The challenge of pain
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The challenge of pain
（Penguin science）
Penguin Books, c1996
Updated 2nd ed
- Other Title
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A modern medical classic
Available at 2 libraries
Note
Previous ed.: i.e. Rev. ed. 1988
Includes bibiliographical reference and indes
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Pain has many valuable functions. It can be a warning or force us to rest our bodies. Yet most ongoing chronic pain, such as unrelenting backache or headache, has no discernable cause and diminishes countless lives.
Over the years a scientific revolution has taken place in chronic pain research and therapy. A major catalyst for this was the introduction of the 'gate theory' by Professor Ronald Melzack and Professor Patrick D. Wall, which argued that pain is a unified stream of experience generated by the brain, incorporating a whole host of psychological functions. Their now-classic book, with a new introduction taking in all the latest medical developments, examines every facet of pain: the psychological and clinical aspects, the physiological evidence, the major theories of pain and the developments in its control.
The challenge in the twenty-first century is to look at how memories, personal and social expectations, genetics, gender, aging and stress patterns all play a role in pain, and how understanding this could lead to the relief of the suffering endured by millions.
by "Nielsen BookData"