More than 1,200 people across the U.S. recently took time to share what it’s like to live with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain—the kind that affects muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Their responses, captured through The Pain Perspective: 2025 MSK Industry Survey, offer a powerful reminder: pain is not just something people feel. It’s something they live with.
And for many, it’s shaping far more than their physical health.
Pain That Doesn’t End When the Injury Does
For most respondents, pain isn’t temporary.
More than 85% reported living with MSK pain for over a year, with an average pain level of 5.3 out of 10. But the impact goes far beyond a number on a scale.
- Over 80% said pain limits everyday activities.
- 58% said it regularly disrupts their sleep.
Pain changes how people move, work, rest, and show up in their own lives. It becomes a companion, not a moment.
Where Pain Meets Mental Health
One of the clearest themes from the survey is that pain is never just physical.
Nearly two-thirds of patients reported mental health challenges related to their pain, including anxiety, depression, or persistent low mood. And when asked about care priorities, 87% said it is important or very important that providers address mental and physical health together.
Patients aren’t asking for two separate treatment plans. They’re asking to be seen as whole people.
The Cost of Care and the Cost of Delay
Even when patients want care, many struggle to reach it.
Almost half of respondents said they’ve delayed or avoided care due to cost. Other major barriers included:
- Financial burden
- Scheduling availability
- Insurance limitations
While some patients feel supported by local MSK options, too many still experience pain as something they must manage largely on their own.
Patients Want Movement, Not Just Relief
When it comes to long-term pain management, patients are remarkably clear. They want care that helps them move.
- 74% said non-pharmacologic treatment is important or very important.
- Physical therapy ranked as the top choice for long-term pain relief.
- Nearly 90% would recommend PT to a friend or family member.
Patients are not asking for stronger medications. They’re asking for stronger bodies, stronger confidence, and stronger futures.
Redefining What “Success” Looks Like
Perhaps one of the most revealing insights is how patients define success.
Only a small percentage expect complete elimination of pain. Most measure success by:
- Meaningful pain reduction
- Improved ability to function
- Greater independence in daily life
Patients are not unrealistic. They are resilient and focused on living better, not just hurting less.
What Patients Want Next
When asked what would improve their MSK care experience, four priorities stood out:
- More personalized treatment
- Lower cost
- Faster access
- Better communication
These are not luxury requests. They are the foundations of trust.
Why This Matters
Together, these insights tell a story that healthcare can no longer ignore:
- Patients are ready for conservative, movement-based, whole-person care.
- They are ready to commit to recovery.
- They are ready for better pathways.
Now, the system must be ready for them. These early findings are just the beginning. The full Pain Perspective report will explore:
- Clinician and physician perspectives
- The role of technology and hybrid care
- Barriers to conservative care adoption
- Opportunities to redesign MSK pathways
- And what alignment across healthcare truly makes possible
At Confluent Health, we believe movement is medicine and that every patient deserves care that restores not just function, but confidence and hope. The future of pain care is not a breakthrough drug. It is a better pathway. And it’s one we are committed to building, together.
Stay tuned for the full report in early 2026.
