Good Health starts Here

In the past, the medical world followed the biomedical model to help treat patients and the ailments they complained about. The theory meant that healthcare professionals (HCP) only looked for physical reasons for disease/symptoms. And if you got rid of that physical cause, you would be better. It also meant patients didn’t have any control over their own health and were made to be completely dependent on the HCP for solutions.

 

Although this approach is still very much in circulation, amongst healthcare professionals and patients (expectations for recovery are also grounded in this), it is outdated and ineffective.

 

The problem is, we are not merely physical beings. We are also very much emotional, spiritual and social beings.

 

Science is quickly catching up and clearly demonstrating that the physical impacts on the emotional and vice versa. We used to laugh at the stories of mind-body connection and yet now we are seeing on MRI’s how the brains of people, experiencing chronic pain or mental conditions like depression, change structure. Conditions like anxiety are considered mental, yet they have a physical impact on the body, driving adrenalin up and resulting in physical reactions. We are also learning that pain is created on the brain and not in the body.

 

Humans do not exist in isolation. We exist within a society, family, friendship circle and work structure. These impact our health choices and mental wellbeing. A simple point to prove this is the division the vaccinations have caused and the generalised fatigue a worldwide pandemic has resulted in.

 

Health and healthcare is influenced by the opinions and behaviour of those around us. Some cultures have healthier habits which results in healthier individuals. Some places have better access to clean water than others, this impacts health. How we are treated and/or feel connected to our nearest and dearest also has a major influence on our wellbeing.

 

 

The majority of people are so heavily influenced by the belief that there has to be a physical main cause (biomedical model), that we do not look further or even consider other contributors to our pain or illness. Healthier food choices and exercise have been proven to be more effective forms of treatment than some medications for many chronic conditions. However, the sale of chronic medicines is still rising every year.

 

So, I would like to introduce you to a new (it has actually been around for a long time already) and better way to approach your health and wellbeing. It is called the Biopsychosocial Model and addresses all aspects of a person rather than the silo approach of the past.

 

The book “Radical Remission” makes it very clear that taking charge of your own health is the foundation for healing. This book may be directed at people trying to overcome cancer, but I could not agree more with this conclusion which is based on science. No healthcare professional knows or could ever unearth all the factors that play a role in your pain or disease experience. You know you best and so taking an active role in your journey to wellbeing is the answer. It requires some hard work and dedication and probably some lifestyle changes. However, there are many biopsychosocial factors that you can learn to control and don’t have to wait for a surgeon or physiotherapist or GP to fix. And will make a big difference to your recovery.

 

Let us look at a scenario as an example of how we can use the other factors in the biopsychosocial model to change the trajectory of a medical condition or pain experience.

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Scenario:

A patient has a simple, uncomplicated ankle injury. One that biologically, will heal in 6 weeks. The main factors contributing to the pain are nociception (threat detection) and inflammation.

 

The patient believes it is a fracture and is worried about not being able to run. She looks up information on the internet and she sees something about ankle fractures and an increased chance of developing arthritis.

 

She is already under a lot of pressure at work, she doesn’t know how she will cope. She also has been feeling down about a negative friendship. She likes to watch TV late into the night to help her relax but feels exhausted every morning.

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The Biopsychosocial Model

The basic premise is to identify which factors impact on your health, disease and/or recovery and address each of those factors in turn. In some cases the biggest influence will come from the biological contributors, in others the psychological aspects play the largest role and in others the social does.

Take a look at the following illustration for some clarity.

 

In the scenario above the following factors could be addressed:

Access to care: Finding a healthcare professional whose judgement you trust instead of the internet.

Knowledge: Taking an active role in the recovery process, ask questions, understand the process.

System dysfunction: Strengthening the ankle to handle the challenges of her chosen sport.

Feeling: Finding healthy coping mechanisms at work like journaling and understanding what makes it an unhappy space. Can it be changed?

Lifestyle habits: Working on a better nighttime routine and getting more sleep.

Inflammation: Providing her body with good nutrition so that it has all the building blocks to heal her ankle.

Family: Visit or call a family member to get some positive affirmation and unconditional love.

Actions: Visiting her favourite park to get some fresh air at the end of the work day.

 

This is very simplified but I hope it illustrates the difference that a few factors can make to our disease or pain experience by flipping them for good.

 

So, armed with a slightly different perspective, what aspect of the biopsychosocial model impacts your health the most? Can we help you determine ways to adjust your habits and beliefs for better recovery and wellness? Come talk to us, we’re here to journey with you.