My Bookshelf
These are books that have shaped how I understand pain, illness, and the nervous system. Some are gentle introductions; others go deeper. Start wherever you feel drawn.
Understanding Pain
The Way Out by Alan Gordon
A hopeful, practical guide to how the brain can keep pain going long after an injury heals, and how to help it let go. Written by the creator of Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and one of the most accessible books on chronic pain I know.
Why Do I Hurt? by Adriaan Louw
A short, clear explanation of how pain really works, written for patients. If you’ve ever been confused by your scans or your symptoms, this is a wonderful place to start.
The MindBody Prescription by John E. Sarno
A pioneering book on the connection between emotions and physical pain, especially back pain. Many of today’s mind-body approaches trace back to his work.
The Mind-Body Connection
When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté
A compassionate look at how a lifetime of holding things in can show up in the body, drawn from the author’s years as a physician.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté
A broader look at how the way we live affects our health, and why so many people feel unwell in a world that calls this normal.
How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
A fascinating, science-based look at how the brain constructs emotions and sensations. It changed how I think about what we feel and why.
You Are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza
An inspiring look at how expectation and belief can shape what we feel in our bodies, drawing on research into the placebo effect. I recommend reading it as encouragement to explore your own mind-body connection, alongside, never instead of, your medical care.
The Nervous System and Healing
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A landmark book on how overwhelming experiences are held in the body, and the many paths toward healing.
In an Unspoken Voice by Peter A. Levine
From the founder of Somatic Experiencing, this book explores how the body naturally releases what overwhelms it, and how we can help it do so gently.
Befriending Your Nervous System by Deb Dana
A warm, practical introduction to understanding your nervous system’s states, from someone who makes polyvagal ideas easy to use in daily life.
These books are for learning and reflection. They aren’t a substitute for care from your medical team. If you’d like support applying these ideas to your own body, book a free consultation.