Chronic pain is no longer just an individual struggle—it is fast becoming a national health emergency.

A recent landmark study published in BMC Geriatrics has uncovered staggering data: nearly 47% of Indians aged 45 and above suffer from joint pain, while over 31% report persistent back pain.

Yet, despite the overwhelming prevalence, most people continue to delay professional medical care, often resorting to over-the-counter painkillers, home remedies, or enduring it in silence.

  The study, which analyzed the experiences of more than 58,000 individuals from 36 states and union territories, paints a worrying picture of widespread pain and inadequate intervention.

Researchers found that chronic pain is not only debilitating on its own—it is also closely associated with cardiovascular disease, psychological distress, and a decline in overall physical function.

Experts now argue that pain should be classified and addressed as a standalone non-communicable disease, rather than dismissed as a mere symptom of aging or wear and tear. 

Dr. Rohit Gulati, Pain Specialist and Associate Clinical Director at Nivaan Care, has seen firsthand how delayed treatment worsens outcomes.

“By the time most patients walk into Nivaan Care, they’ve been in pain for months—sometimes years,” he said.

“Many have cycled through painkillers, multiple referrals, and emotional exhaustion. What they truly need—and what we provide—is a comprehensive pain management strategy. We combine clinical diagnosis with movement therapy, regenerative medicine, and psychological support. Our aim isn’t just to reduce pain—it’s to restore function and prevent future recurrence.” 

The systemic impact of untreated pain goes far beyond joints and muscles. Dr. Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Group Head at Metro Group of Hospitals, emphasized the broader risks.

“Pain is often treated like an inconvenience, when in fact, it’s a gateway to chronic disease,” he explained. “We regularly see patients whose mobility declines due to unresolved back or knee pain, leading to elevated blood pressure, arrhythmias, and even heart attacks. Pain disrupts sleep, increases stress, and discourages physical activity.

Addressing pain early isn’t just orthopedic care—it’s preventive cardiology.”  This call for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach is echoed by Dr. Jyotsna Agarwal, Head of Clinical Development at Nivaan Care.

“Chronic pain deserves the same strategic focus as diabetes or cardiovascular disease,” she said. “That’s why we built an integrated care model, bringing together pain specialists, physiotherapists, rehab professionals, and behavioral health experts under one roof.

Because pain is not just physical—it affects mood, relationships, sleep, and independence. Early, structured care truly transforms outcomes.” 

The findings from the BMC Geriatrics study reveal several alarming trends. Joint pain affects nearly half of India’s population over 45, while 31.7% report chronic back pain and around 20% experience ankle or foot pain.

The burden is notably higher among women and older adults. Chronic pain was also found to be closely associated with physical inactivity, obesity, depression, and increased cardiac risk. States like Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest prevalence. 

What makes this more concerning is the cultural normalization of chronic pain as a part of aging—especially in rural and semi-urban areas—where people often “learn to live with it.”

But doctors warn that this mindset can lead to irreversible damage, disability, and major health complications.  Experts are now calling on policymakers to recognize chronic pain as a public health priority.

They argue for its inclusion in the national health agenda, with investments in awareness campaigns, early screening programs, and wider access to integrated pain clinics. Centres like Nivaan Care are already pioneering this model, but experts insist that nationwide adoption is crucial to reversing the trend. 

As India faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, the time has come to stop treating chronic pain as an afterthought—and start treating it as the serious, multi-dimensional health challenge it truly is.