Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief: How to Better Manage Pain and Regain Function

The Great Courses

by Wesley P. Gilliam, Bruce Sutor

Are you tired of living with chronic pain? Do you want to move past it and live a full, meaningful life? Then this comprehensive guide from chronic-pain experts at Mayo Clinic is for you. It explains how pain develops, how it can become chronic, and what you can do to free yourself from chronic pain's effects. The book is based on the take-charge pain management program at Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center that has helped thousands of people for over forty years. Inside you'll find practical, easy-to-understand information to help you regain your function so that you can be more active, productive, and comfortable. This third edition of Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief includes the latest information on pain science and chronic pain management, including the following:

• The brain's role in the experience of pain
• How behaviors and beliefs affect pain
• How to shift the focus away from pain and toward a focus on living well
• The benefits and risks of medications, injections, and other medical treatments
• The role of pain specialists, pain clinics, and pain rehabilitation programs
• Exercise as a key part of pain management
• Balance and moderation as key habit sustainers
• The power of a positive approach

Use the thoroughly researched, effective, science-based methods contained here to start living better today!

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medical, Audiobook, Bodies, Science, Medicine

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2014

Reviews

[Michael Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This article from the NYT covers some essential points from the book,

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/sm...

[Jim Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start with the last question I usually answer when I review a book/course I have just completed. WHO SHOULD READ THE BOOK OR TAKE THE COURSE?

At first you might think that since YOU have no pain, taking this course is not necessary but the course is NOT entirely just about YOU. As it turns out, the course is not only about a person experiencing chronic pain but also about that person’s support group. Therefore, the course may be for you if you are a family member or friend of someone experiencing chronic pain or if you are the person experiencing the chronic pain.

Dr. Bruce is a Pain Psychologist. To understand why that is important to this course and ultimately you, you must first understand what “chronic pain” is. Chronic pain are pains that typically last more than 3 months meaning you may injure a knee but the pain usually subsides and you resume your daily activities in less than 3 months. There are pains such as back pains, severe headaches, and even continued knee, hip, ankle, shoulder and neck pains that may persist and actually never completely go away. This course addresses chronic pains and what can be done when all other corrective measures have been exhausted.

Why did I take this course? I have had chronic back pain for over 6 years and it has curtailed many of the activities I engaged in prior to the onslaught of the pain in my lower back. I wanted to learn more about chronic pain and what my options were in combating it. If you are in a similar situation, this course is for you. If you are a family member or good friend of someone experiencing chronic pain this course is also for you. My guess is that if you plan to live beyond 60 years old, this course WILL be important for you. I remember the day when I would watch older people struggle with just walking and would wonder how they arrived at such a fate for them. Then I became that “older person” and now I know how they feel.

At times all seems lost. Yes there are people with far worse ailments in their lives than I have in mine but what gets lost in that type of attitude is that the ailments I am experiencing are my ailments and yes they have curtailed a great many of the activities I once performed. Now just walking becomes a problem at times. I tell you this as a form of disclaimer and more importantly to emphasize what someone can learn from this course to help them live a more happier and productive life.

The course sets out a plan to deal with a person’s new normal that includes chronic pain. It emphasizes not only that you establish specific goals it helps you determine what those goals should be. It explains pain, sometimes with terms that completely go over my head but the overall explanation is actually easy to understand in spite of those medical terms. The course lays out various treatment options for chronic pain that are currently available including medications one probably has already taken. Then when all measures seem to have failed, the course lays out a plan to learn to make lifestyle alterations to live that happier and more productive life.

If YOU have chronic pain or if you know of someone else who has chronic pain, this course should be a must take for both of you. For the person with the pain, it will help create that better life. For the other person it will help them understand what the person with the chronic pain is going through and more importantly what that person is thinking and the emotional crisis that may be caused by the chronic pain.

This is a GREAT course. As I said, on occasion it was over my head in regards to the medical terms interspersed throughout the course but the content was not affected by my not being able to recall the various names given to body parts that are affected and controlled by pain. Did it help me? Absolutely. Who should take the course? Anyone with lingering pains or knows of someone with lingering pains that they may be in a position to help. Anyone who plans to live long enough to where physical and mental pain may become a basic part of their life and that would include just about everyone.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A common sense guide to handling chronic pain. It doesn't have a lot of new insights unless you have never researched the subject before but it does give good, concise and practical advise for all of us who suffer from chronic pain and would care to not use or at least use less meds. Worth a listen.

