Chronic pain affects millions globally, with individuals constantly seeking effective treatments to manage their daily discomfort. Our 2024 Chronic Pain Report presents key insights into treatment preferences, spending patterns, and openness to alternative therapies based on a comprehensive survey of 322 respondents who experience chronic pain. The study aimed to understand which treatments are most widely used, how much people currently spend on managing pain, and how much they would be willing to invest in treatments with high efficacy.

Key Findings at a Glance

In examining both spending patterns and openness to new treatments, the survey identified several significant trends:

Willingness to Spend

Respondents saw great value in pain relief, reporting that they would spend 7x-15x more than their current annual spend if a treatment could alleviate 90% of their pain.

Multiple Treatment Trials

The median number of alternative treatments chronic pain sufferers have tried is four, implying a willingness to try multiple treatments that may alleviate pain.

Open-Mindedness to Alternative Therapies 

Among respondents who have not tried them, 77% expressed a willingness to consider pain patches as a form of relief. Acupuncture followed closely, with 65% being open to giving it a chance if they had not already. This openness to alternative therapies is a promising gateway for expanding pain management options.

Pain Frequency and Severity

The findings from the survey underscored the pervasive nature of chronic pain:

• Daily Pain Incidence: Notably, 87.3% of respondents reported experiencing chronic pain daily, underscoring the need for ongoing and accessible pain management solutions.
• Severity of Pain: 86.4% of respondents rated their pain as moderate to severe, emphasizing the significant impact chronic pain has on daily life and the levels of relief they are seeking. 
• Medication Usage: Among respondents, 68.6% regularly use over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and 40.8% take prescription medications. People with chronic pain are 68% more likely to take prescription medication than OTC, indicating a reliance on stronger pain management methods for their chronic conditions. The higher use of prescription medication in conjunction with a notable curiosity for alternative treatment points to a treatment gap for chronic pain sufferers. 

How Much Are People Willing to Pay for Pain Relief?

The survey revealed substantial spending variations in chronic pain management:

Current Spending

The median amount spent on pain management was $550 per year, while the mean amounted to $2,473. This range reflects varying access to or reliance on both mainstream and alternative treatments.

Willingness to Spend 

Respondents indicated a median willingness to spend $3,650, 7x their current median annual spend, if a treatment could effectively manage their pain. The mean willingness reached a staggering $37,595 annually, 15x the current mean. These figures suggest that chronic pain sufferers place high value on effective pain relief and would invest significantly for dependable results.

The Most Used Alternative Treatments

Chronic pain sufferers frequently turn to non-pharmaceutical therapies. The most common treatments include:

• Exercise (73%): A pillar of pain management for many, exercise helps alleviate pain through improved mobility and muscle strength.
• Physical Therapy (67.4%): Often prescribed for its long-term benefits, physical therapy expands upon general exercise through targeted movement for specific pain points.
• Massage (58.4%): Offering relief for muscle tension, massage is a widely accepted therapy for those managing chronic pain.
• Pain Patches (43.4%): These patches provide direct, localized relief and are seen as convenient.
• CBD (40.8%): As CBD products become more mainstream and accessible, they offer an appealing alternative for those seeking natural pain relief.
• Meditation (37%) and Acupuncture (36.1%): These options reflect the trend of incorporating mind-body approaches into pain management.

The Top Treatments People Are Considering

The survey revealed which treatments respondents are most interested in exploring:

1. Pain Patch: 77.3% are interested in trying this approach next, as it is non-invasive, offers direct pain relief and has minimal side effects.
2. Acupuncture: 64.7% are curious about its potential, especially those who seek alternative, non-pharmaceutical treatments. 
3. Massage: 50.4% are willing to try massage as a means of pain relief. 
4. Physical Therapy: 42.2% see this as a viable option, often recommended for its therapeutic benefits.
5. Meditation (39.2%) and Exercise (38.8%): These options also draw interest as they allow for personal management, strengthen the mind and body, which may be critical for successful pain management.
6. CBD/Marijuana (31.9%): As more states legalize cannabis, and stigma diminishes, people are showing greater interest in its pain-relieving properties.

The Top 3 Alternatives People Return To

Many respondents are also open to revisiting treatments they have previously tried, with the top options being:

1. Pain Patch: 80% of those who have tried it are willing to use it again.
2. Acupuncture: 73% are open to a repeat trial, suggesting a positive reception or curiosity about longer-term effects.
3. Massage: 70% would consider this therapeutic option again, reinforcing its effectiveness for muscle-related pain.

Consistently, the top two alternative management treatments seem to be a pain patch and acupuncture. This could signify increased visibility and popularity of the treatments, as well as a natural treatment overlap.

Data in Detail

The survey shed light on some noteworthy behavioral trends:

• Number of Treatments Tried: The median number of alternative treatments attempted by chronic pain sufferers is four, indicating a willingness to experiment.
• New Treatments to Try: Half of the respondents are open to trying at least two new treatments they haven’t tried yet, again emphasizing an openness to effective alternatives.
• Willingness to Retry: Respondents are 39% more likely to retry a previously used treatment than to try a new one, perhaps reflecting a desire to find consistency in pain relief.

What’s Next for Pain Research

The 2024 Chronic Pain Report highlights a strong interest among chronic pain sufferers in finding effective, alternative treatments and an increasing willingness to invest significantly in solutions that promise substantial relief. These findings suggest a growing openness to treatments like acupuncture and pain patches, as a compliment to traditional treatments like pharmaceuticals.

Future research could further investigate which demographics are interested in which treatments, and how they respond to said treatments. It would also be useful to explore the feasibility of these alternatives for long-term pain management solutions. Additionally, understanding how various combinations of treatments could complement each other to maximize pain relief remains an area ripe for exploration.

Appendix A : Survey Methodology

The 2024 Chronic Pain Report was conducted among Taopatch newsletter subscribers, amounting to a sample of 322 respondents who were filtered to ensure only those with chronic pain conditions participated. The survey included eight targeted questions and four demographic inquiries to capture a detailed picture of respondents’ pain management experiences and preferences. The goal was to capture the most popular pain relief treatments and gauge the financial limits individuals are willing to meet to reduce pain.

Appendix B: Limitations of the Study

While this study provides valuable insights, it has certain limitations. The survey’s demographic consisted primarily of those already subscribed to Taopatch’s newsletter, which may cause a selection bias and affect reported statistics, given that subscribers are more likely to be interested in alternative pain treatments. Additionally, eight survey questions may not be sufficient to capture the nuance of treatment approaches nor the opinions of respondents. Lastly, as with most surveys, respondents’ personal preferences and previous experiences could influence their answers, especially without a standardized scale to operationalize the severity of chronic pain.