John Bonica: Quotes about pain

John Bonica was Anesthesiologist; pioneer in pain management. Explore interesting quotes on pain.

John Bonica: 16 quotes0 likes

“I have declared war on pain.”

The Management of Pain (1954)

“Pain—one of the most pressing issues of out time.”

(1974) as quoted by Dennis C. Turk, Donald Meichenbaum, Myles Genest, Pain and Behavioral Medicine: A Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective (1983) p. 73

“No medical school has a pain curriculum…”

As quoted by Richard Weiner, "An interview with John J. Bonica, M.D." Pain Practitioner 1 (1989):2

“Nearly one-third of the population has persistent or recurrent chronic pain—and of those, one-half to two-thirds are either partially or totally disabled for periods of days, weeks, or months, and sometimes permanently.”

As quoted by Melinda Blau, "Conquering Pain: New Treatments, New Hope," New York Magazine (Mar 22, 1982)

“The crucial role of psychological and environmental factors in causing pain in a significant number of patients only recently received attention. As a consequence, there has emerged a sketch plan of pain apparatus with its receptors, conducting fibers, and its standard function which is to be applicable to all circumstances. But… in doing so, medicine has overlooked the fact that the activity of this apparatus is subject to the a constantly changing influence of the mind.”

The Management of Pain (1954) Preface to 1st edition

“The proper management of pain remains, after all, the most important obligation, the main objective, and the crowning achievement of every physician.”

The Management of Pain (1954)