Zoffness, Rachel: Why We Hurt and How to Heal

Leading pain expert Dr. Rachel Zoffness bridges the gap between medicine and psychology to get to the heart of understanding—and treating—pain—it's The Body Keeps the Score for chronic pain. Every one of us will experience pain, be it back pain, the pain of childbirth, or living in an aging 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 imagined: because if the brain can change, pain can change.    Rooted in cutting-edge neuroscience and rich patient stories, Dr. Rachel Zoffness completely upends the myths we’ve been sold—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. A groundbreaking, revolutionary book that finally offers access to the world’s most powerful painkiller: YOU. “This book is a must read for anyone struggling with chronic pain. Filled with moving stories and the latest science, Zoffness explains how pain works and why so many treatments fall short. Her message is ultimately a hopeful one: By changing our brains we can lessen our pain. I highly recommend." ―Anna Lembke, MD, Professor and Medical Director, Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, Stanford University, New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation "In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Zoffness dismantles outdated myths about pain and brilliantly reveals new ways to overcome it. Filled with the latest science, this is a must read for both doctors and patients, and frankly anyone grappling with chronic pain.” ―William W. Li, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Eat To Beat Disease, former faculty at Harvard Medical School