Books on  Pain Management

It’s a human condition that few avoid. It cripples both physically and mentally. In a word it’s “pain”. Fortunately, I’ve had only a few encounters with this beast. But, each experience--whether awake or in slumber-- has been excruciating.

My first introduction to the beast was self-inflicted. I chose to have a LAUP operation to correct a sleep apnea problem. What I had been led to believe would be a “little sore throat” was actually a three-week misery of unrelenting pain. Of course, loved ones and friends were at first sympathetic but they wanted to move on. They weren’t in the same intimate and constant relationship with the beast as I. There was no alternative but silent coping. In an article about sleep disorders in the most recent “American Legion” magazine, a woman—a mother, no less---said that her LAUP operation was “…worse than giving birth to 5 children simultaneously.”

My last---and I really do hope it will be the last--- experience with pain was the result of a bicycle accident last summer. While making a corner, I was forced off the road, up onto the side shoulder, and head-first into a utility pole. Had I not been wearing a helmet, my head would have been split open like a crushed watermelon. As it was, my helmet was cracked in half.

In such an accident, the body is in too much shock to register any particular location of pain. At first, I hurt all over. A few days later, however, the pain became localized. The beast was gnawing on my left shoulder. Sleep was afforded by sitting upright with pillows between my arm and my body. Pain relievers were of no use. Fortunately, a diagnosis was finally offered and with that—and several more weeks of mending—the pain diminished and the beast departed.

The Library has a number of books to help people who are suffering pain better understand their condition and treat---or live with—it. Jennifer Schneider is an M.D. with a specialty in pain management. In her book, “Living with Chronic Pain” she offers expert advice and guidance in everyday language on the symptoms, causes, and treatments of pain.

“60 Second Chronic Pain Relief” by Dr. Peter Lehndorff teaches the reader “The quickest ways to soften the throb, cool the burn, and ease the ache.” He recommends that sufferers follow their doctor’s orders; stay positive; practice relaxation and visualization; be careful of habits; stay active and exercise; keep track of improvements; do things for others; rest when necessary; believe in something; and believe in yourself.

Other new books on pain management include: “Frozen Shoulder Work Book: Trigger point therapy for overcoming pain & regaining range of motion” by Calir Davies. “Diet for a Pain-Free Life: A revolutionary plan to lose weight, end inflammation, stop pain, sleep better, and feel great in 21 days” by Harris H. McIlwain. “Arthritis Rx: A cutting-edge program for a pain-free life” by Vad Vijay. And, “10 Simple Solutions to Chronic Pain: How to stop pain from controlling your life” by Blake H.Tearnan.

A local author, Irene O’Brien, will be holding a book signing at the Library today, Sunday, June 3rd, from 1:30 PM until 3:30 PM. Her book, “Indentured Love” takes the reader to the 1770’s when it was common for the English and Europeans to indenture themselves to escape the miseries of their situations and be transported to the colonies in the Americas. The price was generally 7 years of labor for those desperate enough to leave everything in the old country and start afresh. Mrs. O’Brien has written a love story about Bryant Taylor, an indentured criminal, and Maureen, a young woman from a tobacco plantation-owing family. This is the author’s second book of fiction. Her first book, read by many, is entitled “The Bandit’s Lady”.