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Mastering Chronic Pain: How Peak Resilience Unlocks Your Potential
Still in pain, even after trying everything? You’re not broken, and you’re not alone.
Living with chronic pain can feel endless and exhausting, especially when nothing seems to help. Mastering Chronic Pain offers hope and a new path forward.
In this clear and compassionate guide, orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Matthew Bennett, MD and pain specialist Dr. Sahar Swidan, PharmD introduce an approach grounded in neuroscience and functional medicine. Instead of masking pain, they show how to work with your body’s biological systems to promote real healing.
This book isn’t about “toughing it out” or chasing the next pill. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in your body and learning how to support your recovery.
Inside, you’ll pain can continue long after an injury has healedHow to retrain your brain and reset your nervous systemThe hidden role of hormones, inflammation, and immunityNon-medication tools that actually support long-term healingA step-by-step guide to your personalized Resilience Code
Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply ready to try something new, Mastering Chronic Pain offers clear guidance grounded in science and decades of experience helping patients become victors over chronic pain.
You don’t have to wait for the pain to stop to start living again. Your healing can begin today.
Readers are loving this practical guide on mastering chronic
"While it cannot magically take away pain, it did give me tools, perspectives, and validation that I’ve been searching for." – Netgalley Reviewer
"It is written in a way that feels supportive, like the authors truly understand the emotional and physical toll chronic pain takes." – Netgalley Reviewer
"For anyone who feels dismissed, misunderstood, or simply exhausted from living with pain, I would recommend this book." – Netgalley Reviewer
"..the book reminded me that I can be an active participant in my own healing journey." – Netgalley Reviewer
Living with chronic pain can feel endless and exhausting, especially when nothing seems to help. Mastering Chronic Pain offers hope and a new path forward.
In this clear and compassionate guide, orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Matthew Bennett, MD and pain specialist Dr. Sahar Swidan, PharmD introduce an approach grounded in neuroscience and functional medicine. Instead of masking pain, they show how to work with your body’s biological systems to promote real healing.
This book isn’t about “toughing it out” or chasing the next pill. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in your body and learning how to support your recovery.
Inside, you’ll pain can continue long after an injury has healedHow to retrain your brain and reset your nervous systemThe hidden role of hormones, inflammation, and immunityNon-medication tools that actually support long-term healingA step-by-step guide to your personalized Resilience Code
Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply ready to try something new, Mastering Chronic Pain offers clear guidance grounded in science and decades of experience helping patients become victors over chronic pain.
You don’t have to wait for the pain to stop to start living again. Your healing can begin today.
Readers are loving this practical guide on mastering chronic
"While it cannot magically take away pain, it did give me tools, perspectives, and validation that I’ve been searching for." – Netgalley Reviewer
"It is written in a way that feels supportive, like the authors truly understand the emotional and physical toll chronic pain takes." – Netgalley Reviewer
"For anyone who feels dismissed, misunderstood, or simply exhausted from living with pain, I would recommend this book." – Netgalley Reviewer
"..the book reminded me that I can be an active participant in my own healing journey." – Netgalley Reviewer
- GenresNonfiction
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2025
Living with chronic pain can feel like a constant uphill battle, and most books I have read on the subject either oversimplify the reality or lean too heavily on one approach. Mastering Chronic Pain by Dr. Sahara Swidan and Dr. Matthew Bennett struck a balance that I deeply appreciated. It combines medical expertise with compassion, and it does not dismiss the complexity of what people like me experience on a daily basis.
The book breaks down different pain management strategies in a way that feels approachable but still rooted in solid science. It covers both conventional treatments and integrative options, which I found refreshing since pain rarely has a one-size-fits-all solution. I especially valued the focus on empowering the patient. Rather than making me feel like my only role was to follow instructions, the book reminded me that I can be an active participant in my own healing journey.
While it cannot magically take away pain, it did give me tools, perspectives, and validation that I’ve been searching for. It is written in a way that feels supportive, like the authors truly understand the emotional and physical toll chronic pain takes.
For anyone who feels dismissed, misunderstood, or simply exhausted from living with pain, I would recommend this book. It may not replace medical care, but it can help you navigate the overwhelming amount of information out there and offer some hope that managing pain is possible.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The book breaks down different pain management strategies in a way that feels approachable but still rooted in solid science. It covers both conventional treatments and integrative options, which I found refreshing since pain rarely has a one-size-fits-all solution. I especially valued the focus on empowering the patient. Rather than making me feel like my only role was to follow instructions, the book reminded me that I can be an active participant in my own healing journey.
