Tell Me Where It Hurts

What if pain isn’t just a signal—but a story your body is trying to tell? In this powerful, compassionate book, Dr. Rachel Zoffness blends science and stories to reveal why pain lingers and what to do when medicine has no answers. As a physician, I was humbled by how much I didn’t know. This book is essential—for anyone living with pain, and for those who care for them – Lisa Sanders, MD, Professor, Yale School of Medicine, author of Every Patient Tells a StoryIf you follow the recommendations in this book, I can assure you that it will change your life – Layne Norton, doctor of nutritional sciencesThe must-have book every doctor and patient didn’t know they were missing. With beautiful stories and practical science, Tell Me Where It Hurts offers a clear and hopeful roadmap for healing chronic pain. Engaging and essential – Judson Brewer, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, author of Unwinding AnxietyThe path of mastery demands we challenge outdated models — and pain medicine is long overdue. In Tell Me Where It Hurts, Dr. Zoffness offers a radically human, science-backed reframe: pain isn’t just physical, but emotional, social, and deeply personal — a signal to understand, not a problem to fix. A masterclass in healing – Michael Gervais, psychologist, author of Finding MasteryThis book is a must read for anyone struggling with chronic pain. Filled with moving stories and the latest science, Zoffness explains how pain works and why so many treatments fall short. Her message is ultimately a hopeful one: by changing our brains we can lessen our pain. I highly recommend – Anna Lembke, MD, Professor and Medical Director, Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, Stanford University, author of Dopamine NationIn this groundbreaking book, Dr. Zoffness dismantles outdated myths about pain and brilliantly reveals new ways to overcome it. Filled with the latest science, this is a must read for both doctors and patients, and frankly anyone grappling with chronic pain – William W. Li, MD, author of Eat To Beat DiseasePain is too often overtreated, undertreated, or mistreated. Zoffness solves many the mysteries of pain and provides practical advice how best to reduce and live with it. The writing has my highest praise - not a wasted word, wasted paragraph, or wasted chapter. Equally useful for patients, clinicians, and families – Allen Frances, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, author of Saving NormalThere are many self-help books aimed at the pain sufferer – but this one is superb, as it is both educational and action-oriented. Dr. Zoffness’s marvellous book should be part of every chronic pain patient’s treatment before they’re referred for the myriad interventions that characterize pain medicine. Those who treat chronic pain would be wise to base their care on this book – John D. Loeser, MD, Professor Emeritus, Neurological Surgery and Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, University of WashingtonA seminal text that enlightens both chronic pain sufferers AND all healthcare providers. Drawing from decades of neuroscience and bedside experience, Dr. Zoffness demystifies pain and constructs an actionable path toward healing. This is THE missing link for patients seeking empowerment and clinicians seeking efficacy. This book should be core medical school curriculum – Nancy Chang MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Columbia University Medical CenterWhat I have learned from Dr. Zoffness has changed my life. In the grasp of life-altering pain, it’s easy to wonder if anyone really gets it. Who can solve a Rubik’s cube with so many sides? Demystifying this is Dr. Zoffness’s life’s work. Tell Me Where It Hurts is science-backed insight from a practitioner who tackles the toughest cases. This book parts the clouds – Henry Abbott, award-winning journalist, author of Ballistic

Dr. Rachel Zoffness MS, PhD is a leading pain expert and pain psychologist. She’s an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Medicine, lectures at Stanford, and is a winner of the prestigious Mayday Fellowship. She has served on the Board of Directors of the US Association for the Study of Pain and the Society of Pediatric Pain Medicine, and consults on the development of integrative pain programs around the world.