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Why We Hurt: The Natural History of Pain
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 615
EAN: 9780156014038
ISBN: 0156014033
Label: Harvest Books
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 312
Publication Date: June 14, 2001
Publisher: Harvest Books
Studio: Harvest Books
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Editorial Review:
If you've been paying attention, you've noticed by now that pain and suffering infiltrate nearly every part of life. Whether it's an executive nursing a quiet ulcer in the boardroom or a wailing child holding a skinned knee on the playground, this uniquely unpleasant signal must be important; if it weren't, we could more easily ignore it. Neurosurgeon Frank T. Vertosick Jr. explains the evolutionary, physiological, and psychological reasons for pain in Why We Hurt: The Natural History of Pain. Not a paean to despair, the book helps to ease suffering through understanding and learning just how far we've come in the short history of palliative practice. Vertosick's long experience working with sufferers of hideously intractable pain, and his own long battle with migraine, provides depth and illustrative stories that draw the reader into what might otherwise be dry medicalese.
It's heartening to see more surgeons like Dr. Vertosick coming to accept the often-strong psychological basis of pain and appropriate nonsurgical, nonpharmacologic treatments for it. Certainly, as in the case of the woman whose trigeminal nerve was eroded by a circulatory tangle, cutting and suturing have their appropriate place. And the author found several years ago that simple acetaminophen was all he needed to stave off his headaches. His gentle explanations and usually uplifting stories help us prepare for our own episodes of suffering. Though it might seem like small comfort, learning Why We Hurt can be as powerful as the strongest narcotic, with no side effects. --Rob Lightner
A top neurosurgeon and acclaimed author's unique and highly readable study of the paradox of pain, with fascinating anecdotes on childbirth, migraines, cancer, and more. Medical science has made brilliant discoveries over the last century but as any cancer patient can attest, it has yet to conquer, or even fully comprehend, pain. Beginning with his own battle against severe migraines, and citing numerous case studies of his patients, in Why We Hurt Dr. Frank Vertosick explains how pain evolved, and by highlighting the critical functions it serves, he helps us to understand its value. Well written, expertly researched, and movingly told, each chapter offers an amalgam of medicine, history, anthropology, drama, inspiration, and practical advice on a myriad of pain syndromes, from back pain to angina, arthritis to carpal tunnel syndrome. A skilled writer and compassionate physician, Vertosick believes knowledge is often the first, and best, analgesic, and in Why We Hurt, "he offers fascinating insight into the greatest mystery of all: what it means to be human" (The Seattle Times).
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A terrible instrument
C.S. Lewis said in his book, "The Problem of Pain": "Pain as God's megaphone is a terrible instrument." It gets our attention and warns us of danger. Unfortunately, some doctors don't listen to that same megaphone when treating their patients.
According to a recent "New York Times" article, "More than a third of seriously ill patients who requested that doctors ease their discomfort instead of prolonging their lives appear to have had their wishes overlooked, a new study [published in the ... Read More
Rating:  - A well-written, engaging treatment of an important subject
I bought this book without knowing much about it -- in the bookstore with my 8-year-old son, who suffers from migraines. We noticed it and, at his request, I began to read it to him -- then we had to buy it!
I was quite impressed by the quality of the writing -- it's a book for grownups, but the ideas were accessible to a sensitive child with an interest in the subject.
I certainly defer to other reviewers with medical knowledge about errors in the book, and I think much of his speculation ... Read More
Rating: - WOWZER!
This is the best book ever! It's funny, yet tragic, distant, yet so close. I would recommend this book to everyone, not just to sufferers of chronic pain, or people with medical careers. A MUST READ!
Rating: - The Best Book!
This is the best book! I love'd it. It was tragic, yet funny, educational and inspirational. The Best, A read for All!
Rating:  - Typical
This is the standard medical community line on pain, which, sadly, only contributes to the growing problem of chronic pain. If you suffer from chronic pain, read The Mind Body Prescription by Dr. John Sarno for a better discussion of pain, and for a real solution.
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