While it cannot magically take away pain, it did give me tools, perspectives, and validation that I’ve been searching for. It is written in a way that feels supportive, like the authors truly understand the emotional and physical toll chronic pain takes.
For anyone who feels dismissed, misunderstood, or simply exhausted from living with pain, I would recommend this book. It may not replace medical care, but it can help you navigate the overwhelming amount of information out there and offer some hope that managing pain is possible.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
August 30, 2025
As someone who suffers from a chronic pain condition acquired through surviving meningitus, and being a scientist myself, I immediately felt like I was the target audience for this book, and was so excited to get stuck in! Fibromyalgia is still often wrongly treated as an illness that is "all in your mind", which is an silly statement, with the brain being the centre for the pain response, so it was nice to read this book where the condition is not treated as something that is just "imagined" by the sufferer.
The authors are specialists; Dr Swidan is clinical pharmacist specialising in neuroendocrine health, and Dr Bennett is an orthopedic spine surgeon and their evidence is backed up by scientific journals (included at the end of the book), so you can do further reading around the subject if you wish to. This increased my confidence in their message, and I encourage both chronic pain warriors and sympathisers alike to read this novel to gain a better understanding of the science behind pain.
It's split into easy to read sections, focussing on three areas designed to help you manage your pain - some may be areas that you are already managing well, and you can skip onto other sections, without having to read them, if you so wish. It's easy to dip in and out of which is good for when you have a pain condition and have low energy - sometimes you can only do bits at a time and this book allows for that.
The three sections included are biological resilience - rewiring the body, psychological resilience - rewiring the mind and social resilience - rewiring connection. I developed fibromyalgia after almost dying to viral meningitus; I was aware before reading, that my body is stuck in a flight or fight dilemna and is over-firing pain signals hence my hypersensitivity. But, as my advice from doctors has historically been "it's all in your head", I've been focussing on psychological resilience - and whereas CBT has been great for helping me live whilst being in pain, it hasn't reduced the pain. I was excited to hear that I can potentially rewire my body, and have been focussing on my biological resilience after reading this book.
The book is written in layman's terms, so you don't need a scientific background to understand it and you can look up the journals listed at the end if you want a more deeper understanding. It does try and explain processes using ancedotes which made it more relatable. However, I did find that there was a lot of repetition, that did annoy me at times. I often ended up skipping to the end sections of each chapter, where there is a reflection section following by a "chapter-end activity".
I've started trying to alter my diet to see if that affects my pain (unfortuantely with a small baby, sleep improvement will have to wait until my baby decides she's ready to sleep!) , and I was surprised to find that even with a small change of less suger/more fruit and veg (seems obvious I know!), my energy levels increased slightly. It's too early to tell if this will affect my pain, but it's nice to be doing something active. The suggestions seem simple enough, but it's the combination of all that hopefully will make a difference, which I'm interested to explore.
All in all, I appreciated the;
*Scientific backing up of suggestions
*The reflections and chapter summaries at the end
*The easy to read narrative and annedotal evidence
*The sympathy the authors have to people in pain; you get the impression that they genuinely want to help
What could have been improved;
*Unfortuantely, I think there was a lot of repetition - perhaps the authors took turns writing sections and so aspects were repeated? Perhaps it was done to help get the message to stick? Either way, this was my only criticism of the read.
I appreciate receiving an early copy via netgalley.
The authors are specialists; Dr Swidan is clinical pharmacist specialising in neuroendocrine health, and Dr Bennett is an orthopedic spine surgeon and their evidence is backed up by scientific journals (included at the end of the book), so you can do further reading around the subject if you wish to. This increased my confidence in their message, and I encourage both chronic pain warriors and sympathisers alike to read this novel to gain a better understanding of the science behind pain.
It's split into easy to read sections, focussing on three areas designed to help you manage your pain - some may be areas that you are already managing well, and you can skip onto other sections, without having to read them, if you so wish. It's easy to dip in and out of which is good for when you have a pain condition and have low energy - sometimes you can only do bits at a time and this book allows for that.
The three sections included are biological resilience - rewiring the body, psychological resilience - rewiring the mind and social resilience - rewiring connection. I developed fibromyalgia after almost dying to viral meningitus; I was aware before reading, that my body is stuck in a flight or fight dilemna and is over-firing pain signals hence my hypersensitivity. But, as my advice from doctors has historically been "it's all in your head", I've been focussing on psychological resilience - and whereas CBT has been great for helping me live whilst being in pain, it hasn't reduced the pain. I was excited to hear that I can potentially rewire my body, and have been focussing on my biological resilience after reading this book.
