Accessible text version of MWN pain graphic
Figure 1: Many factors contribute to an individual's experience of pain.
A diagram showing the range of biomedical and psychosocial factors that contribute to a person's experience of chronic pain.
- Biomedical factors include pathology and pathophysiology, for example inflammation and other comorbidities.
- The person's medical history, including injury, trauma and other medical conditions, contributes to the chronic pain experience.
- Psychological traits, including anxiety, depression, fear and catastrophising, impact on a person's experience of chronic pain.
- Social context factors, such as loss of work, loss of income, family roles and relationships, and cultural or religious issues, can have an impact on chronic pain.
- Finally, cognitive factors, such as interpretation of pain and coping style, contribute to the overall experience of chronic pain.