Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all the narration of this book is fine but I was a bit thrown off by the use of a British narrator when the Mayo clinic is famously and American hospital. I didn't mind that that the narrator had an accent but there were some words that had are pronounced differently due to the accent and I can imagine that when dealing with medical issues this might be something that should be avoided for clarity's sake.
As for the content of this book, I was a bit underwhelmed. I found a lot of the content of this book to very basic and "entry level". I think there is a lot of very important information included in this book but if you are a person who has been dealing with pain issues (acute or chronic) for a while, this is probably not the book for you considering you have probably heard all of this before.
One of the things I thought was very good about this book, is that it addresses the ways pain affects life outside of pain management, including for loved ones and caregivers. There is a chapter specifically dedicated to addressing parents of children in need of pain relief, including addressing avoiding addiction.

This was avgreat resource for managing pain. Including using exercise managing your stress and your diet and how all of these play into your body that help in managing your pain. This has a lot of good suggestions and a very good resource for anyone with pain issues.

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for letting me share my honest opinions of this audiobook.

This is the book I wish I had years back to help me understand how manoeuvre through the health system, chronic pain sits in one of those grey areas, and it was confusing and more complicated than it needed to be, so having this book would have just helped in so many other ways. I say this as it’s written more to show how the process works, not really how to manage it, which I would have liked more of.
But I’m not really the reader for this one, a large part of it covers medication for chronic pain, I tend to use the more holistic approach, which is covered here but not as much.

So, it’s not perfect, but this medical space is not perfect, there’s a lot of work to be done, so reading this would be just a good place to start.

I was a bit disappointed - which I guess is my usual response anymore to "pain relief" books, since I've read so many and rarely found any new information. This guide is fine, especially for those who may be new to chronic pain/illness, but it doesn't offer any new information. And frankly, some of the information it does offer is condescending and cruel - that medication shouldn't be "relied on," that you should be able to just "positive think" your way out of pain, etc. The usual tripe we get served by medical specialists and well-meaning but clueless family and friends, all of whom have never experienced chronic pain or chronic illness themselves and have NO IDEA what it's like to struggle EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. with no end in sight.

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief by Wesley P. Gilliam and Bruce Sutor, M.D. is an interesting book about pain and pain management. It covers a lot of science behind what pain is and why we experience it which is fascinating. The pain relief/management aspect of the book felt a bit common sense to me and aside from the certain effects of drugs I don't feel like I got anything new from it.

This book was very informational. I sure learned a lot and I hope I can use my I learned in my daily life.

Very informative and in depth book for pain therapy. I am planning on using tips I have learned.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dreamscape audio for the arc of this audiobook.

Super helpful!

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about pain, especially if they suffer from it.

Thank You to Wesley P. Gilliam and Bruce Sutor, M.D. and Dreamscape Media, for the audio-digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief​ by ​Wesley P. Gilliam; Bruce Sutor, M.D.
Narrated by Leanne Woodward; Nano Nagle

​Thank you to Netgalley, Wesley P. Gilliam; Bruce Sutor, M.D., and Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is an audio book with the key to relieving pain - chronic or otherwise - through both traditional and modern methods. It talks about how pain occurs, why we feel pain in the first place, its mechanisms, and objectives. The book also educates on the side effects of pain - mentally and emotionally - for both the person experiencing it and their family. It provides healthy coping mechanisms, solutions, and medications. It informs on how a person should be treated while they are suffering from pain.

The book also contains a detailed list of medicines used for different kinds of pain, their effects, side effects, and dosage, while cautioning that it is important not to self-diagnose. It also talks about the safe disposal of used or unused medicines.

The book also includes additional methods such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, reiki, etc., to relieve chronic pain along with regular medications.

It advises on how to balance our lives while experiencing pain and how not to succumb to negativity during this experience.

The narrator's pronunciation was clear and perfect for the audio book. Her voice felt soothing while I listened to it while doing my daily chores.

The only drawback I felt was that most of the medicines and methods suggested in this book largely apply to American residents. The tips and advice may apply universally, but the specific knowledge provided may not apply to people in other countries.

Regardless, this is a great book to learn about the process of how we feel pain and how to balance our lives without being crippled by it.

This is a fascinating book that gives a lot of insight to a very real subject. As a person with chronic pain, I appreciated some of the insights and potential help given.

The narration was very good.

The "Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief" by Wesley P. Gilliam and Bruce Sutor, M.D., is an empowering resource for those grappling with chronic pain. Based on Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center's program, the book offers comprehensive insights into pain management, empowering readers to reclaim an active and fulfilling life.

