The biopsychosocial model

The biopsychosocial model of pain is presented as a way to understand pain through biological, psychological, and social factors, with each patient showing a different balance between these domains. The key idea is that all three are always present, but one may be the main driver and should guide assessment and treatment. A central point is that pain should be understood through how the person experiences and lives with the problem, rather than focusing only on structures or biomechanics. The model does not dismiss physical factors, but it moves beyond a purely biomedical approach by emphasizing the person as a whole. Practical examples show how treatment areas overlap: hands-on care may reduce distress, exercise can improve mood, movement can decrease fear, and advice can reduce uncertainty. The summary also addresses common therapist barriers, including low confidence with psychosocial issues, time pressure, professional habits, and assumptions that patients will not understand pain education. Questionnaires are described as useful tools for opening discussion and identifying concerns, though not reliable on their own. An important clinical question is which factor is the main driver of the patient’s pain experience.