It doesn't have to hurt Your smart guide to a pain-free life

Neurosurgeon and journalist Gupta (Keep Sharp) shares tips for treating chronic pain without opioids or other addictive substances in this practical guide. He notes that nearly a quarter of adults in the U.S. experience chronic pain--whether it be migraines, back pain, joint pain, nerve pain, or other conditions. Finding treatment can be difficult because of the complex, subjective nature of pain, but "there is hope," he argues. Drawing on emerging research and patient interviews, Gupta offers a range of physical and psychological strategies for treating chronic pain, like proper sleep, healthy eating, and exercise. For example, he shares how mindfulness meditation helped a woman relieve chronic back pain, and explores the recent uptick in usage of antidepressants to address persistent migraines. "Pain relief isn't just about physical relief; it is an integral part of a complex, dynamic healing process," he writes. Refreshingly, Gupta sheds light on "invisible" chronic conditions, which lack obvious symptoms and are difficult to test for, like fibromyalgia, a type of musculoskeletal pain. With an empathetic voice, Gupta presents readers with a broad array of accessible techniques and supportive advice. This will empower readers seeking relief from pain. (Sept.)

Readers of Alan Gordon's The Way Out will be interested in the alternative and most effective pain remedies presented by Gupta (neurosurgery, Univ. of Michigan; Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age). The book primarily evaluates traditional, clinical, and up-and-coming pain treatments worldwide, focusing on the research supporting each treatment's efficacy. The book does not offer quick fixes to readers but looks at holistic psychological and physiological methods to alleviate chronic pain. Gupta interweaves analysis of these treatments with research-backed evidence, personal anecdotes, practical guides, and interviews with patients and other health professionals. The book lacks direct citations, but all sources are listed by chapter in the back. Readers who suffer from chronic pain, who have tried seemingly every treatment plan, or who have lost faith in typical Western medical interventions may benefit from the comprehensive discourse and recommendations in this book. VERDICT Many books promise to solve personal and chronic health conditions. While no book can do that, this title gives readers extensive resources and insights with nuance that many self-help books lack.--Emma Schindler-Wood