Restore Your Life from Chronic Pain: Find Lasting Relief from Arthritis, Headache, and Back Pain

Clinical psychologist Weisberg (Trust Your Gut) explores in clear language the nature and kinds of pain. That includes explaining the difference between acute and chronic, how the latter changes the nervous system, and why some painkillers don’t work well for aches related to arthritis, joints, the back, the neck, the jaw, migraines, cancer, and many more conditions. He proposes what he’s coined as the ABC Method of dealing and living with chronic pain; the acronym stands for awareness (sensations, emotions and thoughts, stressors, sleep, and diet); balancing (techniques for grounding, aligning one’s posture, and more); and cultivating (managing the “false alarm” in one’s brain, engaging in self- and clinical hypnosis, resolving difficult emotions, exercising, handling a pain flare, and maintaining gains).The book emphasizes that this approach should only be followed after readers have endured three to six months of pain and have had a medical evaluation and diagnosis. Weisberg also stresses that one must continue working with their primary care physician, clinical psychologist, and physical therapist if applicable.