[Peter Farness · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pamphlet from the Mayo Clinic is written in plain language and surveys a lot of concepts for managing chronic pain. It is written for a lot of different audiences dealing with different syndromes; it's very general. So not everything applied. And, I think since the 2010's, when this book was produced, we've been discovering more and more that some syndromes presented herein may have primarily pathogenic etiologies not previously suspected, as opposed to the neuropathic etiologies generally assumed here. However, there's a lot of sound health psychology here. There are some outstanding behavioral suggestions as well. However, you might want to look at some of the concepts surveyed elsewhere if you need to go in more depth.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief is a reference tool for how to manage, reduce and control chronic pain. There is some interesting information for the technical aspect of pain (how it works/is created in the body). The tips for dealing with the emotions and behaviors associated with chronic pain are basic and a general blanket answer given to people that are often not helpful. It would serve as a good introduction to explaining pain to someone but not helpful for someone who is living with chronic pain.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[b.pramod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide book on how to manage chronic pain and lead a satisfying life ! As a 74 year-old man with osteoarthritis, I find the guidance contained in the book very useful and practical. It helps to understand pain and various steps one can take to reduce it, as also to live without allowing some of the incurable pain to overshadow one's life.
Heartfelt thanks to the Mayo team for their compassionate work in publishing this practical guidebook !

[Becky And · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Mayo Clinic Program on their approach to their world famous 6 week in Hospital Program that teaches how to manage chronic pain without drugs. As a chronic pain individual for years to not being able to move this holds promise for me as a new way to manage rather than referral after referral and medication

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good tool to reference, but nothing groundbreaking. Some of the tips for dealing with the emotions and managing "pain behaviors" annoyed/frustrated me, but mainly because those recommendations are quite unhelpful for me personally and not because they are inherently horrid for everyone

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief: How to Better Manage Pain and Regain Function
By Wesley P. Gilliam, Bruce Sutor, narrated by Nano Nagle

By my early twenties I had developed osteoarthritis. Many decades later it affects most of my body but I've gotten along pretty well most of the time although I've had some long periods where my hips bother me in ways that interfere with my daily life. About twenty five years ago I was one happy camper because I was prescribed Vioxx and that drug made a huge difference in pain relief. Then a few years later the drug was taken off the market due to the harm it could cause to the body. Since then I mostly avoid any prescription drugs if possible and have made use of many of the things you can do on your own, that this book mentions. Eventually I may need both hips replaced but for now I'm able to be active and can deal with the discomfort when it hits. But I know that there is a limit to how much I can allow the pain to increase if I cannot find relief from it. I'd prefer not to resort to strong drugs and at this time, after hearing the list of drugs, what they can do, and their side effects, I want to continue to make use of the other ways to deal with chronic pain that this book mentions.

About the narrator, Nano Nagle: She has such a pleasant voice that I know I want to listen to her narrate more books. That voice made listening to this pain management book so much easier than a more robotic voice. She was a great choice and even though I listened to the book at the speed of 1.5 (usually I listen to fiction at 1.2/1.25) it was very easy to absorb all that she said.

Not every chapter of this book will be a fit for every person although I did get something from each of the chapters. Never having kids, the chapter on teens with chronic pain might have been one I could have skipped but I was interested in it since my hip pain had its beginning when I was a teen. My parents were never involved in my body pains, they were very busy working long hours at a self owned business. It was interesting hearing how parents could help or hinder their children who have chronic pain. Even though my parents weren't active in helping me because the doctor said my pains were "growing pains" so were supposed to go away with time, my parents were also too busy to hinder me in the ways some parents might have done by hovering over the teen.

All types of pain medicines are described and that part of the book left me knowing I'm glad that I've developed a team of doctors who know I don't want drugs thrown at me willy nilly. If I take a prescription drug, I want to know why I'm taking it, the risks and limitations, and for how long the treatment is meant to go on. The book mentions these concerns and makes clear how important it is to be an active partner by understanding why you might take a prescription drug or undertake any of the many other types of treatments out there. Also mentioned is the fact that there are those who will tout "cures" where there are no cures. When a person has been living with chronic pain for a very long time, it can be easy to want to grab at the "sure cure", but we have to be discerning at all times.

What I do, all the time, is incorporate healthy eating and exercise on a daily basis and the book stresses the importance of these habits. I also try to get good sleep, which the book stresses. I do have sleep problems so I'm getting help with that part of my life. My hip pain makes my sleep problems worse but also being exhausted makes my hip problems worse. The book mentions how having a well balanced life and moderation can help a person to deal with their chronic pain better. For me, this book underlines things I know I'm doing right but it also highlights areas where I can do a lot better. I need those reminders and it also helps to have a better idea of the options out there now to help one deal with pain. The authors also talk about how important it is to communicate with your health care professionals but also with your family and friends. Chronic pain can cause a person to isolate and stop doing what is important to them and it can also cause those who know that person to pull back from them because they don't know how they should act towards someone with chronic pain.

