Pain is felt by everyone, yet understanding its nature is fragmented across myriad modes of thought. In this compact, yet thoroughly integrative account uniting medical science, psychology, and the humanities Ronald Schleifer offers a deep and complex understanding along with possible strategies of dealing with pain in its most overwhelming forms. A perfect addition to many courses in medicine, healthcare, counseling psychology, and social work.
Ronald Schleifer is George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the Department of English at the University of Oklahoma, where he is also Adjunct Professor in Medicine. His most recent books include Intangible Materialism: The Body, Scientific Knowledge, and the Power of Language (2009), Modernism and Popular Music (2011), and The Chief Concern of Medicine: The Integration of the Medical Humanities and Narrative Knowledge into Medical Practice, co-authored with Dr. Jerry Vannatta (2013). He has served as editor of the scholarly journals Genre: Forms of Discourse and Culture and Configurations: A Journal of Literature, Science, and Technology.
Introduction: Chapter 1. The Fact and Experience of Pain: Science and the Humanities / Part I: The Nature of Pain: Chapter 2. The Physiology of Pain: How the Body Works / Chapter 3. The Phenomenon of Chronic Pain: Controversies and Understanding / Chapter 4. Treating Pain: Operations, Drug Therapy, Placebos, and Palliative Care / Part II: Experiences of Pain: Chapter 5. The Experience of Pain: The Nature of Suffering and the Meaning of Pain / Chapter 6. The Politics and Spirituality of Pain: Infants; Women; Torture; Religion; Pleasure and Pain / Part III: Living with Pain: Chapter 7. Caretakers and Sufferers Dealing with Pain / Appendix 1 Pain, Science, and the Humanities / Appendix 2: Online Resources Focused on the Nature and Treatment of Pain