The window in which you can hit a mob from behind, if they're targeting you, is so tiny that it isn't worth trying to run through the mob repeatedly to make it happen.

You just have accept that Monks are supremely gutted in a solo scenario.

Monk is the only class I've leveled where I actually died for reasons other than accidentally pulling too many mobs. Paladin, Ninja, Scholar, Bard, Dragoon--no issues. The difference in DPS between a Monk that can benefit from its positional bonuses and who can't is so substantial that it makes me want to cry. I just solo everything as a Paladin in Sword Oath, since the DPS is still high but I can't be taken below 80% health.