Introduction: What's This Book About? Who Should Read This Book? My Story Chapter 1. Pain Is a Common Problem Pain Complaints in the Community Pain in the Young and Old Use of Pain Medicine Definition and Causes of Pain Types of Pain Influence of the Mind Physical Causes of Pain Specific Pain Syndromes Summary Chapter 2. A Giant Called Mr. Pain Chapter 3. Back PainBob's Story Chapter 4. Headache PainPenny's Story Chapter 5. Rheumatologic PainLaura's Story Chapter 6. Generalized PainJackie's Story Chapter 7. Long-Term Chronic PainJoan's Story Chapter 8. Assessment of Pain Consequences of Pain Assessment Key Considerations During Assessment Overcoming Barriers to Pain Assessment Is the Pain Real? Summary and Conclusions Chapter 9. Medication for Pain Medicating Chronic Pain Nonnarcotic Analgesics Narcotic Analgesics Addiction versus Physical Dependence Narcotic Pain Reliever of First Choice Combining Narcotic and Nonnarcotic Analgesics Maximizing Effectiveness of Medications Research on New Pain Medicines Nondrug Treatments for Pain Summary and Conclusions Chapter 10. Psychosocial and Behavioral Treatments Psychosocial and Behavioral Consequences of Chronic Pain Treatments for Psychosocial and Behavioral Problems Multidisciplinary Team Approach Summary and Conclusions Chapter 11. Alternative and Complementary Treatments Herbal Medicines Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Alternative Medical Procedures Summary and Conclusions Chapter 12. Surgical and Other Procedures Neurosurgery Spinal Surgeries Negative Consequences of Surgery Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Implantable Nerve Stimulator Motor Cortex Stimulation Implantable Drug Delivery Systems Injections for the Relief of Pain Experimental Therapies Summary and Conclusions Chapter 13. Specific Disease Conditions Osteoarthritis Fibromyalgia Headache Chronic Back Pain Cancer-Related Pain Summary and Conclusions Chapter 14. Spiritual Approaches to Pain A Spiritual Attitude Toward Pain Faith Community Involvement Scripture Prayer Summary and Conclusions Chapter 15. Ten Practical Steps for Slaying the Giant Step 1: Comprehensive Medical Evaluation Step 2: Simple, Safe Drugs and Noninvasive Treatments Step 3: Exercise and Attention to Diet and Weight Step 4: Inexpensive Safe Alternative Therapies Step 5: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Step 6: Psychotherapy and Behavioral Treatments Step 7: Low-Dose Antidepressants, Gabapentin, and Muscle Relaxants Step 8: Treatment in a Chronic Pain Clinic Step 9: Surgical Therapies and Other Mechanical Treatments Step 10: Narcotic Analgesics Special Spiritual Strategies Sources for Further Information Summary and Conclusions Appendix I. Healing Scriptures for Those in Chronic Pain Scriptures Concerning Suffering and Pain Scriptures Concerning Healing Appendix II. Medications for Pain and Managing Side Effects Notes Index Reference Notes Included