Biopsychosocial care: The path to lasting relief from chronic pain

We at the NY Center for Integrative Health in Manhattan approach each patient and each concern or condition through a broad, big picture lens. Our naturopathic physician, Dr. Robert Kachko, is trained and properly equipped to account for all the factors that can affect our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. So, naturally, our approach to understanding and improving each patient’s unique experience with chronic pain is multi-faceted. Solutions for individuals from throughout the New York City metro borrow from the best of both modern science and traditional medicine.

Biopsychosocial care

We are fond of referring to our approach to caring for individuals with chronic, debilitating pain as “biopsychosocial.” Let’s break it down:

• “Bio” refers to “biological” factors that contribute to chronic pain and other diseases. These factors might include physical health, disability, and genetic risks.
• “Psycho” is a nod to “psychological” factors, which range from self-esteem to coping skills.
• “Social” factors include peer relationships and family circumstances.

If you were to look at these three types of factors graphically, you would see how these different spheres coalesce and overlap. All factors can contribute to the whole: the experience, frequency, nature, and severity of pain. An understanding of your unique factors in each of these areas helps to further inform treatment that effectively targets the source of the pain, to provide real, lasting relief from it. We are supported in our evaluation and assessments by extensive lab testing; for instance, as it relates to the physical contributors to pain, we may take a deep dive into bloodwork and functional tests. These onsite capabilities allow us to pinpoint potential factors and trouble areas – from inflammation and hormone imbalances to nutritional deficiencies and digestive challenges.

Solutions that tackle pain by targeting and addressing biopsychosocial factors include:

• Acupuncture
• Botanical medicine
• Nutraceuticals
• Pharmaceuticals (only when necessary)
• Mind-body medicine (biofeedback, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, breathwork)

“Conventional” approaches to relieving pain often only provide a temporary fix. They can even mask the real symptoms. We can reduce your reliance on pain medications and truly free you from life-altering pain by getting to the many sources which can work in tandem to perpetuate a debilitating cycle.

Our multi-faceted approach to pain management really works. If you are interested in finding out more information about biopsychosocial care, request an appointment at NYCIH today! Call (917) 477-3538 , or reach out to us from this website.