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| Authors: Dennis C. Turk, Frits, Ph.d. Winter
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $12.33
You Save: $7.62 (38%)
New (22) Used (7) from $12.31
Avg. Customer Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 42178
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 203
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.5
ISBN: 1591470498
Dewey Decimal Number: 616.0472
EAN: 9781591470496
ASIN: 1591470498
Publication Date: September 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Highly Recommended July 20, 2007
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
I am a clinical psychologist working in a multidisciplinary pain treatment clinic. I also have chronic pain. In my view, as an introductory pain coping resources self-help book, this book wins best of breed. This book's author, Dennis Turk, PhD., is a leading expert in the subject of chronic pain in general and what works in pain coping resources in particular.
Like other good pain coping self-help books (e.g., "Managing Your Pain Before It Mangers You" by Margaret Caudill, MD, PhD), it does an effective job of covering the range of what has been learned on helping chronic pain patients help themselves. Important areas of pain coping resources are effectively addressed (e.g., effectively adopting the role of your own pain expert; the extremely important, but frequently overlooked, issue of pacing; the importance of effective moderation of sympathetic arousal; pain and fatigue; how interpersonal factors can effect pain and visa-versa; changing thoughts and behaviors; maintaining gains).
The book not only provides understanding and information. It is structured as an effective self-help tool. Although I do encourage my patients to use this book as part of their treatment with me, I strongly disagree with the reviewer above (promoting his own book) who suggests that the book is not effective to use "by yourself" and should include a "user manual." I have found the truth to be quite the contrary. The user manual is right there. The book is structured into ten lessons that conclude with well-conceived exercises to effectively introduce and encourage adoption of proven resources. Many of my patients pick up the book and effectively apply it with little or no assistance from me. For others, I often use the book as a focus of therapy. I hasten to add that for many with chronic pain the first issue is determining if the cost of addressing/managing pain appears worth the benefit. For many, gaining the motivation to help self is the biggest challenge.
If you are looking for self-help help with chronic pain, I highly recommend this book. I also recommend "Managing Your Pain Before It Mangers You." In addition, I recommend this book to healthcare professionals who regularly, or occasionally, treat individuals with chronic pain, as an effective summary of current clinical wisdom on this subject.
Additional Comment: Another reviewer here somewhat bitterly criticizes Turk's book as being a waste of money and for beginners only. That reviewer also misrepresents Turk's take on narcotic use. First, let me suggest that the reviewer's use of hyperbole suggest a personal grudge, rather than an objective reading. That said, I would agree that Turk's book is well structured to help someone just beginning to learn to manage their pain. However, I have yet to meet a `veteran' pain patient who was motivated to help him or herself who did not find benefit in the book. I would say the big value of this book is it helps you start to manage your pain; the rest is up to you. Turk provides recommended readings for those who wish to learn additional means of dealing with pain. For those who are interested, one book I would strongly recommend is "Hypnotize Yourself Out of Pain Now!" by Bruce Eimer, PhD.
As regards narcotics, Turk does not condemn narcotic use. He affirms narcotics value for various pain problems. However, he and almost all of us who specialize in helping people with chronic pain are too aware that far too often narcotics cause more trouble (e.g., pain and discomfort) than good. In my experience, the majority of (though not all) patients who do well at managing chronic pain use narcotics sparingly or not at all.
The Pain Survival Guide April 19, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
If you are dealing with chronic pain, this is an excellent book to add to your arsenal of pain management tools. It's taught me how to become my own pain management expert and how to really rest, relax and pace myself. This is one of my favorite books and I keep referring back to it. Highly recommended!!
Absolute Must! April 11, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
A. All living humans need to get this book.
B. Tell your friends.
C. This web site is great!
Thank you!
From Savage MN
Should have had this book 5 years ago! January 9, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Regardless of the cause of your pain, mine has had me low for 5 years and I wish that someone had told me about this book right from the beginning.
I've learned a lot about the high cost of giving into pain by remaining inactive, and about the need for balance in everything, including activity and rest. Everyone with severe and chronic pain should have this book.
For us with chronic pain November 10, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book is written for those of us with persistant chronic pain. Written in the form of a workbook, it forces the reader to take a hard look at attitudes and behaviors that may worsen the pain levels. The book offers a perspective on the importance of "pacing" one's activities in a way that maximizes energy levels and minimizes pain levels. I would highly recommend this book for anyone coping with chronic pain.
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