The book is written in layman's terms, so you don't need a scientific background to understand it and you can look up the journals listed at the end if you want a more deeper understanding. It does try and explain processes using ancedotes which made it more relatable. However, I did find that there was a lot of repetition, that did annoy me at times. I often ended up skipping to the end sections of each chapter, where there is a reflection section following by a "chapter-end activity".
I've started trying to alter my diet to see if that affects my pain (unfortuantely with a small baby, sleep improvement will have to wait until my baby decides she's ready to sleep!) , and I was surprised to find that even with a small change of less suger/more fruit and veg (seems obvious I know!), my energy levels increased slightly. It's too early to tell if this will affect my pain, but it's nice to be doing something active. The suggestions seem simple enough, but it's the combination of all that hopefully will make a difference, which I'm interested to explore.
All in all, I appreciated the;
*Scientific backing up of suggestions
*The reflections and chapter summaries at the end
*The easy to read narrative and annedotal evidence
*The sympathy the authors have to people in pain; you get the impression that they genuinely want to help
What could have been improved;
*Unfortuantely, I think there was a lot of repetition - perhaps the authors took turns writing sections and so aspects were repeated? Perhaps it was done to help get the message to stick? Either way, this was my only criticism of the read.
I appreciate receiving an early copy via netgalley.
August 31, 2025
My thanks to the publishers Book Whisperer for this pre-approved ARC. I also thank NetGalley and the authors for this advance copy. It is not often that I get to review a non-fiction book. I read this advanced review copy and approached it with the kind of seriousness that I like to bring to non-fiction books.
The authors present it as a patient facing guide that reframes chronic pain away from being just a symptom and toward something the reader can learn to live with.
I have been lucky so far not to have any kind of chronic pains but it is something that I have seen very closely in my family, so naturally I was also interested in this on a personal level and there have been some good takeaways for me from the book.
What the book does very well is talk to readers rather than at them. The tone is consistently compassionate and plain spoken, which will comfort anyone who has been worn down by jargon or by medical professionals who seem to dismiss their experiences. The authors draw from neuroscience and functional medicine but they explain those concepts in ways that feel practical and accessible. They introduce a recurring framework called the Resilience Code which helps to organize their advice into small sustainable changes instead of overwhelming overhauls. For a book that explicitly avoids the heavy medical style, its greatest strength lies in its readability and warmth.
That same strength is also its limitation. Readers who are looking for citations, data, or rigorous engagement with evidence will come away feeling short. The book simplifies complex mechanisms into neat narratives and does not always capture the messy reality of clinical science. This makes it more of a primer than a comprehensive manual. Given the authors’ backgrounds, it often feels like a translation of clinical ideas into patient friendly language rather than a text offering new insight, although I am no expert to qualify this point.
The structure can also feel uneven. Some chapters shine with practical exercises and comforting metaphors, while others circle back to earlier themes without adding much depth although it helps in driving home certain points comprehensibly. With no figures, tables, or quick reference summaries, the serious qualified reader is left to hold on to concepts purely through the prose. I appreciated the human stories that were woven through the book and the way the authors made space for emotions like frustration and grief alongside strategies for resilience but even I as a casual reader felt the need for clearer signposts to the science behind their advice. I got a feeling that this restricts the niche of the book to a casual audience which may or may not be be what the authors started out to make.
This is a kind and hopeful book that will help readers feel understood and provide them with sensible tools to try. It is not the book to choose if you are searching for an academic resource or a deeply evidenced manual but it does succeed in speaking gently and practically to people living with pain and more importantly their care givers who may not always have access to understand medicare process for ailments. If you want a compassionate guide to small everyday practices, it is worth a read. If you crave rigor and depth, you may need to pair it with other more technical sources.
Overall, it is humane, approachable and useful, even if it leaves some opportunities unexplored.
The authors present it as a patient facing guide that reframes chronic pain away from being just a symptom and toward something the reader can learn to live with.
I have been lucky so far not to have any kind of chronic pains but it is something that I have seen very closely in my family, so naturally I was also interested in this on a personal level and there have been some good takeaways for me from the book.
What the book does very well is talk to readers rather than at them. The tone is consistently compassionate and plain spoken, which will comfort anyone who has been worn down by jargon or by medical professionals who seem to dismiss their experiences. The authors draw from neuroscience and functional medicine but they explain those concepts in ways that feel practical and accessible. They introduce a recurring framework called the Resilience Code which helps to organize their advice into small sustainable changes instead of overwhelming overhauls. For a book that explicitly avoids the heavy medical style, its greatest strength lies in its readability and warmth.
