Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Pain

Chronic pain includes many types of conditions from a variety of causes. This book is designed to help those suffering from chronic pain learn to better manage pain so they can get on with living a satisfying, fulfilling life. This resource stresses four concepts: each person with chronic pain is unique, and there is no one treatment or approach that is right for everybody; there are many things people with chronic pain can do to feel better and become more active and involved in life; with knowledge and experimentation, each individual is the best judge of which self-management tools and techniques are best for him or her; and, the responsibility for managing chronic pain on a daily basis rests with the individual and no one else. Acknowledging that overcoming chronic pain is a daily challenge, this workbook provides readers with the tools to overcome that test. A Moving Easy Program CD, which offers a set of easy-to-follow exercises that can be performed at home, is also included.

Sandra LeFort, MN, PhD, is professor emeritus at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada where she teaches and continues to do research in pain. Lisa Webster, RN, is the clinical manager of Pain Management Centre at Hamilton General Hospital. Kate Lorig, DrPH, is director and professor emeritus at Stanford University School of Medicine’s Patient Education Research Center. Halsted Holman, MD, is professor emeritus at Stanford University School of Medicine. David Sobel, MD, MPH, was director of patient education and health promotion, The Permanente Medical Group, Northern California. Diana Laurent, MPH, is a chronic disease health educator at Stanford Patient Education Research Center. Virginia González, MPH, is a chronic disease health educator and consultant to Stanford Patient Education Research Center. Marian Minor, PT, PhD, is professor emerita at the University of Missouri, Department of Physical Therapy.