Cherkin, D.C. J GEN INTERN MED (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4362-5
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) has long been one of the most clinically challenging conditions. The inability of clinicians to identify specific underlying causes of CMP for most patients and the lack of highly effective treatments continues to frustrate both clinicians and patients. Clinician desires to relieve their patients’ suffering in conjunction with patients’ often desperate demands for pain relief have led to increased use of invasive, costly, and higher risk treatments. Unfortunately, these treatments have failed to reduce the debilitating effects of CMP on patients1 and have been accompanied by significant adverse effects. Of particular concern has been the proliferation of opioid prescriptions that has devastated the lives of many patients, families, and communities.2 Fortunately, research has identified safe, effective, and sometimes cost-effective treatment options for the most common types of CMP.3,4 These treatments are now recommended as first-line alternatives to opioids and other pharmacological treatments.