That same strength is also its limitation. Readers who are looking for citations, data, or rigorous engagement with evidence will come away feeling short. The book simplifies complex mechanisms into neat narratives and does not always capture the messy reality of clinical science. This makes it more of a primer than a comprehensive manual. Given the authors’ backgrounds, it often feels like a translation of clinical ideas into patient friendly language rather than a text offering new insight, although I am no expert to qualify this point.
The structure can also feel uneven. Some chapters shine with practical exercises and comforting metaphors, while others circle back to earlier themes without adding much depth although it helps in driving home certain points comprehensibly. With no figures, tables, or quick reference summaries, the serious qualified reader is left to hold on to concepts purely through the prose. I appreciated the human stories that were woven through the book and the way the authors made space for emotions like frustration and grief alongside strategies for resilience but even I as a casual reader felt the need for clearer signposts to the science behind their advice. I got a feeling that this restricts the niche of the book to a casual audience which may or may not be be what the authors started out to make.
This is a kind and hopeful book that will help readers feel understood and provide them with sensible tools to try. It is not the book to choose if you are searching for an academic resource or a deeply evidenced manual but it does succeed in speaking gently and practically to people living with pain and more importantly their care givers who may not always have access to understand medicare process for ailments. If you want a compassionate guide to small everyday practices, it is worth a read. If you crave rigor and depth, you may need to pair it with other more technical sources.
Overall, it is humane, approachable and useful, even if it leaves some opportunities unexplored.
September 4, 2025
In early August I received an email from BookWhisperer to let me know that an ARC of the book Mastering Chronic Pain: How Peak Resilience Unlocks Your Potential was available for request and reviews. It was a little outside my typical genre, but I decided to request it through #NetGalley, and all opinions are my own.
I have lived with chronic pain since 1982. I have multiple co-morbidities and have had a spinal fusion, double knee replacement ( both knees on the same day) and most recently a reverse shoulder replacement with the other booked to be done later this fall. I choose to read this as a person who lives in pain rather than simply a reviewer. I took my time with it so I could really understand and utilize suggestions offered. I loved how this book could be read one chapter at a time and how the authors believed in the importance of looking at the individual as a whole and the understanding that pain is not just physical but also involves social and psychological resilience. Individual chapters focus on the three different pillars and build on the knowledge throughout the book.
The authors mentioned at the beginning and several other spots, that they are not trying to act as the reader's physician, and that it is important to work with your medical team to address your individual pain management needs. They wrote with a very empathetic manner and using case studies, to give the reader hope and the ability to retake some of the control that pain takes away from you.
Each chapter has a side bar with things to think about and actions - often quite small- that an individual can try. The book basically acts as a workbook and includes diagrams and charts to help clarify what they are discussing. I personally would recommend purchasing a print copy so one can dip in slowly and work away at the suggestions, perhaps with a journal for notes at hand. This is not a book one should rush through as new ideas require thought and practice. The end of the book includes chapter by chapter references for where their information comes from in case one wants to dig deeper.
I finished this book with a feeling of satisfaction that through my years of illness I have managed to find a supportive group of people both medically and socially and that many of the suggestions included are ones that I have been using for years - belly breathing, having a tool kit for when pain hits that suits my needs and more. After my recent shoulder replacement I was able to reframe pain to discomfort and avoid narcotic use altogether. I am already incorporating suggestions from the authors into my SMART goals and know that I'll be referring back to this book often. Many thanks to the authors for having the heart to recognize the need for a book like this. I definitely recommend it to those living with chronic pain and also those who care for them.
I have lived with chronic pain since 1982. I have multiple co-morbidities and have had a spinal fusion, double knee replacement ( both knees on the same day) and most recently a reverse shoulder replacement with the other booked to be done later this fall. I choose to read this as a person who lives in pain rather than simply a reviewer. I took my time with it so I could really understand and utilize suggestions offered. I loved how this book could be read one chapter at a time and how the authors believed in the importance of looking at the individual as a whole and the understanding that pain is not just physical but also involves social and psychological resilience. Individual chapters focus on the three different pillars and build on the knowledge throughout the book.
The authors mentioned at the beginning and several other spots, that they are not trying to act as the reader's physician, and that it is important to work with your medical team to address your individual pain management needs. They wrote with a very empathetic manner and using case studies, to give the reader hope and the ability to retake some of the control that pain takes away from you.
