Suppose I stopped taking aspirin and phenylbutazone? What…
““Suppose I stopped taking aspirin and phenylbutazone? What about the pain? The bones in my spine and practically every joint in my body felt as though I had been run over by a truck. I knew that pain could be affected by attitudes. Most people become panicky about almost any pain. On all sides they have been so bombarded with advertisements about pain that they take this or that analgesic at the slightest sign of an ache. We are largely illiterate about pain and so are seldom able to deal with it rationally. Pain is part of the body's magic. It is the way the body transmits a sign to the body that something is wrong.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pain signals bodily harm and can be influenced by mindset; understanding it reduces dependence on medication.
In simple terms: Pain is a warning sign that can be managed with attitude.
Learn to interpret pain rather than just mask it.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- chronic illness
- rehabilitation
- stress coping
- medical decision‑making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you differentiate harmful pain from normal discomfort?
- What attitudes help you cope with chronic pain?
Mindset alone cannot eliminate severe medical conditions.