I rated this guide 4 stars as it provides practical information grounded in the latest pain science and chronic pain management techniques. The inclusion of the brain's role, behavioral aspects, and a positive approach adds depth to the understanding of pain. The book covers various strategies, including medications, injections, and exercise, encouraging a holistic approach. Whether you're seeking to understand the science behind pain or exploring effective methods for managing it, this guide offers a well-researched, accessible, and compassionate resource for individuals looking to regain control of their lives.

Thank you, NetGalley, Mayo Clinic, and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook. This book is a good review of pain, both acute and chronic, and the many treatment options available. The book describes first pain in teenagers and then in adults and how different things in life can affect a person’s pain level, such as sleep, routines, medications, etc. This book does give the great advice of finding a excellent team of doctors who will believe that your pain is real and have research based standards of care to treat your pain appropriately. This book is a good primer for anyone interested pain and a small sample of the available treatments, but I felt like it ended somewhat abruptly even though the authors did seem to try to have a wrap up chapter.

I liked this book up until the 75% mark then I felt that it got a bit preachy and talked a lot about BMI which I feel is junk science and then told you not to be a burden on your friends and family and that is where it lost me.

I did get some ideas out of it and I liked the chapter on pain clinic visits and what to ask and ideas.

The narration by Leanne Woodward; Nano Nagle was well done.

Like I said 75% of this book was good, I could have done without the last 25%.

3 stars

I received this audiobook from the publisher Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.

I was excited when NetGalley made this audiobook available to me because I am very interested in the subject matter. As pointed out in the beginning, it's important and even possible to deal with chronic pain. Unfortunately, the information was very basic and I don't feel like I learned anything.
The presentation is good for someone who is unfamiliar with the topic. The book goes through several different methods of pain relief, such as painkillers, antidepressants, and other ways of dealing with pain. There are several questions you can ask yourself when deciding what choices to make and exercises that you can do to deal with your issues.

I read the audiobook version of the Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief. The narrator's voice was fine to listen to and didn't bother me, though I did have to increase the speed, which is not typical for me. The book is supposed to come with exercises, so I think a printed version would probably be best to read.

I've had chronic pain most of my life, starting when I was a long distance runner in high school, 20+ years ago. Since I've tried many types of treatments over my life, the book disappointed me. I think it would be better suited for someone newly diagnosed with chronic pain who's less familiar with treatments and terminology. This book told me a lot of what I already knew and didn't provide much hope for resolving my problems. I expected to find more ideas and suggestions on how to deal with and relieve my chronic pain.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief: How to Better Manage Pain and Regain Function
By Wesley P. Gilliam, Bruce Sutor, narrated by Nano Nagle

By my early twenties I had developed osteoarthritis. Many decades later it affects most of my body but I've gotten along pretty well most of the time although I've had some long periods where my hips bother me in ways that interfere with my daily life. About twenty five years ago I was one happy camper because I was prescribed Vioxx and that drug made a huge difference in pain relief. Then a few years later the drug was taken off the market due to the harm it could cause to the body. Since then I mostly avoid any prescription drugs if possible and have made use of many of the things you can do on your own, that this book mentions. Eventually I may need both hips replaced but for now I'm able to be active and can deal with the discomfort when it hits. But I know that there is a limit to how much I can allow the pain to increase if I cannot find relief from it. I'd prefer not to resort to strong drugs and at this time, after hearing the list of drugs, what they can do, and their side effects, I want to continue to make use of the other ways to deal with chronic pain that this book mentions.

About the narrator, Nano Nagle: She has such a pleasant voice that I know I want to listen to her narrate more books. That voice made listening to this pain management book so much easier than a more robotic voice. She was a great choice and even though I listened to the book at the speed of 1.5 (usually I listen to fiction at 1.2/1.25) it was very easy to absorb all that she said.

Not every chapter of this book will be a fit for every person although I did get something from each of the chapters. Never having kids, the chapter on teens with chronic pain might have been one I could have skipped but I was interested in it since my hip pain had its beginning when I was a teen. My parents were never involved in my body pains, they were very busy working long hours at a self owned business. It was interesting hearing how parents could help or hinder their children who have chronic pain. Even though my parents weren't active in helping me because the doctor said my pains were "growing pains" so were supposed to go away with time, my parents were also too busy to hinder me in the ways some parents might have done by hovering over the teen.