A PDF can be downloaded to go with this book.

Publication February 6, 2024

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a person who has dealt with chronic pain for decades, I was excited to see this audio book. After listening to it, I will do my best to say something nice about this book length ad for the Mayo Clinic's pain rehab program, written by two psychiatrists who work there.

First, the narrators, Leanne Woodward and Nano Nagle were a delight to listen to. I'm definitely interested in finding other books that either of them have narrated. I tend to listen to audio books at between 2x and 3x speed and I never had any trouble understanding the narration.

I'm disgusted that the authors chose to have hire narrators with British accents to read their book, taking advantage of the known tendency for Americans to believe anything said to them in that accent is smarter and more true.

Most of the first half of the book contains really simplified, dumbed-down definitions that occur around chronic pain treatment and how chronic and acute are different words. If you are new to dealing with chronic pain or are a parent or caregiver to someone who is now in chronic pain, these definitions are likely to be useful as place to launch your own research from. The Mayo pediatric pain rehab program, where patients are told pain is all in their head, is also pushed pretty hard as the solution to your teen's chronic pain problems.

The second half of the book mainly focuses on the psychiatry of pain management. Also, it's not a bad primer and place to start, especially if you are one of the lucky folks who are likely to be in chronic pain for that magic 3 month to 1 year duration. It does feel like a schedule for how inpatient psychiatric treatment at the Mayo Clinic pain rehab clinic works. Many of the techniques in the book are used across the board in chronic pain management, and can be used in many settings with success, not just at Mayo and not just with a psychiatrist. In my experience, you never need a psychiatrist for any of the techniques.

Would I pay money for this book? No, I already have the tools that are presented here and I was offended by the tone of the material (not the narrators! I loved the narrators). Would I recommend it to someone else? Also no, but more because I already know of the reputation (both good and bad) and problems that abound with both this particular pain rehab program and others like it.

Thank you Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audio book prior to its release.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this book, I was concerned it would be too basic for it to be useful for me. I have already read a fair amount on the subject and gone through much treatment. My concern was unwarranted though as this course did a solid job of going beyond very basic descriptions to providing more information. The best lecture was on common pain conditions where Dr. Bruce provided ample detail on central sensitization, which is a condition not yet well discussed. Dr. Bruce's discussion of what pain is and how it works was also well done and better done than I had previously seen. These lectures were carefully thought out and they provided more detail than one could find on the internet.

I was disappointed that there was nearly an entire lecture dedicated to encouraging the reader to go to a pain rehabilitation program like the one at Mayo Clinic. I had no problem with there being some discussion of this as it is helpful information; however, the discussion went on for too long and it felt more like a promotional ad than useful information. I was also disappointed that the last lecture is PT exercises and a relaxation exercise. While these items are useful and I am glad they are included, it felt like we weren't given as much as we could have been since lecture 12 is not a lecture. In other Great Courses, either things like this are incorporated into the lecture in which they are relevant or they are attached at the end as an appendix. I would have prefered one of these options. The most important lecture on how to create one's own pain rehabilitation program did not feel sufficient to truly start and stick to such a program, though I suspect if someone was dedicated enough and used the supplemental written materials, they likely could develop such a program. I, unfortunately, checked this out from the library which did not allow much time to listen to this program and I was thus unable to spend sufficient time relistening to that lecture, going through the exercises, and using the supplemental material. I have mixed feelings about whether it makes sense to purchase this program, though I highly suggest that if one does to purchase the video version for there is much added in the visual lectures. I do however recommend this to pain patients and caregivers, even if it is a refresher, as I suspect there will be something new in this course for most listeners.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was listened to as an audiobook and I was quite excited by the subject matter.
The book was broken up into chapters and covered things like help with your teen, different drug categories and what they do, and the things that you can do to help alleviate chronic pain, such as exercise, diet and support.

While this may be a good strong starting base for those people who have either been recently diagnosed or are coming to terms with the fact that their life will be altered with chronic pain, it didn't unfortunately tell me much that I didn't already know. I am no expert in this field but a healthy body and mind is a staple for any condition and not really groundbreaking news. I was a little bit disappointed in the fact that there was nothing really new.

