The biopsychosocial model of pain in physiotherapy: past, present and future

Abstract Background The biopsychosocial model of pain may aid the understanding pain and its clinical presentations. Objectives This paper presents a discussion of the past, present and future state of the biopsychosocial model of pain within physiotherapy. Main Findings The biopsychosocial model of pain acknowledges the dynamic interdependent biological, psychological and social dimensions of peoples pain experiences and has been widely endorsed. However, the biopsychosocial model is not beyond criticism and its applicability to clinical practice has been questioned. Researchers have investigated how clinicians understand and apply the biopsychosocial model in clinical practice. Evidence suggests that physiotherapists demonstrate varying levels of confidence and proficiency in their psychosocially-oriented clinical knowledge and practice. Psychologically informed physiotherapy treatment approaches have been described and trialled and show inconsistent results and effect sizes with respect to patient-related outcomes. In addition, commentators suggest that the ‘-social’ dimension of the model has been relatively neglected. While there is some evidence that the biopsychosocial model is evolving, and efforts are underway to develop and validate clinically-applicable tools, physiotherapy clinicians, educators and researchers have been invited to consider existing barriers and enablers to the implementation of the biopsychosocial model in clinical practice in order to improve its understanding and application within healthcare. Conclusion The biopsychosocial model invites clinicians to understand and address the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of patients pain. Understanding and implementation of the biopsychosocial model of pain in physiotherapy is mixed. Improving education and training and developing and evaluating innovative biopsychosocial-oriented interventions appear to be important ways forward. The biopsychosocial model of pain is evolving in response to scientific and clinical developments.