Book Review: Pain Sense

We know that acute pain serves as an alarm that keeps us from further injury. Could chronic pain be a protective signal, too?

In Pain Sense, Dr. Stephen Hussey introduces a concept I hadn’t encountered before as it relates to our bodies: coherence. It describes a state in which the body's systems communicate effectively—a kind of internal harmony.

Taking a fresh look at human physiology, Dr. Hussey explains our bodies as a dynamic (and beautiful and fascinating) matrix of non-hierarchical, non-linear systems, one in which “cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ communication has to happen constantly”. When that coherence frays, one tool the nervous system uses to protect us is to signal pain - constructed by the brain, but certainly not imagined.

The first half of Pain Sense demystifies the origins of chronic pain, establishing a hopeful framework. The second half delivers practical guidance “to addressing chronic pain – and all disease”. Titled “Eliminating Pain”, it offers in-depth chapters on a wide range of metabolic interventions, a concise “Pain-Free Lifestyle Summary”, recommended reading, and a helpful list of tools and resources.

Beyond the practical, Pain Sense offers perspective that emphasizes both science and meaning. In "Closing Thoughts: Are We Living Life or Something Like It?" Dr. Hussey validates that modern-day conventional wisdom is often dissatisfying, if not destructive, and urges us to find the happiness and satisfaction that is still, truly possible. This is ultimately a deeply hopeful guide—not just to alleviating chronic pain, but to restoring coherence at the level of our cells, organs, bodies, relationships, and beyond.

I can't recommend it highly enough.