Committed to enhancing health, safety and justice through compassion and understanding
Committed to enhancing health, safety and justice through compassion and understanding
About Lynn R.Webster M.D.
Lynn R. Webster M.D. is a physician, researcher, and author. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Nebraska and a residency in the University of Utah’s Department of Anesthesiology. He is board certified in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and addiction medicine.
Dr. Webster is a past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). He is the author of The Painful Truth: What Chronic Pain Is Really Like and Why It Matters to Each of Us (Oxford University Press) and co-producer of the video documentary, "The Painful Truth," that has aired on Public Broadcasting stations throughout the United States.
Major Achievements
In November 2021, my colleagues and I submitted an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to support a request to overturn the conviction of Xiulu Ruan, MD. He was convicted in a lower court of prescribing a controlled substance without a “legitimate medical purpose” and not in “the usual course of practice,” which are the requirements set by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Our Amici argued that Dr. Ruan’s conviction, along with other similar cases involving prescribers, are unlawful. The overarching argument we made centered on intent.
Latest Book
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
In November 2021, my colleagues and I submitted an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to support a request to overturn the conviction of Xiulu Ruan, MD. He was convicted in a lower court of prescribing a controlled substance without a “legitimate medical purpose” and not in “the usual course of practice,” which are the requirements set by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Our Amici argued that Dr. Ruan’s conviction, along with other similar cases involving prescribers, are unlawful. The overarching argument we made centered on intent.
Pain & Addiction
Chronic Pain Stories
Read the stories of people who are hurting the most from the fallout of pain and addiction.
Opioid Risk Tool
The Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) is a
six-question, self-administered tool for practitioners.
Praise for Dr. Lynn Webster’s Work
“We would all do well to heed the call of those forced to live with chronic pain. This excellent book is a very good place to start.”
—The Rev. George Anthony Hoeltzel, Episcopal priest, Yonkers, New York
“As someone who works on behalf of people in pain and who also knows what it's like to experience chronic pain, I highly recommend this book. One of the most hope-filled, helpful books on pain I've ever read.”
—Janet Favero Chambers, president, National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
“This book should be read by every severe pain patient and pain practitioner. It captures the essence of our dreams and challenges to bring meaningful pain care to every suffering patient.”
—Forest Tennant M.D., Dr. P.H., Veract Intractable Pain Clinic and Editor, Practical Pain Management
Videos
The Painful Truth (full-length documentary)
It Hurts Until You Die (full-length documentary)
Latest Blog Post
In 2016, before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published its opioid prescribing guidelines, I expressed skepticism in an interview with Pain Medicine News about the guideline’s potential unintended consequences. At the time, I cautioned that the guideline, while intended to address opioid misuse, could inadvertently harm patients who rely on opioids for effective pain management.…
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