Each chapter has a side bar with things to think about and actions - often quite small- that an individual can try. The book basically acts as a workbook and includes diagrams and charts to help clarify what they are discussing. I personally would recommend purchasing a print copy so one can dip in slowly and work away at the suggestions, perhaps with a journal for notes at hand. This is not a book one should rush through as new ideas require thought and practice. The end of the book includes chapter by chapter references for where their information comes from in case one wants to dig deeper.
I finished this book with a feeling of satisfaction that through my years of illness I have managed to find a supportive group of people both medically and socially and that many of the suggestions included are ones that I have been using for years - belly breathing, having a tool kit for when pain hits that suits my needs and more. After my recent shoulder replacement I was able to reframe pain to discomfort and avoid narcotic use altogether. I am already incorporating suggestions from the authors into my SMART goals and know that I'll be referring back to this book often. Many thanks to the authors for having the heart to recognize the need for a book like this. I definitely recommend it to those living with chronic pain and also those who care for them.
September 11, 2025
In my opinion, this book is a message of hope and comunication feeding directly into the hearts and minds of those who suffer from chronic pain. The word 'resilience' is a key word thoughout as the complete book title indicates. If I'm understanding the authors correctly, the book offers a progressive chain of action that is important to note when talking about mastering chronic pain.
As a potential reader would read through this book, they can expect some significant technical jargon given the topic. However, I believe even laymen will be able to understand what is described regarding managing and mastering chronic pain. What's more, I feel that those who suffer such pain will definitely be able to relate, learning a wealth of beneficial information, not just to cope but to cultivate resilience, helping themselves to 'come back to life' and enabling a better quality of life.
Furthermore, there is good information on the nature of pain and how it works on the body systems, intertwining and entangling, captivating them in vicious cycles of pain unless there is intervention, not with medication, per se, but with other actions as prescribed in this book. For example, explanations about how pain works on the nerves, gut, the brain, the pschological elements and more, setting them afire. Then helpful suggestions on how to help oneself in these areas.
Once again, I'll say that I feel the authors are thankfully bringing hope to those who suffer chronic pain, teaching them how to apply certain breathing exercises, giving questions for reflection, journaling and other things to try to reframe their pain story.
The authors really seem to cover a broad spectrum of all that is inter-connected to the management and mastering of chronic pain. I reckon most readers, whether they are the actual sufferers, or the family and friends and support group, will all have satisfaction when gaining this knowledge and understanding and be able to reach for that desired peak resilience to master the chronic pain, together, one little bit at a time - slow and steady though it may be.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
September 2025
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
As a potential reader would read through this book, they can expect some significant technical jargon given the topic. However, I believe even laymen will be able to understand what is described regarding managing and mastering chronic pain. What's more, I feel that those who suffer such pain will definitely be able to relate, learning a wealth of beneficial information, not just to cope but to cultivate resilience, helping themselves to 'come back to life' and enabling a better quality of life.
Furthermore, there is good information on the nature of pain and how it works on the body systems, intertwining and entangling, captivating them in vicious cycles of pain unless there is intervention, not with medication, per se, but with other actions as prescribed in this book. For example, explanations about how pain works on the nerves, gut, the brain, the pschological elements and more, setting them afire. Then helpful suggestions on how to help oneself in these areas.
Once again, I'll say that I feel the authors are thankfully bringing hope to those who suffer chronic pain, teaching them how to apply certain breathing exercises, giving questions for reflection, journaling and other things to try to reframe their pain story.
The authors really seem to cover a broad spectrum of all that is inter-connected to the management and mastering of chronic pain. I reckon most readers, whether they are the actual sufferers, or the family and friends and support group, will all have satisfaction when gaining this knowledge and understanding and be able to reach for that desired peak resilience to master the chronic pain, together, one little bit at a time - slow and steady though it may be.
~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~
September 2025
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
September 2, 2025
"Mastering Chronic Pain" is nonfiction explaining how chronic pain is different than acute pain, why your body can get stuck in pain mode, and how to retrain your nervous system to reduce pain and support healing. I've done a lot of research on chronic pain and have heard much of the information in this book before, so I believe it's both accurate science and useful advice on a variety of non-drug methods that can help reduce pain. They gave just enough medical detail on chronic pain to claim it's a science-based book but spent most of their time explaining things in common language that anyone can understand. They used stories of people dealing with injuries that turned into chronic pain and how they learned about and applied the information in that chapter.
