UHS celebrates Dr. Matthew Bennett’s new book on chronic pain and resilience

UHS proudly congratulates Matthew Bennett, MD, of UHS Spine Care & Pain Relief Johnson City, on the recent publication of his book, Mastering Chronic Pain: How Peak Resilience Unlocks Your Potential. Co-authored by Dr. Sahar Swidan, the book introduces a new approach to healing for individuals living with chronic pain.

The back cover of the book reads, “In this clear and compassionate guide, orthopedic spine surgeon, Matthew Bennett, MD and pain specialist, Sahar Swidan, PharmD, introduce an approach grounded in neuroscience and functional medicine. Instead of masking pain, they show you how to work with your body’s biological systems to promote real healing.”

The book’s release coincides with Pain Awareness Month, observed annually in September to help foster public awareness of chronic pain. Mastering Chronic Pain is written for the more than 50 million people in the U.S. – and millions more worldwide – affected by chronic pain, offering a clear, science-backed guide for understanding pain and promoting healing and recovery.

“This book is an invitation: to think differently about pain, to reclaim your agency, and to explore a path forward that is not just about reducing suffering, but about rediscovering resilience,” Dr. Bennett and Dr. Swidan write. “We know the road isn’t easy. But we also know that healing is possible—not just relief, but true, sustainable healing.”

Dr. Bennett completed his medical education and residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University, his fellowship at the Texas Black Institute, and is dual board certified in orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine. He has brought his unique expertise to his nine years providing excellence in spine care and orthopedic surgery at UHS. In addition to his work as a practitioner, he has authored multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed research articles in the fields of pain, orthopedics, and spine care.

For those living with chronic pain, the UHS Spine Care & Pain Relief program provides an interdisciplinary approach to ease suffering and improve quality of life. Earlier this year, UHS became the first organization in Upstate New York to earn the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Core Certification in Spine Surgery, placing the program among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for excellence in spine care.