America is "a nation of pain," according to Dr. Jeff Krauss, chief medical officer at Hinge Health, a digital clinic for joint and muscle pain. He's referring to the company's recently released "State of Musculoskeletal (MSK) Care 2024 Report," which revealed that 1 in 2 Americans experience MSK pain.

The report, intended to help illuminate the complex and complicated nature of pain and pain treatment, is based on a survey of 10,000 insured consumers in the United States between the ages of 26 and 76 who have experienced either acute pain (lasting less than three months) or chronic pain (lasting more than three months) within the past two years. Overall, lower back pain was the most prevalent type of pain reported, with 78% of respondents indicating they experienced lower back pain in the past year. More than 50% of respondents have experienced knee, shoulder, neck, or foot pain in the past year.

"Our report reveals that musculoskeletal pain cannot be ignored," Krauss told BenefitsPRO. "These conditions affect a staggering one half of U.S. adults, driving substantial health care spend for employers. People in pain want help, but gaps in care remain, offering an opportunity for forward-thinking organizations to adopt digital MSK solutions. Digital MSK solutions offer an accessible way for people to safely and effectively move beyond pain, while enabling organizations to reduce medical spend on unnecessary surgeries and avoid risky pharmaceuticals, such as opioids."