However, it seemed like everything was repeated at least three times, sometimes as a copy-paste from an earlier section and other times with additional information. The last part of the book went over the information (what's causing pain) and pain-reduction methods (Why does this work? How do you do it?) in a different format, but it was basically what we'd already gotten in the first part.
While some of the methods could be taught in brief, step-by-step, text-based instructions, methods like Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique) really needed either a chart showing where to tap or you need to go to the Tapping website to see how it's actually done. The authors' instructions in this book weren't detailed enough to do you much good. While I recommend this book, I'd have felt it had more value if less time was spent repeating things and more had been spent detailing the more complex methods.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
However, it seemed like everything was repeated at least three times, sometimes as a copy-paste from an earlier section and other times with additional information. The last part of the book went over the information (what's causing pain) and pain-reduction methods (Why does this work? How do you do it?) in a different format, but it was basically what we'd already gotten in the first part.
While some of the methods could be taught in brief, step-by-step, text-based instructions, methods like Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique) really needed either a chart showing where to tap or you need to go to the Tapping website to see how it's actually done. The authors' instructions in this book weren't detailed enough to do you much good. While I recommend this book, I'd have felt it had more value if less time was spent repeating things and more had been spent detailing the more complex methods.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 6, 2025
Mastering Chronic Pain by Dr. Sahar Swidan & Dr. Matthew Bennett was a book. . . . I so needed to read especially as I have Fibromyalgia and weaken Immune disease etc, I feel I am loosing the battle with my pain which is 24/7 especially as I can not take inflammatory drugs sadly no more! they were/had destroyed my only kidney!!!! and now under my Doctor with it.
So, this book gives you a clear and compassionate guide, that helps you with your Chronic Pain. Dr. Matthew Bennett, MD
is a orthopaedic spine surgeon and Dr. Sahar Swidan, PharmD is a pain specialist They have written this book and introduce an approach grounded in neuroscience and functional medicine. Instead of masking pain. They show you how to work with your body’s biological systems to promote real healing.
Inside, this excellent book it shows you that you can plan your day.
How to retrain your brain and reset your nervous system etc.
The hidden role of hormones, Yeap Hormones!!! inflammation, and immunity, Non-medication tools that actually support long-term healing It is a step-by-step guide to your personalised Resilience Code. .. . . . . . But, this book is full of so much information that I found very interesting from the very beginning. but hard going reading it all!!!! and understanding it!
This book helps you whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply ready to try something new, Now Mastering Chronic Pain is not easy. ... . . I have been suffering for f years But Mastering Chronic Pain offers clear guidance grounded in science and decades of experience helping patients become victors over chronic pain.
So good luck . . . . I hope this book helps you. I have a head ache now!!!!
I am going to have a lie down!
So, this book gives you a clear and compassionate guide, that helps you with your Chronic Pain. Dr. Matthew Bennett, MD
is a orthopaedic spine surgeon and Dr. Sahar Swidan, PharmD is a pain specialist They have written this book and introduce an approach grounded in neuroscience and functional medicine. Instead of masking pain. They show you how to work with your body’s biological systems to promote real healing.
Inside, this excellent book it shows you that you can plan your day.
How to retrain your brain and reset your nervous system etc.
The hidden role of hormones, Yeap Hormones!!! inflammation, and immunity, Non-medication tools that actually support long-term healing It is a step-by-step guide to your personalised Resilience Code. .. . . . . . But, this book is full of so much information that I found very interesting from the very beginning. but hard going reading it all!!!! and understanding it!
This book helps you whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or simply ready to try something new, Now Mastering Chronic Pain is not easy. ... . . I have been suffering for f years But Mastering Chronic Pain offers clear guidance grounded in science and decades of experience helping patients become victors over chronic pain.
So good luck . . . . I hope this book helps you. I have a head ache now!!!!
I am going to have a lie down!
August 17, 2025
"Mastering Chronic Pain" is by Dr. Swidan and Dr. Bennett. Although I don't have chronic pain (knock wood) I know some people who do. In some ways this book was rather eye opening - I know for one of my chronic pain friends that she will often retreat from everyone (emerging six months later) while I have another friend who will last minute change plans. I know from both of these friends it's not because they're being mean - but because day to day things change regarding their physical and mental capabilities. "Mastering Chronic Pain" rather spelled out some of their issues ... but also gave advice ranging on a variety of things - ranging from how to boost (naturally) better/deeper sleep along with chemicals the body naturally generates. It also stressed social interactions (which I found interesting as one of my friends is a natural introvert and being extroverted is just difficult for her even on a good day) which boosts chemicals in our bodies. My one complaint - though it's understandable - is that a lot of information is repeated (keep a journal, deep breathing) but I'm sure that's because not everyone will read the book from cover to cover and will probably skip. The last section sums up all the information given in one nice section. While some people might regard this book a bit as new age mumbo-jumbo, if adding a handful of nuts to morning oatmeal and eating that instead of a doughnut helps your body feel better, why not try it? Overall, I found this an interesting read.
