More than 1,200 people across the U.S. recently shared their experiences living with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain—pain affecting muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, or cartilage. Early results from The Pain Perspective: 2025 MSK Industry Survey reveal what patients are really feeling, facing, and hoping for when it comes to care.
And the message is clear: chronic pain is lasting longer, affecting mental health, and creating barriers that go far beyond the physical.
Pain That Lasts and Lingers
An overwhelming 85% of respondents said they’ve been living with MSK pain for more than a year, with an average pain level of 5.3 out of 10. For many, that pain doesn’t just hurt. It shapes daily life.
More than 80% said pain limits their ability to perform everyday activities, and 58% said it interferes with their sleep “often” or “always.”
Pain isn’t just a temporary condition. For many, it’s become a defining part of how they live, move, and function.
The Mental Health Connection
Chronic pain doesn’t exist in isolation. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of patients reported mental health challenges related to pain, including anxiety, depression, or feeling down.
When asked how important it is for their provider to address both physical and mental health, 87% said it was important or very important—a strong call for more integrated, whole-person care.
The Cost of Care and the Cost of Delay
Access remains one of the greatest barriers to relief. Almost half (47%) of respondents said they’ve avoided seeking care because of cost.
Top challenges included:
- Financial costs (537 respondents).
- Scheduling availability (533).
- Insurance coverage (464).
While 60% said they feel they have enough local MSK care options, that leaves a significant portion of patients who feel left behind.
Patients Want Movement, Not Medication
When it comes to long-term pain relief, one approach stands out: movement-based care.
- 74% said non-pharmacologic treatment is important or very important.
- Physical therapy was the top choice for long-term pain management, ahead of medications and surgery.
- 9 in 10 would recommend physical therapy to a friend or family member.
Patients are telling us they want care that helps them move, recover, and get back to the things they love. And not just mask pain with medication.
Rethinking Success in Pain Care
For most patients, success isn’t about the complete elimination of pain but about progress.
- 51% define success as significant pain reduction.
- 32% say it’s improved ability to perform daily tasks.
- Only 13% expect complete elimination of pain.
This signals a major shift: patients are realistic, resilient, and focused on living better, not just hurting less.
The Future: Personalized, Accessible, and Whole-Person Care
When asked what would improve their experience with MSK care, patients pointed to four clear areas:
- More personalized treatment plans (35%).
- Lower costs (28%).
- Faster access to care (20%).
- Better communication with providers (16%).
These insights align closely with Confluent Health’s mission: to make high-quality, patient-centered, non-pharmacologic care more accessible wherever patients are.
Looking Ahead
These early insights are just the beginning. Our full Pain Perspective report will dive deeper into the realities of pain care in America, exploring clinician perspectives, technology’s role in recovery, and how innovative models like hybrid care and PT-first pathways are redefining outcomes.
At Confluent Health, we believe movement is medicine and that every patient deserves care that restores function, confidence, and hope.
Stay tuned for the full report in early 2026. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and pain-smart future.
