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The National Center for Health Statistics released data in November 2024 showing 24.3% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in the previous three months during 2023. That translates to over 51 million Americans living with persistent discomfort. Yet medical research from leading institutions reveals that many patients unknowingly follow outdated advice that prolongs their suffering.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute understands that patients in Cave Creek, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and throughout the Valley need accurate, evidence-based information to make informed decisions about their care. This article examines seven widespread pain management myths, backed by recent clinical studies and documented patient outcomes from major medical research centers.
What Chronic Pain Really Is: Understanding the Evidence
Chronic pain affects millions of Americans, but understanding what it actually is requires looking at documented research. Cleveland Clinic researchers published findings in JAMA Network Open in November 2024 that examined chronic pain treatment. The study followed 140 participants with chronic lower back pain from May 2022 through May 2023, with an average age of 48 years and over 80% female participants.
The research revealed that chronic low back pain affects up to 20% of adults worldwide, making it difficult to walk, sleep, work, or perform daily activities. Dr. Robert Saper, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Wellness and Preventive Medicine, explained the significance: patients need comprehensive approaches that address both physical symptoms and functional limitations.
At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, this evidence-based understanding shapes treatment protocols. Chronic pain is not simply a symptom but a complex condition involving genetic, biological, and psychosocial dimensions. Dr. Jianguo Cheng, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Consortium for Pain, described it as “a complex mix” that creates “ongoing pain out of proportion to the original limited injury that triggered it.”
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The Arizona medical community recognizes that effective pain management requires moving beyond single-intervention approaches. Research consistently demonstrates that multimodal treatment—combining multiple therapeutic strategies—produces superior outcomes compared to relying on one method alone.
How Leading Medical Centers Achieved Results With Innovative Protocols
Major medical institutions have documented specific protocols that deliver measurable improvements for chronic pain patients. These findings inform treatment approaches used by pain management specialists throughout Arizona.
Cleveland Clinic published groundbreaking research on ketamine infusions for chronic pain management in October 2025. The study analyzed data from 1,034 patients who received a standardized ketamine infusion protocol: 0.5 mg/kg administered over 40 minutes for five consecutive days.
Dr. Pavan Tankha, medical director of Comprehensive Pain Recovery in Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute, stated the research “addresses critical gaps in pain management and shows a significant step forward in improving care for those patients who have otherwise exhausted all other treatment options.”
The implementation specifics provided valuable insights. Patients underwent outpatient ketamine infusions with an 86.1% adherence rate, demonstrating the protocol’s feasibility outside hospital settings. Dr. Hallie Tankha, a clinical pain psychologist in Cleveland Clinic’s Primary Care Institute, noted that patients often described ketamine infusions as “life changing.”
The team monitored patients for over six months, tracking pain interference, depression, and physical function. Nearly half of patients showed clinically meaningful improvement in pain-related anxiety. This systematic approach included detailed patient screening, standardized dosing protocols, and comprehensive follow-up assessments.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute incorporates similar evidence-based methodologies into treatment planning. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the practice evaluates each patient’s unique circumstances and develops individualized protocols based on documented research outcomes.
Measurable Outcomes From Evidence-Based Pain Management
The numbers from recent studies reveal substantial improvements when patients receive evidence-based multimodal care rather than following common myths.
Cleveland Clinic’s ketamine study showed sustained improvements lasting up to six months. Patients experienced measurable reductions in pain interference with daily activities, decreased depression scores, and improved physical function. The 86.1% adherence rate demonstrated that outpatient protocols can work effectively when properly structured.
For virtual yoga programs, Cleveland Clinic documented specific improvements using validated assessment tools. The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire showed statistically significant improvements in back-related function. Participants reported reduced pain intensity that persisted through the 12-week assessment period following the yoga intervention.
The CDC’s November 2024 data brief revealed broader context: 8.5% of U.S. adults experienced high-impact chronic pain that frequently limited life or work activities. This represented approximately 51.6 million people dealing with chronic pain and 20.9 million with high-impact chronic pain.
Arizona mirrors these national trends. Patients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Cave Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and surrounding communities, face similar challenges with chronic pain affecting their daily lives and work capabilities.
The trade-off data matters for Arizona patients considering treatment options. A 2018 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients prescribed opioids for long-term chronic pain did not have better pain control than patients who were not prescribed opioids. This challenges the myth that opioid medications represent the only effective solution.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute emphasizes these evidence-based findings when discussing treatment options with patients. Understanding actual outcomes from documented research helps patients make informed decisions rather than relying on myths or outdated assumptions.
Comparing Approaches to Pain Management Myths
Four leading medical institutions have published research between 2023-2025 that directly addresses common pain management myths with documented evidence. These findings guide treatment approaches used by Arizona pain specialists.
