A national study reveals widespread chronic pain among India’s ageing population, with experts from cardiology and pain management calling for structured, early intervention before irreversible damage occurs.
Chronic pain is no longer just a personal struggle it’s a silent epidemic. According to a landmark study published in BMC Geriatrics, nearly 47% of Indians aged 45 and above report joint pain, and over 31% live with persistent back pain. Despite these alarming figures, the majority of patients delay seeking medical attention relying on over-the-counter painkillers, home remedies, or simply “learning to live with it.” Experts warn that this neglect can lead to irreversible damage, disability, and serious health complications.
The study, which analyzed responses from over 58,000 individuals across 36 states and union territories, points to a deep and dangerous gap between the prevalence of pain and the systems available to treat it. Chronic pain is strongly linked to cardiovascular, psychological, and functional decline—prompting calls to treat it as a standalone non-communicable disease rather than just a symptom.
Dr. Rohit Gulati, Pain Specialist and Associate Clinical Director at Nivaan Care, noted,
“By the time most patients walk into Nivaan Care, they’ve been in pain for months sometimes years. Many have cycled through painkillers, orthopaedic referrals, and even emotional burnout. What they truly need—and what we provide is a comprehensive pain management approach. At Nivaan, we combine clinical diagnosis with movement therapy, regenerative medicine, and psychological support. Our mission is not just to relieve pain, but to restore daily function and prevent recurrence.”
Echoing the systemic implications of untreated pain, Dr. Sameer Gupta, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Vascular Intervention Specialist, Group Head – Cardiac Cath Lab, and Director – Metro Group of Hospitals, stated,
“Pain is often treated like an inconvenience, when in reality, it’s a gateway to disease. We regularly see patients whose mobility declines due to untreated back or knee pain, and what follows is a spike in cardiovascular risk—elevated blood pressure, stress-related arrhythmias, even cardiac events. Pain indirectly accelerates heart disease by robbing people of physical activity, emotional stability, and sleep. Early pain management is not just musculo-skeletal care, it’s preventive cardiology.”
Dr. Jyotsna Agarwal, Head Clinical Development at Nivaan Care, added, “Chronic pain deserves the same strategic focus as diabetes or heart disease. That’s why we built an integrated care model—bringing together pain specialists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation professionals, and behavioral experts under one roof. Because pain isn’t just physical—it affects sleep, mood, relationships, and one’s ability to live independently. Early, consistent care makes all the difference.”
Study Highlights
- 47% of adults aged 45+ report joint pain
- 31.7% report chronic back pain; 20% report ankle/foot pain
- Women and older adults face significantly higher risk
- Pain is strongly linked to inactivity, obesity, depression, and cardiac risk
- Highest prevalence reported in Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Madhya Pradesh
Chronic pain is not a temporary issue it’s a growing public health emergency. Experts urge India to integrate pain management into its national health strategy, expand access to multidisciplinary care, and invest in awareness initiatives that empower early intervention. Centres like Nivaan Care are leading the way with structured, science-backed recovery models but national-scale adoption will be key to reversing India’s chronic pain burden.