Preface

To maintain good health and manage illness, it’s important to have helpful and reliable information. This is particularly true for the common and often-complicated problem of chronic pain.

Advances in the field of pain medicine continue to occur at a rapid pace. This new edition of Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief includes the most recent information on how the nervous system responds to painful illness and injury and common pain conditions such as low back pain, migraines and fibromyalgia.

The pain management strategies presented in this book are based on the expertise of Mayo Clinic physicians, psychologists, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists. We are indebted to the staff of Mayo Clinic’s Pain Rehabilitation Center, Pain Clinic and Fibromyalgia Treatment Program for their guidance and assistance.

We believe you’ll find this book to be a helpful and practical resource for effectively managing your pain and finding the relief you seek.

Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D.

Tracy E. Harrison, M.D.

Medical Editors