November 14, 2025
As a psychiatrist, I found ,,Mastering Chronic Pain" to be an invaluable and thoughtfully structured guide that bridges the often-overlooked gap between physical pain and psychological suffering. Dr. Swidan and Dr. Bennett present a comprehensive, multidisciplinary framework that acknowledges chronic pain as a complex biopsychosocial condition rather than a purely physical symptom.
What stands out most is the book’s emphasis on neurobiology, trauma-informed care, and the interplay between mood disorders, cognitive patterns, and the pain experience. Their explanations are clinically sound yet highly accessible, offering practical strategies that clinicians can immediately integrate into patient care. The inclusion of case examples and integrative treatment approaches—ranging from medication optimization to behavioral interventions—makes the book especially useful in psychiatric practice.
Overall, this is an excellent resource for clinicians and patients alike, and a much-needed reminder that effective pain management requires empathy, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of the mind–body connection.
What stands out most is the book’s emphasis on neurobiology, trauma-informed care, and the interplay between mood disorders, cognitive patterns, and the pain experience. Their explanations are clinically sound yet highly accessible, offering practical strategies that clinicians can immediately integrate into patient care. The inclusion of case examples and integrative treatment approaches—ranging from medication optimization to behavioral interventions—makes the book especially useful in psychiatric practice.
Overall, this is an excellent resource for clinicians and patients alike, and a much-needed reminder that effective pain management requires empathy, collaboration, and a holistic understanding of the mind–body connection.
August 19, 2025
Mastering Chronic Pain by Dr. Swidan and Dr. Bennett goes into detain about the different types of chronic pain and how it can impact a person’s life. Many times people with constant pain remove themselves from life because they cannot bring themselves to deal with both. The book gives us an alternative to deal with it. For the most part, pain is masked by meds and physical therapy. Their book is grounded in functional medicine. They believe you can retrain your brain to give your body the chance to really heal.
I have been living with constant back pain and although I do not give onto it, I can see why some people would just either become addicted to drugs or just keep to themselves. I found myself going from doctor to doctor to try and find relief. The last orthopedist I went to actually told me to stop going to doctors and to look further into other natural remedies. have found many of the book’s remedies interesting and have started to incorporate them into my lifestyle.
I wand to thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this pre release.
I have been living with constant back pain and although I do not give onto it, I can see why some people would just either become addicted to drugs or just keep to themselves. I found myself going from doctor to doctor to try and find relief. The last orthopedist I went to actually told me to stop going to doctors and to look further into other natural remedies. have found many of the book’s remedies interesting and have started to incorporate them into my lifestyle.
I wand to thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this pre release.
September 2, 2025
4.5 stars
This is the sort of book you want to come back to again and again. So many practical steps and suggestions for helping your body heal are included.
Drs. Swidan & Bennett make sure to remind the reader that the book does not constitute individual medical advice, and they encourage the reader to have a discussion with their primary care provider, but even in all the caveats, there is much to be said for the ease and practicality of the suggested steps to take toward wellness.
My reason for not giving five stars is some parts of the book were repetitive (as in cut-and-paste) making it longer than necessary. Overall though, a great resource.
Many thanks to Book Whisperer and Net Galley for the ARC copy; my opinions are my own.
This is the sort of book you want to come back to again and again. So many practical steps and suggestions for helping your body heal are included.
Drs. Swidan & Bennett make sure to remind the reader that the book does not constitute individual medical advice, and they encourage the reader to have a discussion with their primary care provider, but even in all the caveats, there is much to be said for the ease and practicality of the suggested steps to take toward wellness.
My reason for not giving five stars is some parts of the book were repetitive (as in cut-and-paste) making it longer than necessary. Overall though, a great resource.
Many thanks to Book Whisperer and Net Galley for the ARC copy; my opinions are my own.
October 20, 2025
This title highlights ways to build a lifestyle that enhances your body's ability to process trauma and find relief from chronic pain. Intended to be used along with care from a medical doctor, the guidebook covers sleep and rest, nutrition, ways to reframe challenges and reduce stress, and how to reach out and maintain healthy social connections with realistic boundaries.
