5 Top Trends for Pain Management in 2017

42% of U.S. adults--105 million Americans--suffer from debilitating pain and are utilizing alternative medicine, healthy eating, exercise, functional medications, and caffeine to relieve their ailments

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Packaged Facts

Feb 13, 2017, 08:37 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a nation built on freedom, far too many Americans are prisoners of their own bodies. While everyone experiences occasional moments of temporary discomfort for the sake of personal growth, market research firm Packaged Facts estimates that over the past year there were 105 million American adults—equivalent to 42% of the age 18+ population—suffering from the type of debilitating pain that impedes rather than improves quality of life. The findings are based on a consumer survey published in the brand new report Pain Management in the U.S.: Consumer Strategies.

For the average adult, quality of life has obvious significance. While a universal definition of quality of life may prove elusive, it strongly relates to personal health, comfort, and happiness, with higher quality of life translating to higher degrees of these qualities.

That pain can become an assault on quality of life is well documented. Pain, when it is not effectively treated and relieved, has a detrimental effect on all aspects of quality of life. This negative impact has been found to span every age and every type and source of pain in which it has been studied, notes Packaged Facts.

"Incidence of pain in the U.S. is widespread, indicating a significant market for any type of pain relieving remedy," says David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts. "Pain management and understanding the options available is paramount for the millions of pain sufferers in need of remedies that alleviate their symptoms and help restore everyday functioning."

Here are five top trends in pain management for 2017:

1. Growth in alternative therapies: While alternative therapies are certainly not new, they are an emerging trend in the U.S. as consumers embrace a natural lifestyle approach to health and wellness. The strong relief ratio achieved by these providers provides fuel to this trend and the popularity of these healthcare specialists will likely continue to grow. As of 2016, roughly 23% of adults trust homeopathic medicine, and 22% prefer alternative medicine to standard medical practices.

Further, Packaged Facts' survey found that among adults who suffered from debilitating pain within the past year, 68% visited a traditional healthcare professional, such as a family/general practice doctor or specialized doctor. However, nearly four out of 10 sufferers visited an alternative healthcare provider, such as an acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc.—a point that shows strong acceptance of alternative methods, whether used in place of traditional healthcare or in tandem.

2. Heavier focus on health and diet: Health and diet considerations play a key role in helping consumers manage their pain. Indeed, food and diet are considered part of 45% of pain sufferers' preferred approach to managing minor everyday pain, and 23% of their preferred approach to managing the "worst pain imaginable."

Further, consumers are hungry for information and tools that can help them lead healthier, more productive, more fulfilled lives—a hunger that only increases among those challenged by illness and pain because they are that much further removed from those intuitively human goals. Health and diet tools—ranging from vitamins and supplements to functional foods and beverages to organic and natural and beyond—have a significant role to play in satiating that hunger and achieving the universal goal of a more fulfilled life.

3. Exercise and weight management part of broader treatment: While weight management is a challenge for many, it is more prevalently so among those challenged by pain-centric illnesses and conditions. Illness and the pain associated with it can curtail activity, from everyday functions to specific behaviors closely associated with health and wellness. Exercising regularly takes a hit, as does the ability to control weight, and the likelihood of being overweight skyrockets.

Nevertheless, when paired with diet and healthy lifestyle efforts, incorporating moderate bouts of exercise to manage weight can be part of a broader pain management treatment strategy as excess weight can compound or exacerbate already existing pain.

4. Rising interest in homeopathic and functional pain medication: Consumers want products to be multi-functional, and pain relievers are no different. Pain sufferers exhibit significant interest in retail products that can help treat their pain while featuring value-added functional claims.

Makers and marketers should consider adding homeopathic or herbal qualities that can help users feel like they are doing something healthy for their entire body and not just eradicating their pain. The aromatherapy and essential oils market has gathered steam from the natural health and wellness megatrend.

5. Caffeine for more than just coffee: While the power of caffeine continues to drive sales of coffee and energy drinks, sating the appetites of consumers seeking an energy boost, it is also recognized as a pain remedy, particularly for migraines. For example, consider Excedrin Extra Strength, which promises that its "combination of active ingredients – Acetaminophen, Aspirin and Caffeine – offer a fast-acting, non-prescription headache pain reliever alternative."

Studies also suggest that caffeine has a broader scope of pain reduction potential, ranging from serving as a useful complement to opioid analgesic use among patients with advanced cancer to complementing acetaminophen in addressing acute back pain.

About the Report

Pain Management in the U.S.: Consumer Strategies, the first in a new segment for Packaged Facts, provides industry participants with an organized, insight-driven roadmap to navigating consumers' pain treatment and management strategies, helping to leverage market opportunity. The report focuses on how adults approach and treat their physical pain, emphasizing consumer survey analysis, including trends over time. The report studies two distinct groups: pain sufferers and adults who have selected illnesses/conditions strongly associated with physical pain and pain management. Demographic analysis of these groups is woven into report analysis. Content is further segmented by the nature of consumers' physical pain and chosen pain treatment methods and outcomes.

For additional information about Pain Management in the U.S.: Consumer Strategies, including purchase options, the abstract, table of contents, and related reports click: http://www.packagedfacts.com/Pain-Management-Consumer-10595686/.

About Packaged Facts

Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer market topics, including consumer demographics and shopper insights, consumer financial products and services, consumer goods and retailing, consumer packaged goods, and pet products and services. Packaged Facts also offers a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased at our company website and are also available through MarketResearch.com.

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SOURCE Packaged Facts