The Pain-Free Mindset

As Medical Director of the Blackberry Clinic Group, I am confronted on a daily basis by patients in chronic musculoskeletal pain.The Pain-Free Mindset written by my colleague, Dr Deepak Ravindran, is the encapsulation of two decades of his experience in the field of chronic pain.It resonates with my experience in the complexities of pain which is a subjective experience, unique to the beholder.As physicians, we try to extract the biopsychosocial features responsible for creating obstacles to recovery. However, the best person to extract this information is the patient themselves.By reading this book, one can appreciate the benefits but also the shortcomings of traditional treatments allowing exploration of the integrated approach enabling each patient to evaluate the importance of each aspect of the pain-free MINDSET. This acronym is for Medication, Interventions, Neuroscience, Drugs, Sleep, Exercise and Therapies for mind and body.One of the overriding characteristics of a patient in chronic pain is that of anxiety as a result of not understanding the reason for their predicament. This can be a factor maintaining the painful experience itself. If Dr Ravindran’s book can alleviate that anxiety by his articulate and concise explanation of the pain experience then this book will be the true first step to recovery.I have already started recommending this book to patients and colleagues.

This book presents an unique and novel approach of understanding the complexities of chronic pain management. For decades, pain management has always been about medical interventions, whether that be drugs or surgeries in some shape or form. Dr Ravindran brings his enormous experience in pain management to the fore when he presents his novel approach, an approach which doesn’t leave chronic pain sufferers at the mercy of addictive drugs and surgeries. This is not to say that drugs and invasive interventions don’t have a role to play in chronic pain management, but to emphasise the multi-faceted approach giving patients a wide array of choices and lifestyle measures that would not only make them less dependent on drugs but also help them achieve a life independent of pain.This first title from Dr Ravindran will be an eye opener for chronic pain patients and their treating doctors alike.

As a GP I read a lot of these books and this one is special. It explains pain in a way that makes sense, yet gets across the complexity of the pain experience in an understandable way with practical tips about how to manage pain, taking into account the pillars of health and the whole person. I have already bought another one for a family member (I’ve highlighted and scribbled notes through my copy for later reference) and will be recommending this to patients and trainees going forward. Well done on a great book.

A fantastic book. After suffering chronic pain since 2013 this is the first time I have understood why. No longer anxious and have control of what happens. Would recommend all GPs and pain nurses read this it will help thousands. Cannot put into words how much this has helped me put my chronic pain into perspective.

What a brilliant, and accessible read of everything you need to know about pain, chronic pain and living with pain. Where it comes from, how it manifests, and how to manage it to improve your quality of life. Thank you Dr Deepak for this wonderful book, and it will help so many people to live better with their pain.