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.

The essential companion to the Textbook of Pain, this book provides the pain specialist and trainee with an easy-to-access overview on the management complexities, assessment tools and multiple treatment modalities that are currently available to the physician dealing with the full spectrum of pain syndromes. The emphasis throughout is on the clinical aspects of pain medicine. It contains the core information that the practitioner and trainee needs. Each chapter is brief and succinctly written, with key information provided in accessible tables and summary charts. The book is divided into two main sections: clinical states (acute, chronic and cancer pain) and therapeutic aspects (pharmacological, surgical, physiotherapy, psychotherapy) - and it presents a rational, multidisciplinary approach to the management of pain.Designed for concise, quick reference Provides core information needed for accurate diagnosis and management of patients Accessible and affordable introduction to pain medicine Edited by Melzack & Wall themselves - giving reassurance that the information is from a knowledgeable and trusted source Suitable as a recommended text for pain specialists in training

This definitve clinical reference comprehensively reviews the most advanced methods for assessing the person in pain. Empirically supported instruments and procedures are detailed, including self-report measures, observational techniques, psychophysiological measures, and more. Best-practice recommendations are provided for assessing the most prevalent pain sydromes and for working with children, the elderly, and people with communication difficulties. The book also weighs in on the limitations of existing methods and identifies key directions for future research. New to this edition: tighter organization with more concise chapters and a heightened focus on practical clinical issues; incorporates significant advances in knowledge about pain and pain syndromes; numerous new or refined assessment instruments and procedures, including applications of advanced imaging techniques; and chapter providing an integrated, comprehensive assessment approach for any type of chronic pain.