Chronic pain affects nearly half the UK population - 43%, or a staggering 28 million people. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that continues for longer than three months. It has a variety of causes including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, accidents or operations, although sometimes there is no apparent cause.

Self-management is an important approach to coping better and managing this long term condition. Written with humour, and making use of cartoons and line drawings, this book encapsulates 20 years of pain management courses given by Phil Sizer at Pain Association Scotland to patients, GPs, and other health professionals. Divided into three sections (Understanding, Managing, Coping) Its approach is based on a holistic, bio-psycho-social model of health including CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), positive psychology, relaxation, hypnotherapy, motivational interviewing and coaching.

Topics include:
introduction by Pain Association Scotland
understanding chronic pain - definitions, acute vs chronic
pacing – how to avoid over-doing
realistic goal-setting
stress management
relaxation and sleep
dealing with flare-ups
diet and foods to avoid
coping with unhelpful thinking (racing mind, anxiety and negative thoughts)
challenging limiting beliefs
relationships with others
accepting help
importance of humour – attitude and values
being a person not a condition