Some chapters, especially the opening one, were an interesting read but others, such as the ones solely on different medications, scientific names for the drugs and their side effects, were not interesting audiobook listening at all. This book as a research book, where you could look up the information that you need at the time would be a much better selling point than an audio copy where you are very likely to tune out after scientific name after scientific names are thrown out there.

The chapters on supporting your teen, I found a little odd as surely this would apply to younger children and supporting other family members just as well as a teen. There is some good advice about supporting those you love and helping them cope with their lifestyle of pain. If the word teen wasn't said 2 or 3 times in each sentence it might have made listening a tad less grating.

The narrators did a fantastic job, especially with the medically correct drug names.

All in all, nothing really new and groundbreaking for me although for others in a new situation or supporting role may find this a useful research book.

My thanks to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ethereal Amorist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief​ by ​Wesley P. Gilliam; Bruce Sutor, M.D.
Narrated by Leanne Woodward; Nano Nagle

​Thank you to Netgalley, Wesley P. Gilliam; Bruce Sutor, M.D., and Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is an audio book with the key to relieving pain - chronic or otherwise - through both traditional and modern methods. It talks about how pain occurs, why we feel pain in the first place, its mechanisms, and objectives. The book also educates on the side effects of pain - mentally and emotionally - for both the person experiencing it and their family. It provides healthy coping mechanisms, solutions, and medications. It informs on how a person should be treated while they are suffering from pain.

The book also contains a detailed list of medicines used for different kinds of pain, their effects, side effects, and dosage, while cautioning that it is important not to self-diagnose. It also talks about the safe disposal of used or unused medicines.

The book also includes additional methods such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, reiki, etc., to relieve chronic pain along with regular medications.

It advises on how to balance our lives while experiencing pain and how not to succumb to negativity during this experience.

The narrator's pronunciation was clear and perfect for the audio book. Her voice felt soothing while I listened to it while doing my daily chores.

The only drawback I felt was that most of the medicines and methods suggested in this book largely apply to American residents. The tips and advice may apply universally, but the specific knowledge provided may not apply to people in other countries.

Regardless, this is a great book to learn about the process of how we feel pain and how to balance our lives without being crippled by it.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief: How to Better Manage Pain and Regain Function (3rd Edition) by Wesley P. Gilliam & Bruce Sutor, M.D.
Narrated by Leanne Woodward & Nano Nagle
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press
Genre: Health, Mind & Body, Nonfiction (Adult)
Expected Publication Date: February 6, 2024

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief is a standalone resource for pain management. It is definitely a resource, but it really didn’t scream new information. There was a lot of discussion on SMART goals and I was hoping for more tips on how to relieve pain and not just live with it.

I was really annoyed with the narration. The Mayo Clinic is an American medical establishment, and they chose a very British narrator. I don’t know if it was meant to make the book sound “smarter”, but it felt pretentious, and I was annoyed by the British pronunciation of words…it felt like listening to AI read a book with the mispronunciations.

By the end of the book, I felt like the message was suck it up, don’t feel sorry for yourself, and try these things. I was hoping for more information on the things I can do to help my pain versus how to life my best life with pain.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn Bogart · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a person with chronic pain I was hoping that the updated version would have some newer information that I was not aware of. It did not. This book may be informative for someone who is new to chronic pain or has a loved one with chronic pain. However as someone who already lives with chronic pain and has been trying different treatments for years, the book fell flat. I did not feel any sort of hope of anything changing for me after reading it. It just felt like, I have pain and I have to deal with it. It really is a rehash of treatments, what they are like, and pushing the fact that opioids are dangerous. So overall a disappointment to me.

For a new reader to this book, I would not recommend the audiobook version. It does come with a PDF of exercises which was not available with the review copy, so I can not be sure of all of the information available on it; there is a lot of information in the book that one would need to see in writing. This includes names and spellings of medications and treatments. and possible resources that one may wish to look up. These may be available on the PDF, but I am not sure so it is safer to read the print/e-book version.

[Marisa Russello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the audiobook version of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief. The narrator's voice was fine to listen to and didn't bother me, though I did have to increase the speed, which is not typical for me. The book is supposed to come with exercises, so I think a printed version would probably be best to read.

I've had chronic pain most of my life, starting when I was a long distance runner in high school, 20+ years ago. Since I've tried many types of treatments over my life, the book disappointed me. I think it would be better suited for someone newly diagnosed with chronic pain who's less familiar with treatments and terminology. This book told me a lot of what I already knew and didn't provide much hope for resolving my problems. I expected to find more ideas and suggestions on how to deal with and relieve my chronic pain.

