Can we test for pain?
The Complexity of Spine Pain: Why It's a Leading Cost Driver and How We Can Do Better
Spine pain is one of the most significant drivers of healthcare costs, yet it remains deeply misunderstood. One of the core reasons why spine and musculoskeletal (MSK) pain are such high-cost factors is the sheer difficulty in understanding, testing for, and managing pain itself. This complexity extends beyond the physical to the very way we approach diagnosis and treatment.
Why Testing for Pain is So Challenging
In today's world of advanced medical technology, we can diagnose countless conditions through tests—whether it's genetics, blood work, or imaging. But when it comes to pain, there is no definitive test. Instead, we rely on a subjective scale from 1 to 10, often accompanied by smiley faces. This basic approach might seem absurd, but it’s the reality for most healthcare providers. Despite all the advances in understanding the neurology and physiology of pain, there is still no way to accurately measure it beyond a patient's personal description.
This lack of objective testing makes it difficult to treat patients consistently. Even though we understand the pathways in the brain and nervous system that control pain and have tools like EEGs to measure nerve function, there is no straightforward explanation for why one person experiences intense pain while another feels nothing under similar conditions.
The Lagging Indicator Problem
Pain, particularly spine and MSK pain, is often a lagging indicator of a larger, systemic issue. But even this isn’t consistent. Two patients, similar in gender, age, and health history, may experience drastically different levels of pain. In fact, studies have shown that even identical twins—who share the same genetic makeup—can experience vastly different symptoms despite living in the same environment, eating the same food, and enduring similar stressors.
At Align & Co., we’ve seen this phenomenon play out hundreds of times. We’ve worked with patients who have no symptoms, but whose objective testing suggests they should be in significant pain. On the other hand, we’ve seen patients whose tests show minimal or no injury, yet they experience debilitating pain.
Why Holistic Care is the Answer
Given the complexity and inconsistency of pain, it’s no wonder that traditional allopathic approaches—like relying on medication to "numb" the problem—fall short. Holistic care, by contrast, looks at the body as a whole. We don’t isolate pain as a standalone issue but view it as part of a larger system. This approach often yields better results in MSK conditions because it accounts for the interconnectedness of the body’s systems rather than treating it as a mechanical issue that can be fixed by targeting one specific area.
The lack of testing and our limited understanding of pain also explains why specialized, mechanistic interventions often fail. If pain were as simple as something like a broken bone, we’d have far better tests and treatments by now. Instead, the reality is that pain is nonlinear, complex, and deeply personal.
The Cost of Treating Pain Poorly
Because of these complexities, treating pain is expensive. A fragmented approach—using multiple specialists and countless tests—often leads to poor results and higher healthcare costs. The healthcare system is spending billions trying to address the issue, but the results don’t match the investment. Without a holistic understanding of how pain works and how the body operates as a whole, we’re left chasing symptoms without addressing the root causes.
A Holistic Path Forward
At Align & Co., we believe that understanding and managing pain requires a robust, whole-body approach. By focusing on the entire system, we aim to improve the efficacy of care while reducing overall costs. We’re not just treating symptoms; we’re addressing the underlying issues that drive MSK pain in the first place. This is why we’re dedicated to advancing the understanding of how repetitive stress injuries contribute to spine pain and offering treatments that provide long-lasting relief.
In a world where pain is often misunderstood, our goal is to help patients and employers find better solutions—solutions that look at the bigger picture, and in turn, lead to better outcomes.
