Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief - by Barbara K. Bruce Ph.D.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief by Barbara K. Bruce Ph.D. L.P. from the Mayo clinic provides useful information for patients coping with chronic pain. She is joined by several specialists from the Mayo clinic who discuss the drug treatments and other aspects of pain management. I have recommended it to several people where chronic pain is a daily part of their life.

Many chronic pain sufferers look to surgeries, medical treatments, or pills to get rid of their pain. Often these prove to be unsuccessful. At some point the person may need to accept that pain will be a continuing part of their life. What can be done to not allow the to be in control and restrict activities? How can they get relief from pain when it is too painful to sleep.

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that adequate sleep, flexibility, strength, and nutrition are the keys to managing pain effectively.  They also recommend meditation, yoga, and tai chi. Figuring out the right pace and the right program to gradually get better is one of the keys.  The researchers recommend keeping a daily journal to monitor progress.

The advice in this book is similar the program I followed as I worked to rehabilitate myself from a severe medical problem that restricted my ability to walk for a few months. With the help of family, the support of coworkers, and physical therapists I was able to walk again even though it was painful. The researchers would like people to find meaning in pain as they work to get better. I now do routine exercises to maintain fitness. The information from this program offered by the Great Courses has spurred me on to work on increasing strength and flexibility rather than maintaining it.

Mayo pain relief - 1 min. 

Mayo Clinic - pain management - 2 min. 

Mayo Clinic - Ideas for managing pain - 2 min.