The mind can only focus on one thing at a time. If you make your pain the focus, you're toast. That's why it's better to re-focus on other things...like WoW... Famous book: "Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient" by Norman Cousins. Had an incurable disease. Locked himself away in a hotel room for months and did nothing but eat well, watch old Marx Brothers, etc. movies and laughed. Cured. The mind is an amazing thing...everyone finds their own path.
I fully agree with you . Having worked in the medical field ( rehab for elderly ) I learned early on how to get my patients to advance further in their therapy . If range of motion was called for due to contractions I have them visualize a place they wanted to be then as I was ranging them I'd have them tell me about it. It was amazing to watch how much range I could get from them and very little pain all the while learning about their favorite place. So knowing that I escape to a fantasy world and play . Interesting book you mention. I might have to look into that being a avid reader as well.