain can be a disease in its own right--the biggest health problem facing America today.

Published in partnership with the International Association for the Study of Pain, A Nation in Pain offers a sweeping, deeply researched account of the chronic pain crisis, from neurobiology to public policy, and presents practical solutions that are within our grasp today. Drawing on both her personal experience with chronic pain and her background as an award-winning health journalist, she guides us through recent scientific discoveries, including genetic susceptibility to pain; gender disparities in pain conditions and treatments, perhaps linked to estrogen; the problem of undertreated pain in children; the emerging role of the immune system in pain; advances in traditional treatments such as surgery and drugs; and fair-minded assessments of the effectiveness of alternative remedies, including marijuana, acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care.

For many people the real magic bullet, Foreman writes, is exercise. Though many patients fear it will increase their discomfort, studies show it consistently produces improvement, often dramatic. She also explores the destructive "opioid wars", which have led to a misguided demonization of prescription painkillers.

Foreman presents a far-reaching but sensible plan of action, ranging from enhancing pain education in medical schools to reforms of federal policies across the board.

©2014 Judy Foreman (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Swallowed it in 4 days.

What did you love best about A Nation in Pain?

It hit several of my most pressing questions about coping with my and my patient's pain, immediately applicable, and cutting edge research.

Well written, well performed, but 5x too long

The evidence is presented clearly and with nearly the rigor of a peer-reviewed scientific review paper. But far too much information was included. Including 1/3 of the data would have sufficed. And there was a lot of repetition. The performance was great.

Broad but superficial.

Would you try another book from Judy Foreman and/or Karen White?

Maybe.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that it addressed arguably the biggest problem in medicine today.

Any additional comments?

The book was flawed. First, the definition the author used for "pain" - although broadly quoted - is completely inadequate. The IASP definition is neither robust (does not explain the clinical manifestations of 'pain') nor is it clinically useful (does not explain why pain exist or suggest therapeutic interventions). She does mention Melzac and his Body Self Neuromatrix but it is clear she did not read his paper as she her discussion ignores his basic premisses. It is a tragic flaw in that she misses the revolutionary understanding that he presents. Second, she also clearly did not read the BMJ study on the Alexander Technique. This is unfortunate because it is the only study that has found very significant long term benefit for those with chronic back pain, and this without any unwanted effects. If the rest of the book is similar it is a deeply flawed superficial survey that has missed the opportunity to really help those in pain.

Excellent

I learned so much from this book. I am a massage therapist, and learning how pain works more in-depth has been incredibly helpful. There are times it can be little dry and "science-y," but overall it's such a good book.

Biased perspective contradictory to many more recent guidelines

I downloaded this book hoping to gain a greater perspective on how to better manage pain but was ultimately disappointed when the vast majority of the book was focused on attempting to justify the use of opioids for non-cancer related pain which according to many more recent guidelines is an inappropriate use of these medications.