The Journey to Pain Relief: A Hands-On Guide to Breakthroughs in Pain Treatment

Phyllis Berger
Hunter House (2007)
ISBN 9780897934695
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/07)


“The Journey to Pain Relief,” by Phyllis Berger, is broken down into 12 chapters.  The Appendix at the end covers Acupuncture Techniques for Specific Conditions, Treatment with TENS and Treatment with MDC.

“The Journey to Pain Relief” begins by defining the difference between acute and chronic pain.  Acute pain “serves as a warning that an injury has taken place.”  Chronic pain is pain that never seems to go away.  “The key to preventing chronic pain is to treat acute pain immediately.”  Chronic pain can have serious penalties for both the body and the mind.  Pain affects us emotionally as well as physically.  Pain can cause us to limit our movements in a particular area and it may create emotional stress.  The higher our level of pain the more fear helplessness and anxiety we may feel.  These emotions lead to sleep problems and depression. 

“You have the right to seek relief from pain.”  You should talk to your doctor about your pain and he or she should listen.  A patient needs to be proactive.  Try to gather as much information as possible. 

Find a way to laugh.  Laughter seems to lower blood pressure, reduces stress, and strengthens the immune system.  “Patients with chronic pain should seek out situations and activities that bring joy, happiness, and laughter into their lives in order to strengthen their system, uplift their spirits, and reduce the depression, anxiety and fear associated with pain.”

Phyllis Berger brings hope to those who suffer chronic pain.  I wish I had read this book before having four back surgeries.  “The Journey to Pain Relief” is written in simple terms making it easy to read and understand.  Ms. Berger promotes patient education.  I found “The Journey to Pain Relief” to be very informative and helpful.  Ms. Berger’s credentials and personal experience lends credence to the information found in this book.  I highly recommend this book to all that suffer chronic pain.

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