Tell Me Where It Hurts: The Science of Pain and How to Heal

by Rachel Zoffness

Leading expert Rachel Zoffness bridges the gap between medicine and psychology to get to the heart of treating pain

Every one of us will experience pain, be it back pain, the pain of childbirth, or living in an ageing body. Not a single one of us will escape. But what if everything you thought you knew about pain was wrong?

We’ve been told that pain is purely physical, something to do just with bones and body parts. The truth is that pain is constructed by the brain – influenced not just by injuries, but also by emotions, expectations and environment. This means you have infinitely more control over pain than you ever because if the brain can change, pain can change.

Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and rich patient stories, Rachel Zoffness completely upends the myths we’ve been told – finally reconnecting physical and emotional pain, and providing a roadmap for healing. The fact is that chronic pain is treatable. But to do that, we must target the whole person, not just a body part.

Whether you live with chronic pain or know someone who does, this book offers more than insight – it offers an empowering way forward.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Rachel Zoffness MS PhD is a pain psychologist, medical consultant, educator & author revolutionizing the way we talk about and treat pain. Dr. Zoffness is an assistant clinical professor at UCSF Medical School and lectures at Stanford. She is the author of 3 books: Tell Me Where It Hurts, which will be translated into more than 20 languages; The Pain Management Workbook, and The Chronic Pain & Illness Workbook for Teens.