Biomedical Model Of Pain

In the biomedical model, pain results from harmful mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli. It searches for a single cause of pain, often measuring it by nociceptive responses, rarely taking into account the emotional aspects of discomfort or injury. It is best suited for acute, localized injuries such as a broken bone or acute trauma.

Beliefs of The Biomedical Model

Pain has a single cause.
Pain is an indication of damage.
Chronic pain means the body is still damaged and cannot be cured.

When a single cause of pain cannot be identified, it is often labeled as idiopathic and is diagnosed as chronic pain syndrome, or medically unexplained symptoms (MUS). This relegates the pain to a low priority and clinical importance, often resulting in untreated, persistent pain.

The biomedical model uses imaging and tests to detect measurable physiological factors to ascertain the origin. Then, with a medicine-first approach, it treats the pain using pharmaceutical or surgical interventions.

Personal Experience

The biomedical model has its place, but it is not the end-all be-all of pain management. There is more to treatment than destroying the disease.

As a cancer survivor, I know what it is like to endure the care of the biomedical model. When I went through chemotherapy, the only thing my oncologist was concerned with was whether I continued my treatment.

While under my doctor’s care, he provided the absolute minimum consideration for my quality of life. The sum of which entailed medicine for the nausea. Every other symptom was largely ignored. As a result, I lived in extreme chronic pain in the years to follow.

Quality of Life

We want a provider who is focused on helping us achieve optimal health and cares about our quality of life. Someone who can see beyond our disease and treat us with compassion.

The modern medical system predominantly uses the biomedical model, but some physicians don’t. There are those, like Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams, who ascribe to the biopsychosocial approach to health. If you love Robin Williams’ movies, check out Patch Adams from 1998.

Pain Management Massage uses the biopsychosocial model of pain. This is the belief that pain may result from biological, psychological, and sociocultural influences.

Schedule A Massage That Uses the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain Today

Biomedical Model

Many massage therapists practice within a belief system similar to the biomedical model. This is because they believe muscle knots are the source of your pain and reduced range of motion.

They hunt for lumps and bumps, then firmly press on them, because they think it encourages the tissues to heal.

Just because an area of the body appears different doesn’t mean it is, or that it is a tissue abnormality. Even if the area is injured, using pain to prevent pain only encourages the brain to create more pain to protect itself.