The biopsychosocial model of pain

The biopsychosocial model of pain Norm Buckley, Scientific Director at the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Pain Research & Care, emphasizes that effective pain management goes beyond opioids and advocates for a holistic, team-based approach. In parts of Canada and elsewhere, an unanticipated effect of the growing movement toward ‘team-based primary care’ may be that we bring together professionals who can effectively treat pain. Like other ‘mind body’ conditions, such as mental health disorders and addiction, treatment of chronic pain (and its prevention) requires attention to the whole person. This apparent truism is an important concept and is very poorly addressed by the siloing of social support systems, health promotion, and healthcare treatment programs. For over 60 years, there has been good information to support an interdisciplinary approach to chronic pain. (1)