Chronic pain affects every aspect of life-physical well-being, mood, stamina, and feelings of self worth and self respect. This book focuses on conquering pain and its related problems through proper management. It offers numerous tools and concepts with which to attack chronic pain and win the battle that more than 35 million people in the U.S. alone fight every day. Virtually all specialists in the health care field must be concerned with pain management-this complete reference offers them strategies for helping their patients, and for patients to help themselves.
Chronic Pain: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management presents a variety of therapies for combating chronic pain, including:

Applying external therapy

Changing the way patients perceive pain through psychotherapy or other cognitive means

Physical therapy and exercises

Over-the-counter or prescription medicines to relieve pain, stress, and insomnia caused by discomfort

Surgical options
The book also contains never before published information on how to prescribe and administer opioids and opioid-containing analgesics for chronic, intractable, and non-malignant pain patients.
There is hope for those suffering from chronic pain. This book outlines commonly overlooked problems that, if properly addressed, can make the difference between a patient recovering or effectively managing their pain-or not. Chronic Pain: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management is full of practical advice and options for anyone suffering from chronic pain and for the doctors who treat them.

Michael S. Margoles, M.D., Ph.D., is an orthopedic surgeon and pain management specialist. He is in private practice in San Jose, California., Dr. Margoles did his undergraduate work at San Jose State University and the University of California at Berkeley. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1965 with a degree in biochemistry. He obtained his M.D. degree from the University of California at Irvine in 1969. In 1974, he graduated, with honors, from the Orthopedic Institute of the Hospital for Joint Diseases and Medical Center, New York City., In 1986, Dr. Margoles received an honorary Ph.D. for his work with chronic pain patients. Part of the honorary degree was based on his clinical use of colchicine in the treatment of some of his back and neck chronic pain patients who had disc disorders., Dr. Margoles is board certified in orthopedic surgery and pain management. He is a member of the International Association for the Study of Pain and the American Pain Society, a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons and the New York Academy of Sciences, and a charter member of the American Academy of Pain Management, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the National Chronic Pain Outreach Association., Dr. Margoles has authored over 38 publications. He is a member of the editorial review boards of the American Journal of Pain Management, Journal of Myofascial Medicine, and Journal of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgery., Richard S. Weiner, Ph.D., is executive director of the American Academy of Pain Management. He received a doctorate from the University of Delaware in urban affairs and public policy in 1981. He holds a master's degree in counseling and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Delaware., Dr. Weiner has been inducted into the John C. Liebeskind History of Pain Collection, UCLA Biomedical Library. He has served as a consultant in health care to the minister of health in several administrations. He has led and participated in numerous international medical exchange programs., Dr. Weiner is the editor of Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians and Innovations in Pain Management. He has authored over 50 published articles on pain management and has lectured before multidisciplinary pain management professionals at many prestigious worldwide bodies. He has held various posts and chaired scientific committees regarding health care policy., His important policy research interests include the relationship of pain to innovative treatment, coordinated multidisciplinary care, and measures of outcome.