What Influences Pain?
The Biopsychosocial Model
The Biopsychosocial (BPS) model suggests that pain is composed of biological, psychological, social and contextual factors. Therefore, when treating pain, an intervention for each factor should be involved. Pain naturally changes over time, and the BPS model compensates for the fluidity of pain by incorporating these factors.
There is often a large emphasis on physical ‘dysfunctions’ which are correlated to a patients pain. Research suggests that there are poor associations in differences between patients with and without structural changes within their lumbar spine. Essentially, if you have a bulging disc it might be painful, but then again it might not be too. Suspicion of herniated discs sometimes lead to inappropriate referral for MRI scans, which can lead to increased anxiety and depression which can exacerbate pain (that’s the psychological bit!).
Speaking of the psychological bit, fear avoidance is where an individual develops behaviours to avoid certain movements in an attempt to prevent new injury, or further injury. It is questioned that a ‘protective pain memory’ can be gained by the brain which associates certain movements with a threat! This may be a reason as to why some individuals develop protective behaviours when trying to deal with chronic pain!
The social aspect of the BPS model suggests that we need effective communication! The communication must be structured and positive which can reduce your overall experience of pain (believe it or not). Evidence has shown that when proper communication is made, there was a reduction in pain perception. It is important to speak to someone who understands pain and the management of it too!
Pain is multifactorial and fluid, it is influenced by everything around us. In the absence of severe injury, pain does not equate to structural damage (say it again). To help yourself overcome this, try gradually progressing through painful movements and over time, you may start to see a reduction in your symptoms.
Keep Moving!
BOTCC out!
References:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jabr.12125?casa_token=naY-EHZWz00AAAAA%3ANuew_CUjvcRFcZY7r6mNqEgJEzcE_TlcsF70wGV0rpqqf_vyuHM-NKXg97Ks5UHdBxZUwkg75R3HZ0g
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200677#sec022
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01345-1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763418300927?casa_token=V3e0IF0zGscAAAAA:uiR8_XK_4PsZw73C0OIRGauYd6RiJ0oWzQwR_qCr2fsggieb52LISbbS8HbvNQM8wSloXS7J9hGH
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44664-8