PAIN NEUROSCIENCE EDUCATION AND CONTEMPORARY PATIENT EDUCATION STRATEGIES IN MUSCULOSKELETAL REHABILITATION

Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal disorders are a major global health concern, often compounded by patients’ inaccurate beliefs about tissue damage and pain. Traditional biomedical patient education may inadequately explain the altered nervous system functioning associated with persistent pain. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) offers a contemporary approach that explains pain in terms of nervous system sensitivity and biopsychosocial processes rather than focusing exclusively on tissue injury. Evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioural and neuroscience-based education can reduce pain-related fear, catastrophizing, and maladaptive beliefs while promoting greater physical activity and self-efficacy. Integrating PNE into biopsychosocial rehabilitation may therefore improve patients’ understanding of pain, functional capacity, and engagement in recovery. However, effective implementation should consider cultural differences, individual patient needs, and interdisciplinary collaboration to maximize its clinical effectiveness.