America's pain crisis: Why pain is personal and how traditional musculoskeletal (MSK) care falls short

Much attention is rightly given to the mental health and opioid drug crises plaguing Americans. Far less of a spotlight is put on the devastating and growing crisis of chronic pain—a problem that is inextricably linked to both of these issues, ultimately lowering Americans’ quality of life and resulting in skyrocketing healthcare costs.

Chronic pain is a personal and complex cycle. Research shows that treatments targeting both physical pain and mental health simultaneously are necessary to address either problem effectively.

The impact of chronic pain:

• 50% of all adults in the US have an MSK condition¹ 
• Costs accrued for MSK treatment and lost wages ranges between $560 to $635 billion²
• People living with MSK pain missed an average of 10.3 days of work in 2021³

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Sources

1. Boersma P, Cohen R. Physical, Speech, Rehabilitative, or Occupational Therapy Use Among Adults Aged 25–64, by Veteran Status: United States, 2019–2020. NCHS Data Brief No. 439, August 2022.
2. Gaskin DJ, Richard P. The economic costs of pain in the United States. The Journal of Pain. 2012;13(8):715-724. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2012.03.009
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey, 2020.