Encountering Pain

A unique compilation of voices that speak to the phenomenon of persistent pain and how it can be better communicated. 

What is pain—and how do we communicate it? Persistent pain changes the brain and nervous system so that it can no longer warn of danger. However, despite being a major cause of disability globally, pain remains difficult to communicate. As language struggles to bridge the gap between those who suffer from pain and those who are trying to help, this book shares leading research into the potential value of visual images and non-verbal forms of communication as means of improving interactions between clinicians and their patients. Accompanied by vivid photographs co-created with those who live with pain, the volume integrates the voices of leading scientists, academics, and contemporary artists to provide a manual for understanding the meanings of pain for healthcare professionals, pain patients, students, academics, and artists.