All types of pain medicines are described and that part of the book left me knowing I'm glad that I've developed a team of doctors who know I don't want drugs thrown at me willy nilly. If I take a prescription drug, I want to know why I'm taking it, the risks and limitations, and for how long the treatment is meant to go on. The book mentions these concerns and makes clear how important it is to be an active partner by understanding why you might take a prescription drug or undertake any of the many other types of treatments out there. Also mentioned is the fact that there are those who will tout "cures" where there are no cures. When a person has been living with chronic pain for a very long time, it can be easy to want to grab at the "sure cure", but we have to be discerning at all times.

What I do, all the time, is incorporate healthy eating and exercise on a daily basis and the book stresses the importance of these habits. I also try to get good sleep, which the book stresses. I do have sleep problems so I'm getting help with that part of my life. My hip pain makes my sleep problems worse but also being exhausted makes my hip problems worse. The book mentions how having a well balanced life and moderation can help a person to deal with their chronic pain better. For me, this book underlines things I know I'm doing right but it also highlights areas where I can do a lot better. I need those reminders and it also helps to have a better idea of the options out there now to help one deal with pain. The authors also talk about how important it is to communicate with your health care professionals but also with your family and friends. Chronic pain can cause a person to isolate and stop doing what is important to them and it can also cause those who know that person to pull back from them because they don't know how they should act towards someone with chronic pain.

A PDF can be downloaded to go with this book.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Mayo Clinic Press, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book was listened to as an audiobook and I was quite excited by the subject matter.
The book was broken up into chapters and covered things like help with your teen, different drug categories and what they do, and the things that you can do to help alleviate chronic pain, such as exercise, diet and support.

While this may be a good strong starting base for those people who have either been recently diagnosed or are coming to terms with the fact that their life will be altered with chronic pain, it didn't unfortunately tell me much that I didn't already know. I am no expert in this field but a healthy body and mind is a staple for any condition and not really groundbreaking news. I was a little bit disappointed in the fact that there was nothing really new.

Some chapters, especially the opening one, were an interesting read but others, such as the ones solely on different medications, scientific names for the drugs and their side effects, were not interesting audiobook listening at all. This book as a research book, where you could look up the information that you need at the time would be a much better selling point than an audio copy where you are very likely to tune out after scientific name after scientific names are thrown out there.

The chapters on supporting your teen, I found a little odd as surely this would apply to younger children and supporting other family members just as well as a teen. There is some good advice about supporting those you love and helping them cope with their lifestyle of pain. If the word teen wasn't said 2 or 3 times in each sentence it might have made listening a tad less grating.

The narrators did a fantastic job, especially with the medically correct drug names.

All in all, nothing really new and groundbreaking for me although for others in a new situation or supporting role may find this a useful research book.

My thanks to Netgalley, the authors and publishers for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

As a person with chronic pain I was hoping that the updated version would have some newer information that I was not aware of. It did not. This book may be informative for someone who is new to chronic pain or has a loved one with chronic pain. However as someone who already lives with chronic pain and has been trying different treatments for years, the book fell flat. I did not feel any sort of hope of anything changing for me after reading it. It just felt like, I have pain and I have to deal with it. It really is a rehash of treatments, what they are like, and pushing the fact that opioids are dangerous. So overall a disappointment to me.

For a new reader to this book, I would not recommend the audiobook version. It does come with a PDF of exercises which was not available with the review copy, so I can not be sure of all of the information available on it; there is a lot of information in the book that one would need to see in writing. This includes names and spellings of medications and treatments. and possible resources that one may wish to look up. These may be available on the PDF, but I am not sure so it is safer to read the print/e-book version.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief is a standalone resource for pain management. It is definitely a resource, but it really didn’t scream new information. There was a lot of discussion on SMART goals and I was hoping for more tips on how to relieve pain and not just live with it.

I was really annoyed with the narration. The Mayo Clinic is an American medical establishment, and they chose a very British narrator. I don’t know if it was meant to make the book sound “smarter”, but it felt pretentious, and I was annoyed by the British pronunciation of words…it felt like listening to AI read a book with the mispronunciations.

By the end of the book, I felt like the message was suck it up, don’t feel sorry for yourself, and try these things. I was hoping for more information on the things I can do to help my pain versus how to life my best life with pain.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a great book for a select group of people. If you are a person who is new to chronic pain then the Mayo Clinic's guide will likely be very informative and helpful. But if you've been dealing with your pain for a while, this probably won't be too insightful.

I'm a healthcare provider and I help many people with chronic pain syndromes. There are tips/suggestions in this book that I will incorporate in my treatment plans with these patients.

I was a little disappointed to not have access to the exercise pdfs that were mentioned in the audiobook, but I understand that I was granted access to an early copy and supplemental material isn't a guarantee.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Mayo Clinic for this copy to review.