Needless Suffering

July 1, 2016

Nagel (physical medicine, pain management, Concord Hospital, NH) blends medical and personal knowledge and policy expertise to portray the complexities of chronic pain for both patients and physicians. Using his and other patients' stories to illustrate the difficulties of treating chronic pain, and describing the ways in which sufferers are often ostracized by the medical system, the author begins by exploring the reality of chronic pain both in biology and those who live with it, providing helpful suggestions for reform of disability insurance and entitlement programs so they may reenter the workforce without losing their benefits. He also discusses fears regarding the extensive use of opioids. A more comprehensive explanation of the biology of pain and what we know about it would have improved the book. In addition, while some believe that marijuana can be helpful for treating pain, there are numerous studies showing that it has little impact--Nagel's chapter on the subject is not balanced. VERDICT Overall, a worthwhile addition geared toward general readers and those enduring chronic pain.--Aaron Klink, Duke Univ., Durham, NC

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.