Chronic pain affects more than 60 million U.S. adults — nearly 25 percent of the population — and growing evidence suggests that a holistic approach focused on overall wellness and rooted in nonpharmacological therapy is not only safer but also more effective.^1,2

Managing chronic pain can be a complex challenge since it can limit mobility and quality of life, impacting both physical and mental well-being. Consider these facts:

• 8.5 percent of American adults live with high-impact chronic pain that frequently limits life activities.³
  
  
• More than half of adults with chronic pain experience anxiety and depression.⁴
  
  
• New cases of chronic pain outpace new cases of diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure among U.S. adults.⁵
  
  
• Chronic pain has been linked with a variety of other conditions that affect longevity, overall wellness, and quality of life, including sleep disturbances, nerve disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, substance abuse, and depression.⁶

Nonpharmacological pain treatment options

Evidence supporting nonopioid approaches to managing chronic pain, such as interventional medicine and physical therapy, has grown in recent years, offering providers effective alternatives that also address the root causes of pain rather than simply treating symptoms.⁷

While approximately 5.3 million adults in the United States use prescription opioids frequently or daily to manage chronic pain,⁸ the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidance in 2025 to accelerate safe and effective nonopioid treatment that established indications for broader categories covering multiple pain conditions and evaluating the ability of nonopioid treatment as an alternative to opioid use.

Current research and practice leans toward a combined approach of medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and nonpharmacological therapies, including physical therapy, acupuncture, injections or nerve blocks, massage, and biofeedback.

Cigna Healthcare^® understands the importance of a personalized treatment plan for those who are suffering from chronic pain. Cigna Pathwell Bone & Joint^®, a Condition-Specific Care Program, offers support for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as spine, hip, knee, or shoulder pain. This program guides patients to the right path for care using a comprehensive whole-person health approach, offering virtual physical therapy, a dedicated care team, on-demand exercise therapy, and pain management support.⁹

Chronic pain and behavioral health

Many patients suffering from chronic pain can develop behavioral health conditions that may result from, or contribute to, their physical pain. These patients may benefit from a referral to a behavioral health care provider and other support resources. In addition, patients who have failed standard treatments, have severe functional deficits, or have psychosocial risk factors may benefit from a referral to an interdisciplinary pain management specialty program.

Cigna Healthcare offers a variety of resources to support your patients suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.

• Evernorth^® Health personal advocate: Your patients can call 888.736.7009 for support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  
  
• Employee assistance program: Patients with employer health plans can access support via licensed counselors for stress and anxiety, depression, illness, and other life challenges. Referrals are available for in-person or virtual short-term counseling.

• MD Live by Evernorth: Our virtual health care solution offers your patients age 10 or older access to behavioral health services (e.g., therapy, psychiatry) via MDLNext.MDLive.com, phone (888.726.3171), or the MD Live app.

Resources and coverage vary based on your patient’s medical or behavioral benefit plan. Patients can confirm coverage and benefit information and search the directory for in-network providers and facilities on myCigna.com^®.

Provider resources

There are several resources available to providers:

• Behavioral and Mental Health Resources for Providers: This web page provides information and tools that you can use to support your patients’ well-being.
• Case Management & Health Engagement Programs web page: This page offers information about our various health engagement programs.
• Chronic Condition Management web page: This page provides information about our chronic condition management program, including an overview and clinical coaching tools and guidelines.
• Cigna Pathwell Bone & Joint: This web page highlights important information about the program, including how to identify designated providers and contact information.
• Coverage policies: These tools can assist in interpreting standard health care coverage plan provisions.

Learn more about the link between chronic conditions and mental health and available resources for your patients and your practice by reading How chronic conditions and mental health influence each other.

1. Anna Zajacova, et al. “Pain among US adults before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a study using the 2019 to 2023 National Health Interview Survey.” National Institutes of Health. 05 August 2025. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12327765/#abstract2.

2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Nonopioid Therapies for Pain Management.” CDC. 31 January 2025. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/hcp/clinical-care/nonopioid-therapies-for-pain-management.html. 

3. Jacqueline Lucas, et al. “Chronic Pain and High-impact Chronic Pain in U.S. Adults, 2023.” CDC. 21 November 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db518.htm. 

4. Tori DeAngelis. “More than half of adults with chronic pain experience anxiety and depression.” American Psychological Association. 01 March 2024. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/03/chronic-pain-depression-anxiety.

5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. “NIH study finds high rates of persistent chronic pain among U.S. adults.” Press release. 16 May 2023. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/news/press-releases/nih-study-finds-high-rates-of-persistent-chronic-pain-among-us-adults.

6. S. Michaela Rikard, et al. “Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021.” CDC. 14 April 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7215a1.htm#.

7. American Academy of Procedural Medicine (AAOPM). “Pain Management Without Opioids: 12 Evidence-Based Approaches.” AAOPM. 21 March 2026. Retrieved from https://aaopm.com/blog/pain-management-without-opioids/#why-non-opioid-matters.

8. Jae Kennedy, et al. “Factors associated with frequent or daily use of prescription opioids among adults with chronic pain in the United States.” Journal of International Medical Research. 2023. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03000605221149289.

9. Benefits vary according to plan coverage.