Cleveland Clinic’s Multimodal Approach
Cleveland Clinic demonstrated through multiple 2024-2025 studies that combining therapies produces better outcomes than single interventions. Their ketamine research showed improvements across pain intensity, psychological function, and daily activities. Their virtual yoga study proved non-pharmacologic interventions deliver measurable results. The institution’s approach prioritizes comprehensive assessment before treatment selection.
Hospital for Special Surgery’s Medication Analysis
In August 2020, Hospital for Special Surgery published detailed analysis showing that antidepressants like amitriptyline or duloxetine, and antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin or pregabalin, often work better for nerve pain than opioids. They emphasized these medications are generally better tolerated with lower risk profiles. Their documentation specifically refuted the myth that opioids are the only effective pain medications.
Mayo Clinic’s Demographic Data
The CDC’s 2023 National Health Interview Survey revealed chronic pain increased with age, from 12.3% among adults 18-29 to 36.0% among those 65 and older. Women experienced higher rates than men (26.4% versus 22.1%). American Indian and Alaska Native adults showed the highest prevalence at 30.7%. These demographic patterns appear in Arizona’s diverse patient population.
NIH’s Persistence Research
The National Institutes of Health published findings in JAMA Network Open showing new chronic pain cases occur at 52.4 per 1,000 people annually. This exceeds rates for diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. Among people with chronic pain, almost two-thirds still suffered from it a year later, demonstrating the persistent nature of the condition.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute applies these research findings to patient care. The practice recognizes that chronic pain requires individualized, multimodal treatment approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions or reliance on outdated myths.
Practical Implementation Based on Documented Methodologies
Leading medical institutions’ published protocols provide specific steps that pain management specialists use. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute incorporates these evidence-based methodologies into comprehensive patient care.
Assessment and Baseline Measurement
Cleveland Clinic’s yoga study used the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire to establish baseline measures before treatment. They assessed pain intensity scores and back-related function. This objective measurement approach allows tracking of actual progress rather than subjective impressions.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute follows similar comprehensive assessment protocols. The practice evaluates patients’ pain levels, functional limitations, psychological factors, and treatment history before recommending interventions. This thorough evaluation ensures treatment plans address each patient’s specific circumstances.
Treatment Protocol Selection
Cleveland Clinic’s ketamine protocol followed precise specifications: 0.5 mg/kg administered over 40 minutes for five consecutive days. This standardized approach ensured consistency across the 1,034 patients studied. The outpatient setting made treatment accessible without requiring hospitalization.
The virtual yoga program consisted of 12-week live-streamed group classes followed by a 12-week assessment period. The 71 participants in the intervention group received structured, therapeutic yoga specifically designed for chronic lower back pain, not general fitness yoga.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute tailors treatment protocols to each patient’s needs while following evidence-based guidelines. The practice offers multiple intervention options informed by current research, allowing patients to benefit from documented approaches that have proven effective.
Timeline and Resource Allocation
Cleveland Clinic’s yoga study ran from May 2022 through May 2023, demonstrating the importance of adequate follow-up periods. They didn’t evaluate outcomes after just a few weeks but tracked participants through full assessment cycles.
The ketamine study followed patients for over six months post-treatment. This extended timeline revealed that improvements in pain interference, depression, and physical function could persist long after the five-day infusion protocol ended.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute emphasizes realistic timelines with patients. Chronic pain management requires patience and consistent follow-through rather than expecting instant results. The practice schedules appropriate follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Avoiding Common Implementation Mistakes
Research documentation reveals mistakes to avoid. Don’t treat chronic pain as purely psychological—it has real physical causes. Don’t rely solely on medication when multimodal approaches show superior outcomes. Don’t expect instant results; studies demonstrate that meaningful improvement requires weeks to months.
Don’t assume older age means patients must accept chronic pain. The CDC data showed higher prevalence with age, but research included participants across age ranges who achieved improvements. Don’t prescribe complete bed rest; research consistently shows this worsens outcomes rather than providing relief.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute helps patients avoid these pitfalls through education and evidence-based treatment planning. The practice’s approach prioritizes what research shows actually works rather than perpetuating common myths.
Seven Evidence-Based Truths That Counter Common Myths
Myth 1: Pain Is Just in Your Head
Chronic pain is a legitimate medical condition recognized by medical institutions nationwide, not imaginary. The CDC documented 51.6 million Americans with chronic pain in 2021. Brain imaging studies show chronic pain creates measurable changes in neural pathways. While pain perception occurs in the brain, the causes stem from injury, inflammation, nerve damage, or disease.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute treats chronic pain as the serious medical condition it is. The practice uses objective assessments and validated measurement tools to track patients’ pain and functional status. This evidence-based approach validates patients’ experiences while providing concrete treatment targets.