[Anisha Inkspill · Rating 3 out of 5]

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for letting me share my honest opinions of this audiobook.

This is the book I wish I had years back to help me understand how manoeuvre through the health system, chronic pain sits in one of those grey areas, and it was confusing and more complicated than it needed to be, so having this book would have just helped in so many other ways. I say this as it’s written more to show how the process works, not really how to manage it, which I would have liked more of.

But I’m not really the reader for this one, a large part of it covers medication for chronic pain, I tend to use the more holistic approach, which is covered here but not as much.

So, it’s not perfect, but this medical space is not perfect, there’s a lot of work to be done, so reading this would be just a good place to start.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, Mayo Clinic, and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. This book is a good review of pain, both acute and chronic, and the many treatment options available. The book describes first pain in teenagers and then in adults and how different things in life can affect a person’s pain level, such as sleep, routines, medications, etc. This book does give the great advice of finding a excellent team of doctors who will believe that your pain is real and have research based standards of care to treat your pain appropriately. This book is a good primer for anyone interested pain and a small sample of the available treatments, but I felt like it ended somewhat abruptly even though the authors did seem to try to have a wrap up chapter.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed - which I guess is my usual response anymore to "pain relief" books, since I've read so many and rarely found any new information. This guide is fine, especially for those who may be new to chronic pain/illness, but it doesn't offer any new information. And frankly, some of the information it does offer is condescending and cruel - that medication shouldn't be "relied on," that you should be able to just "positive think" your way out of pain, etc. The usual tripe we get served by medical specialists and well-meaning but clueless family and friends, all of whom have never experienced chronic pain or chronic illness themselves and have NO IDEA what it's like to struggle EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. with no end in sight.

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara K. Bruce presents helpful information regarding chronic pain. She presents lectures explaining how the body registers pain and the influence that pain has in your life. Many different ways to ease pain are presented.

I found the lecture that included pain and sleep helpful. It explained why when I am having a migraine I do not get good rest at night and how that creates a vicious cycle.

Professor Bruce will use other speakers to provide information on specific areas. I found her voice comforting, which would be important if someone was in a lot of pain and listening to these lectures.

[MissSusie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book up until the 75% mark then I felt that it got a bit preachy and talked a lot about BMI which I feel is junk science and then told you not to be a burden on your friends and family and that is where it lost me.

I did get some ideas out of it and I liked the chapter on pain clinic visits and what to ask and ideas.

The narration by Leanne Woodward; Nano Nagle was well done.

Like I said 75% of this book was good, I could have done without the last 25%.

3 stars

I received this audiobook from the publisher Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

[Matthew Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair guide to managing pain that covers a fair amount of surface level advise. I liked the references to multiple management approaches and other Great Courses such as one I previously listened to on cognitive behavioral theory.

I am skeptical if this series went into enough detail to be truly helpful for those struggling. Also, similar to many other Great Courses series I thought a bit too much time was spent iterating the ‘goals’ of the course and what they were going to cover and not enough time ACTUALLY coving the material and providing supporting detail.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for a select group of people. If you are a person who is new to chronic pain then the Mayo Clinic's guide will likely be very informative and helpful. But if you've been dealing with your pain for a while, this probably won't be too insightful.

I'm a healthcare provider and I help many people with chronic pain syndromes. There are tips/suggestions in this book that I will incorporate in my treatment plans with these patients.

[Dan Durrant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but nothing earth shattering. In a nutshell, for a better life (less pain, less weight, less depression, more enjoyment, more satisfaction, and a longer life), do this:
Eat less (portion control), eat better (more fruits and veggies, less breads and processed crap), move more (30 minutes a day), and practice any vices in moderation.

Simple, yes. Now, if it were only easy.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the plans in this book and am going to get it for the Kindle. Allopathic medicine can be good for some things, but soothing chronic pain without dire side effects is better suited to alternative and complementary methods.

[Hayley Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Dreamscape and the Mayo Clinic for this audio copy. Its an extremely useful audio to listen to if you suffer chronic pain and if you want to take less painkillers and try to find an alternative way of relieving your pain.

[Ginger Essink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely valuable for managing chronic pain of any kind.

[Ida Aasebøstøl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Basal selvhjelp. Kunne godt vært oppdatert. Og mer inspirerende.

[Lisa Butterworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent solid advice. I also recommend Burch's You Are Not Your Pain.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's OK, has some info on the topic, but also feels a bit like some pamphlet from the waiting room.