Why Most Back Pain Treatments only Fix 1/3 of the Problem
“Why Most Back Pain Treatments Only Fix 1/3 of the Problem” - Marion McRae
Many people who struggle with chronic back pain have tried multiple therapies — exercises, scans, medications, and still feel stuck. That’s because most treatments focus almost exclusively on the biological body, ignoring the psycho (your thoughts, emotions, and nervous system) and social (stress, lifestyle, environment) factors that heavily influence pain. In fact, addressing only the biological side usually achieves just one-third of potential healing.
In this blog, we’ll explore the missing 2/3 and why they could be the key to lasting relief.
The Biopsychosocial Model of Back Pain
The biopsychosocial model is a framework that looks at pain as the result of three interconnected layers:
Biological (Bio) – muscles, joints, discs, nerves, posture, and movement.
Psychological (Psycho) – emotions, mindset, stress, fear, and nervous system regulation.
Social (Social) – work environment, relationships, lifestyle, and support networks.
Most traditional therapies only target the bio layer — exercises, surgeries, medications, and posture corrections. While these are important, they often fail to address the psycho and social layers, which are critical for lasting relief.
Why Addressing Only the Body Leaves You Stuck
Focusing solely on the biological side can provide temporary relief, but pain often returns because:
Emotional stress keeps the nervous system in a hyper-alert state, amplifying pain signals.
Beliefs, fear, and avoidance behaviors reinforce movement patterns that maintain pain.
Social and lifestyle factors — like work strain, poor sleep, and lack of support — continue to trigger flare-ups.
When these layers aren’t addressed, you’re only treating 1/3 of the problem, leaving the other 2/3 untouched.
The Missing 2/3: Psycho & Social Factors
1. Psychological Layer
The psycho layer includes your emotions, mindset, and stress responses. Chronic back pain can be worsened by:
Anxiety or fear around movement
Low mood or depression
Past trauma or unresolved emotional patterns
Addressing this layer involves emotional fitness, nervous system regulation, and cognitive strategies to shift from survival mode to healing mode.
2. Social Layer
The social layer encompasses your environment, relationships, and lifestyle factors. Pain is influenced by:
Work stress or ergonomic challenges
Lack of supportive relationships
Poor sleep, nutrition, or activity patterns
Optimising these areas supports the nervous system, reduces triggers, and amplifies recovery.
Why a Holistic Approach Works
By integrating biological, psychological, social strategies and movement habits, you tackle all the layers of pain. This is why people working with holistic practitioners often achieve results faster, with longer-lasting relief.
With the right guidance:
You learn to move safely and confidently.
You regulate your nervous system to reduce fear-based pain cycles.
You adjust lifestyle and social factors to support healing.
This whole-person approach is the core of the Bulletproof Backs™ Method, designed to unlock the missing 2/3 of stubborn back pain recovery.
Takeaway
If you’ve tried multiple therapies and still feel stuck, don’t lose hope. It doesn’t mean your pain is untreatable — it just means that critical layers of your pain puzzle haven’t been addressed.
By understanding and addressing the psycho and social factors, alongside the biological body, you give yourself the best chance for lasting, meaningful relief.
Call to Action
Ready to explore all layers of your back pain and finally move past frustration?
👉 Learn more about the Bulletproof Backs Method and start your journey to holistic, long-term relief today.
