Tell Me Where It Hurts - by Rachel Zoffness (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Every one of us will experience pain, be it back pain, the pain of childbirth, or living in an aging body. Not a single one of us will escape. But what if everything you thought you knew about pain was...wrong?

We've been told that pain is purely physical, something to do just with bones and body parts. The truth is that pain is constructed by the brain - influenced not just by injuries, but also by emotions, expectations, and environment. This means you have infinitely more control over pain than you ever imagined: because if the brain can change, pain can change.

Rooted in cutting-edge neuroscience and rich patient stories, Dr. Rachel Zoffness completely upends the myths we've been sold - finally reconnecting physical and emotional pain, and providing a roadmap for healing. The fact is that chronic pain is treatable. But to do that, we must target the whole person - not just a body part. A groundbreaking, revolutionary book that finally offers access to the world's most powerful painkiller: YOU.

Review Quotes

"If you follow the recommendations in this book, I can assure you that it will change your life."

--Layne Norton, PhD, Doctor of nutritional sciences, Author of Fat Loss Forever

"A seminal text that enlightens both chronic pain sufferers AND all healthcare providers. Drawing from decades of neuroscience and bedside experience, Dr. Zoffness demystifies pain and constructs an actionable path toward healing. This is THE missing link for patients seeking empowerment and clinicians seeking efficacy. This book should be core medical school curriculum."
--Nancy Chang MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center

"Every young physician can benefit from a dose of "Zoffness training." (Give early and often. Side effects include: awareness, empathy, less over-treatment, improved outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction.)"
--Ron Turker, MD, former Director of the Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Pain Clinic, and Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Oregon Health and Sciences University

"For anyone who has ever felt dismissed by the medical community, or told that pain is 'all in their head, ' Tell Me Where It Hurts finally offers science-based truth: it reconnects physical and emotional pain, validates the reality of suffering, and demonstrates true hope for healing. Brilliant, timely and important."
--Lori Gottlieb, LMFT, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

"In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Zoffness dismantles outdated myths about pain and brilliantly reveals new ways to overcome it. Filled with the latest science, this is a must read for both doctors and patients, and frankly anyone grappling with chronic pain."

--William W. Li, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Eat To Beat Disease and Eat To Beat Your Diet, former faculty at Harvard Medical School

"Pain is too often overtreated, undertreated, or mistreated. Zoffness solves many the mysteries of pain and provides practical advice how best to reduce and live with it. The writing has my highest praise--not a wasted word, wasted paragraph, or wasted chapter. Equally useful for patients, clinicians, and families."
--Allen Frances, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, author of Saving Normal

"The must-have book every doctor and patient didn't know they were missing. With beautiful stories and practical science, Tell Me Where It Hurts offers a clear and hopeful roadmap for healing chronic pain. Engaging, timely, and essential."
--Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety

"There are many self-help books aimed at the pain sufferer - but this one is superb, as it is both educational and action-oriented. Dr. Zoffness's marvelous book should be part of every chronic pain patient's treatment before they're referred for the myriad interventions that characterize American pain medicine. Those who treat chronic pain would be wise to base their care on this book."
--John D. Loeser, M.D., Professor Emeritus, Neurological Surgery and Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, University of Washington; Past President of the International Association for the Study of Pain

"This book is a must read for anyone struggling with chronic pain. Filled with moving stories and the latest science, Zoffness explains how pain works and why so many treatments fall short. Her message is ultimately a hopeful one: By changing our brains we can lessen our pain. I highly recommend."
--Anna Lembke, MD, Professor and Medical Director, Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, Stanford University, New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation

"What if pain isn't just a signal--but a story your body is trying to tell? In this powerful, compassionate book, Dr. Rachel Zoffness blends science and stories to reveal why pain lingers and what to do when medicine has no answers. As a physician, I was humbled by how much I didn't know. This book is essential--for anyone living with pain, and for those who care for them."

--Lisa Sanders MD, Professor, Yale School of Medicine, New York Times bestselling author of Every Patient Tells a Story

About the Author

Dr. Rachel Zoffness MS, PhD is a leading global pain expert, pain psychologist, speaker, author, disruptor and thought-leader in pain medicine. She's faculty at the UCSF School of Medicine, former pain education faculty at Dartmouth, and winner of the prestigious Mayday Fellowship.