Outskirts Press, INC.

We all experience pain, and when we do, we just want the pain to go away! Pain is the number one reason that people visit their physicians. So why does unrelieved pain continue to be a major problem despite modern medical advances?

PAIN: Why Do We Continue to Suffer? explores the scientific reasons behind the ongoing problem of unrelieved pain. But it’s not just a medical problem. Due to the complexity and subjective nature of pain, various cultures and religions throughout history have taught that relief of pain is not important and in some cases should not even be attempted. These views and biases continue to impact current attitudes about pain and pain relief.

Any discussion about pain today must include the topic of opioid abuse, although when used appropriately, opioids are often the most effective method to relieve severe pain. One chapter attempts to provide a balanced assessment of the risks and benefits of prescription opioids, in the context of other current medications and alternative methods for pain relief. Later chapters discuss recent research toward discovering safer and more effective ways to relieve pain—offering the reader hope that there will be less suffering in the future.