Paul Biegler-a science journalist and former doctor-has interviewed the world's leading pain experts, along with people who have weathered their own chronic pain battles. Chronic pain is the single biggest cause of suffering. And yet, pain that persists for more than three months is often unrelated to any physical injury. So why does it still hurt? From neuroplasticity to sensitized nervous systems and associative learning-Dr. Biegler's journey through pain clinics and studies debunks common myths about pain treatments and explores the pivotal recent brain science that explains why a nervous system holds on to pain pathways, and how to retrain the brain and the body. Discover what we can learn from the leading pain doctors and the pain clinics that offer no pain medications but still have excellent (and fast) results. Dr. Biegler, who also has training in Bioethics, offers anecdotes from other physicians, like the tennis-playing doctor who got fixated on "tennis elbow" and the psychologist who conducted a study on the ^effectiveness of painkillers based not on the drug itself but on a doctor's personal belief in the drug. Along the way, Dr. Biegler also chronicles the pain and healing of several chronic pain sufferers, and teaches crucial lessons about combating issues that persist, including practical strategies for living with reduced pain for the long term. Why Does It Still Hurt? is a must-read for anyone with chronic pain who wants cutting-edge knowledge and help to live pain-free.