What's especially helpful about this informative book is the acknowledgement that a person isn't going to be able to change their entire lifestyle overnight. The title offers gentle encouragement and slow steps towards healthier directions in life.
Would recommend this title for people looking for resources to go along with medical treatment for chronic pain from illness or injury.
August 30, 2025
This book is written as a series of case studies of people with chronic pain. It’s organized and easy to read, but I wasn’t convinced they were real people and not just fictional characters to illustrate points. Many case study patients just said “I lifted something”, or “turned” and chronic pain ensued.
There was little explanation of medical tests performed, what lab tests showed, what their diet, or exercise was, what doctors were seen or any other detail of what the pain was, or exactly what the sufferers tried.
All the solutions seemed to be elaborations and lists of self help steps that appear in multiple other books, videos and blogs.
There was little explanation of medical tests performed, what lab tests showed, what their diet, or exercise was, what doctors were seen or any other detail of what the pain was, or exactly what the sufferers tried.
All the solutions seemed to be elaborations and lists of self help steps that appear in multiple other books, videos and blogs.
September 1, 2025
Pain is a neurological reality and chronic pain need not always remain debilitating. Utilizing demonstrations of concrete measures we can take to make active participation in altering the
mind/body interconnection and take charge of what the body's response to the disruptive characteristics of pain. I found much of this text to be personally helpful.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Book Whisperer via NetGalley. @mastering_chronic_pain #MasteringChronicPain by #DrSaharSwidan and #DrMatthewBennett
@bookwhispererink #resilience #health #chronicpain #mindandbody #selfhelp #empowering #TranscendMed #psychimpact #smallchanges #nonfiction
mind/body interconnection and take charge of what the body's response to the disruptive characteristics of pain. I found much of this text to be personally helpful.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Book Whisperer via NetGalley. @mastering_chronic_pain #MasteringChronicPain by #DrSaharSwidan and #DrMatthewBennett
@bookwhispererink #resilience #health #chronicpain #mindandbody #selfhelp #empowering #TranscendMed #psychimpact #smallchanges #nonfiction
September 3, 2025
I've always known that age is not what makes you old; chronic pain is. When you complete every task and plan every event, you must factor in the cost of the pain. Dr. Swidan and Dr. Bennett provide a clear and concise breakdown of how chronic pain can be managed, not just endured. Their recommendations make sense to me as I have suffered with chronic pain in my neck and shoulders for many years, treated with OTC drugs and opioids. The book provides both educational content and practical recommendations that have been proven effective in the research and treatment of patients. If you have chronic pain or have a loved one who does, read and share this book. It's well worth your time.
September 16, 2025
I grabbed this book as a possible for my daughter who is a chronic pain sufferer. I found it well thought out with a number of actions that may be explored to tackle pain.The language was technical enough to convey the information but also simple enough so that it did not overwhelm the lay person. Presented with number of case histories, it should allow may sufferers to be able to relate to the stories.
There is a lot of information presented here and would take most people a while to try different approaches and determine what works for them.
Most of these non medical approaches can be incorporated alongside regular medical treatments to support the body's natural healing.
There is a lot of information presented here and would take most people a while to try different approaches and determine what works for them.
Most of these non medical approaches can be incorporated alongside regular medical treatments to support the body's natural healing.
December 4, 2025
MASTERING CHRONIC PAIN: How Peak Resilience Unlocks Your PotentialBy Dr. Sahar Swindon and Dr. Matthew Bennet. The two authors believe their training in multiple studies and various practices will offer healing. Dr. Swindon’s specialties are in clinical pharmacy and “visionary integrative pain management” and neuroeandocrine health. Dr. Bennet’s specialities in orthopaedic surgery, “functional medicine,” as well as Nutritional Sciences create a blend of knowledge, such as TranscendMed, that empowers his patients
September 2, 2025
I got "Mastering Chronic Pain" This book has some great ideas on how to try to deal with your daily pain & not giving up hope of being yourself once again.
Showing you different ways to heal not masking it with meds that only work temporaily, using the more natural healing process.
Showing you theres hope of feeling like you once did before all this pain & taking your life back healing your body.
Showing you different ways to heal not masking it with meds that only work temporaily, using the more natural healing process.
Showing you theres hope of feeling like you once did before all this pain & taking your life back healing your body.
August 30, 2025
Detailed well written storyline that grabbed my interest in the first chapter and never let me go. New author to me, but I like their writing style and will have to read more from them.
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