Description

Book Synopsis

'An enthralling read' - Dr Rachel Clarke, bestselling author of Dear Life
A Royal Society Science Prize shortlisted author
'A remarkable book' - Sunday Times
__________

What is phantom limb pain? Can words actually hurt? Why do we experience pain, even after we've healed?

We know pain when we feel it. We fear it and try to avoid it. But do we know what it really is? We're currently experiencing a Renaissance in pain science. In recent years our understanding of pain has altered so radically it's fair to say that everything we thought we knew about pain is wrong. As Dr Monty Lyman reveals, we misunderstand pain - with harmful consequences.

Exploring cutting-edge research that encompasses everything from phantom aches to persistent pain, as well as interviews with survivors of torture and those who have never felt pain, Dr Lyman not only provides hope for reducing and managing pain but takes us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

This is the untold story of pain - our most elusive feeling.

'Accessible and well-written... Dr Lyman takes us into the world of pain' Mail on Sunday
__________

Praise for Monty Lyman and The Remarkable Life of the Skin

- 'Seriously entertaining'
The Times

- 'A talented new writer'
Sunday Times

- 'Beautifully written, revealing and surprising' Daily Mail

- 'Imaginatively told' The Spectator

- 'An absorbing, fact-packed study' Nature

- 'What a read it is' Vogue

- 'Fascinating' Daily Express



Trade Review
A remarkable book that explores the boundaries and the meaning of pain - and how conventional understanding and treatment are failing us. * Sunday Times *
An accessible and well-written book... [Dr Lyman] takes us into the world of pain: its weirdness, its growing pervasiveness and how it's been misunderstood for centuries. * Mail on Sunday *

The Painful Truth: The new science of why we hurt

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    £10.44

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Monty Lyman

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Painful Truth: The new science of why we hurt by Monty Lyman

      Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
      Publication Date: 10/02/2022
      ISBN13: 9781529176506, 978-1529176506
      ISBN10: 1529176506

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'An enthralling read' - Dr Rachel Clarke, bestselling author of Dear Life
      A Royal Society Science Prize shortlisted author
      'A remarkable book' - Sunday Times
      __________

      What is phantom limb pain? Can words actually hurt? Why do we experience pain, even after we've healed?

      We know pain when we feel it. We fear it and try to avoid it. But do we know what it really is? We're currently experiencing a Renaissance in pain science. In recent years our understanding of pain has altered so radically it's fair to say that everything we thought we knew about pain is wrong. As Dr Monty Lyman reveals, we misunderstand pain - with harmful consequences.

      Exploring cutting-edge research that encompasses everything from phantom aches to persistent pain, as well as interviews with survivors of torture and those who have never felt pain, Dr Lyman not only provides hope for reducing and managing pain but takes us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

      This is the untold story of pain - our most elusive feeling.

      'Accessible and well-written... Dr Lyman takes us into the world of pain' Mail on Sunday
      __________

      Praise for Monty Lyman and The Remarkable Life of the Skin

      - 'Seriously entertaining'
      The Times

      - 'A talented new writer'
      Sunday Times

      - 'Beautifully written, revealing and surprising' Daily Mail

      - 'Imaginatively told' The Spectator

      - 'An absorbing, fact-packed study' Nature

      - 'What a read it is' Vogue

      - 'Fascinating' Daily Express



      Trade Review
      A remarkable book that explores the boundaries and the meaning of pain - and how conventional understanding and treatment are failing us. * Sunday Times *
      An accessible and well-written book... [Dr Lyman] takes us into the world of pain: its weirdness, its growing pervasiveness and how it's been misunderstood for centuries. * Mail on Sunday *

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