At a time when Canada is struggling with a doctor-prescribed opioid crisis, this book offers a safe alternative for the millions of people who live with chronic pain: self-hypnosis, an ancient technique used today to soothe pain, both acute and long-lasting, with impressive results. This solution comes at a critical time: The typical prescription for pain-opioids-doesn't work for everyone, and comes with significant and even deadly side effects. The same goes for other medications. Dr. Ennis, a psychiatrist and world-class expert on chronic pain, reviews the disappointing evidence on pain-relief medications to build his case that self-hypnosis is a credible alternative therapy that can significantly reduce pain. He tells the fascinating medical history of hypnosis and shows readers, step by step, how to hypnotize themselves to relieve pain. This book includes the author's own compelling story of his struggle with severe chronic pain and his victory over it to live a life full of joy and fulfillment.

Dr. Jeffrey Ennis is a world-class expert in managing chronic non-cancer pain. Trained as a psychiatrist, he is the medical director of the Ennis Centre for Pain Management in Hamilton, Ontario. He is also an assistant clinical professor with appointments in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry at McMaster University Medical Centre. He has spoken about chronic pain at medical conferences across Canada, in England, and in Europe.

Dr. Ennis is also in the unusual position of being both an expert and a patient. He has dealt with his own chronic pain throughout most of his life and, in spite of this, he runs a busy medical practice and enjoys painting, building canoes and bows, and many other activities. He brings insight into the problems faced by patients with chronic pain while at the same time leading by example. His work has been presented on radio, television, and film. He lives in Dundas, Ontario, with his wife, Gilda, a physiotherapist. They have four sons and two grandchildren.

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