History, Examination and the Vector Model in Nonspecific Pain

History taking is the starting point for both diagnosis and the therapeutic alliance. Håkon recommends open questions, talking less and listening more, and peak listening, where the goal is to accept the patient's account as true. The examination excludes red flags, gathers information and can help the patient feel safe, so word choice matters. To make the biopsychosocial model usable, the part presents Matthew Low's vector model, built on dispositional theory: factors have tendencies toward an effect rather than causing it, and symptoms appear when their combined power crosses a threshold. A case of a 27-year-old woman with nonspecific neck pain shows how fear of movement, catastrophizing, anxiety, family and work situation and poor sleep can be weighed together with the patient. Interventions should be goal-oriented, simple and chosen with the patient, aiming for a snowball effect. In the case, addressing fear of movement and sleep led to better sleep, more activity and symptoms below the threshold within five to six weeks.