Ongoing and severe pain is the costliest health problem facing the world. If you are experiencing severe chronic pain or coping with chronic illness, you understand that when you feel bad it can be so distressing, disabling and persistent that it stops you from doing the things you need and want to do―the things that give life meaning. That’s where this Explain Pain book comes in.

Over the last 20 years a new, powerful and scientific treatment for pain has emerged that does not involve pills, gadgets, or negative side effects. Most importantly, you can do it yourself without the help of medical providers. This integrative pain management is all about understanding your pain and the many―often surprising―factors that can contribute to pain. Repeated studies have shown that there is nothing better for chronic pain than acquiring knowledge about how we all make pain. You can then use this knowledge to change what you think, say, do, and most importantly―change your pain.

Written by two pain science experts with more than 60 years of combined experience in the pain field―in clinical, research and education roles―this chronic pain workbook will help you map your recovery, implement active coping strategies, discover mindfulness exercises, safely increase daily activities and find freedom from pain, all by using the power of knowledge and harnessing the remarkable bioplasticity that exists in every single one of us.

In The Explain Pain Handbook: Protectometer you’ll learn:

• Why we all experience pain and how it works
• How your brain, nervous system, and protective system work and the role they play in pain tolerance
• How to implement a strategy called the “Protectometer” to help you respond to pain
• How bioplasticity works and how it can help you start feeling better
• How to map a recovery plan
• Active coping strategies to help you start feeling better
• How to safely start moving again and/or progress to more movement
• How to harness your “happy hormones” as you work toward recovery
• How to change your thoughts to contribute to your recovery process

Using vibrant, colorful, unique original artwork, this cognitive behavior workbook provides education and easy-to-use tools to help you map a course toward recovery and put strategies in motion to safely increase daily activities and find freedom from pain.