Here are five key takeaways from the report for both employers and employees:

Pain is a mental health issue. About one-third (38%) of people in pain report feeling depressed; nearly half (44%) report anxiety. Furthermore, they say their pain increases and amplifies symptoms of these mental health conditions.
Pain rarely exists in isolation. More than half (53%) of respondents say that pain affects their sleep, while 22% report having obesity and 17% report having type 2 diabetes.
Pain negatively impacts everyday life — and work. More than one-quarter (27%) of respondents agree that MSK pain has decreased their productivity at work, and 22% agree it has made them consider leaving their jobs.
People in pain want to avoid costly, risky interventions. More than three-quarters (77%) of people in pain are looking for non-surgical options to treat their MSK pain. What's more, an estimated 40% of surgeries for MSK fail to result in improved conditions or lack clinical necessity altogether.
Barriers to traditional physical therapy include cost, motivation, and access. Half of people in pain indicate traditional PT is too expensive to pursue. Of those who stopped PT, 54% indicated that insurance is not covering enough sessions.

Instant Insights /

Half of Americans suffer from musculoskeletal pain, report finds