Despite being young and active, Melanie Thernstrom, writer for New York Times Magazine, began suffering from chronic pain many years ago. Her struggle inspired her to write the book, “The Pain Chronicles: Cures, Myths, Mysteries, Prayers, Diaries, Brain Scans, Healing, and the Science of Suffering.” To research the topic, Thernstrom shadowed doctors and talked with patients about their experiences with pain. The result is an interdisciplinary account of pain that explores the phenomenon through science, history, philosophy, and memoir. Hers is a solid attempt to make sense of something that many of us experience, but very few understand.
For full article on the book and an interview with Thernstrom: http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2010/08/22/pain_chronicles_ext2010