Chronic Pain and the Biopsychosocial Model

Understanding chronic pain through the biopsychosocial model

When you live with chronic pain, it can feel like you body is always working against you. Maybe you've heard "it's all in your head". Maybe you've been through every test and treatment and continue to feel frustrated because nothing seems to be able to explain or help with what you are going through. Here's the truth: chronic pain is complex, and that's why the biopsychosocial model can be so helpful.

What is the biopsychosocial model exactly?

The biopsychosocial model considers three different aspects that influence pain:

• Bio (body): This includes your joints, muscles, nerves, and any injuries that may be affecting them. Muscle tension, the nervous system, and even inflammation can influence pain signals.

• Psycho (mind): Pain can also affect how you think and feel - and how you think and feel can also affect your experience of pain. Things like anxiety, depression, and past trauma can amplify pain signals, and living in pain can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression. It's complicated, but our brain plays a significant role in our experience of pain.

• Social (relationships): Environment makes a difference for chronic pain too. Relationships, family dynamics, work stress, and other influences can significantly impact your experience of pain.

The biopsychosocial model - chronic pain

Why the biopsychosocial approach matters

Understanding your pain through the biopsychosocial lens means that your pain is complex and multifaceted - it's not just physical and it's not just mental - it's more complicated than that. Holding this perspective considers all aspects of pain and allows for more opportunities for effective treatment - it considers your whole experience of pain.

How therapy can help

Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be powerful and effective in the management of chronic pain.

• CBT helps you identify unhelpful messages and thought patterns, and teaches helpful coping strategies so that chronic pain is no longer in control of your life

• ACT helps you focus on accepting difficult sensations, while also moving you towards living your most meaningful life, despite pain being present.

Therapy also explores stress management, relaxation strategies, learning to pace yourself through your activities, and strengthening your support network. By addressing the mind, and not just the body, it is more likely that you will find relief and feel as though you are regaining control of your life.

Finding hope

The biopsychosocial model reminds us that chronic pain is complex. But chronic pain does not mean you are weak, nor does it mean you have to "just push through." With the right support, you can learn new and different ways of living, even if pain is a part of your journey.

If you are ready to explore how therapy through the lens of the biopsychosocial model can work for you, please feel free to reach out for a free 15 minute consultation or to book an initial appointment.