The Gift of Pain: Why We Hurt and What We Can Do About It Paperback – 13 September 1997

One of the best book I’ve read in my life.

It is difficult to understand, that pain could be seen as a gift.But the reports of people in this book, who don't know pain, are threatening.Surely, no one likes to endure pain - but without pain our life would be much more dangerous tohurts - and even to die.A book which is worthy to read.Also the childhood experiences of Dr. Brand are so good to read - the insight to a part of the Indian culture.

The main thesis is that pain is an invaluable part of our nervous system; to demonstrate this, the first part of the book charts much of Dr Brand’s early life, and his calling into medicine and – eventually – working with a leprosy mission in India as an orthopedic surgeon. I had already read his biography, ‘Ten Fingers for God’, less than a year ago; so some of the material was not new to me.Nonetheless, it was written in such an interesting way that I didn’t skim; there were extra reminiscences and asides which, as ever, were fascinating to read. There were also several medical histories which I had not previously read about.Excellent! Highly recommended. Christian input is low-key so likely to be of interest to anyone.

It's too bad the previous title doesn't "hit you" as well, because it also describes very much what the gift of pain is. No one wants to be in pain, especially if it lasts longer than necessary.However, Dr. Brand's reflections about pain were gripping, and for a memoir-style, reflective book, it was honestly "unputdownable." I read the entire book in only a couple of days, and with the other many things in my life, that says a lot. If I had had nothing else to do, I expect I would have finished the book in less than one day. The first night I didn't give up reading until 1 a.m.!I am a chronic pain patient, and had read a quote from this book and researched, found the quote, and decided to buy the book. It was a fascinating read and I DO better understand referred pain at this point. Really much of what it said I have already learned as I've read research and papers, etc., about pain, when it is good, when it goes bad, and how the nervous system works.Pain IS necessary in day-to-day life. I would never argue that. What becomes a problem is when the nervous system somehow goes awry and leaves a patient in unending pain with no hope of it changing. I would LOVE to figure out the way to endure pain like the fakirs he described. Though I did do well with pain in my history (including walking around on a broken heel and fibula while awaiting ankle surgery for two weeks - the fibula was after the diagnosis and scheduling of surgery and I couldn't see a reason to bother an ER about it if it could heal with the rest when the surgery was done), when my illness struck I tried to approach my pain the same way and failed miserably. Was it age? The type of pain? I'll never be sure.This book can be damaging to the wrong type of thinker, though. In suggesting pain is SO GOOD for us, it could leave someone who has never experienced long-term pain with an uncaring attitude that assumes pain ALWAYS serves a purpose, except at end of life. I would disagree with this from my own experience. When pain limits life and whatever is causing it cannot be treated to prevent more pain, it is reasonable to medicate enough to return some quality of life to the patient(NOT to the extent that the person is pain free; there is always a delicate balance between quality of life and over-medication). To do otherwise is cruel and inhumane.

I read this as part of a personal study regarding pain, and more specifically, attitudes toward pain.This was a fascinating read and great storytelling. It challenges modern perspectives while offering some practical solutions to the problem of pain.Dr. Brand also shares his concern for the new generation of Americans, in particular, "who [suffer] less but [fear] it more." It's a timely message, though it was written in the 90s.