Myth 2: Opioids Are the Only Effective Pain Medication
Hospital for Special Surgery’s research found no studies proving opioids help treat long-term chronic pain lasting longer than three months. The 2018 JAMA study showed patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain did not have better pain control than those not prescribed opioids. Antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, and anti-inflammatory medications often provide superior relief with fewer risks.
Arizona patients deserve to know the full range of medication options available. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute discusses the evidence regarding different medication classes and helps patients understand that effective pain management often involves non-opioid approaches with better safety profiles.
Myth 3: Rest Is the Best Treatment
WebMD’s medical research review found complete bed rest is one of the worst things for back pain or chronic pain. Physical inactivity causes rapid deconditioning, leading to more pain when movement resumes. Cleveland Clinic’s yoga study proved that structured movement and exercise reduce pain intensity and improve function.
Arizona’s climate allows for year-round physical activity, which research shows benefits chronic pain patients. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute encourages appropriate movement and exercise as part of comprehensive treatment plans, helping patients stay active safely.
Myth 4: Pain Is a Normal Part of Aging
While the CDC data showed chronic pain increased from 12.3% in adults 18-29 to 36.0% in those 65+, this doesn’t mean it’s inevitable or untreatable. Cleveland Clinic’s studies included participants with average ages of 48 years who achieved measurable improvements. Chronic pain deserves proper treatment at any age, not resignation.
Arizona’s large retiree population in areas like Sun City, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley should not accept chronic pain as unavoidable. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute provides evidence-based treatment for patients across all age groups, recognizing that quality of life matters at every stage.
Myth 5: If Imaging Shows Nothing, Pain Isn’t Real
Medical professionals at multiple institutions emphasize that pain is a personal experience that can’t always be measured by X-rays or MRIs. Nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome often show no imaging abnormalities yet cause severe, documented suffering. The absence of visible damage doesn’t negate the legitimacy of pain.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute validates patients’ pain experiences regardless of imaging results. The practice understands that chronic pain involves complex mechanisms that may not appear on scans, and treatment focuses on improving function and reducing suffering based on comprehensive clinical evaluation.
Myth 6: Pain Medication Will Fix the Problem
Cleveland Clinic’s research demonstrates that medication represents just one component of effective pain management. Their ketamine protocol integrated into comprehensive care approaches rather than serving as standalone treatment. The multimodal model combines medications, physical therapy, psychological support, and lifestyle modifications for optimal outcomes.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute follows this evidence-based multimodal approach. The practice offers comprehensive treatment plans that address chronic pain from multiple angles, giving patients the best chance for meaningful improvement based on what research shows actually works.
Myth 7: You Must Live With Chronic Pain Forever
Cleveland Clinic’s six-month follow-up data on ketamine therapy showed sustained improvements in pain interference and physical function. Their yoga study demonstrated that a 12-week program produced lasting benefits through the assessment period. While chronic pain may not have a complete cure, evidence-based multimodal treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute helps patients understand that chronic pain can be managed effectively. While complete elimination may not always be possible, documented research shows that proper treatment significantly improves function, reduces pain levels, and enhances quality of life for most patients.
Finding Evidence-Based Pain Management in Arizona
Arizona patients seeking treatment that follows evidence-based protocols rather than outdated myths should look for specific qualifications and approaches when selecting a pain management provider.
Seek physicians with specialized pain management training, not just general practitioners. The complexity of chronic pain requires years of focused education in pain medicine. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute’s specialists bring this dedicated expertise to patient care, staying current with the latest research and treatment protocols.
Look for clinics offering multimodal treatment approaches similar to those documented in major research studies: combinations of medication, physical therapy, interventional procedures, and psychological support. Single-approach treatment rarely delivers optimal outcomes for chronic pain.
Ask potential providers about their assessment methods. Quality pain management begins with comprehensive evaluation using validated tools similar to those employed in Cleveland Clinic’s research. Request information about follow-up protocols and outcome tracking. Research studies demonstrated the importance of monitoring patients over months, not just weeks.
Verify that the practice stays current with recent research. Treatment approaches evolving rapidly mean methods from five years ago may be outdated. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute incorporates findings from major institutions’ latest research into treatment protocols, ensuring patients benefit from current evidence-based approaches.
Red flags include promises of complete pain elimination, heavy reliance on opioid medications without exploring alternatives, or dismissal of non-pharmacologic approaches. Evidence-based care acknowledges that chronic pain management aims for functional improvement and quality of life enhancement rather than unrealistic guarantees.
Geographic considerations matter for Arizona patients. Cave Creek residents, those in Scottsdale, Phoenix metro area, and surrounding communities benefit from choosing providers who understand the region’s unique characteristics. Arizona’s climate, outdoor lifestyle opportunities, and demographic patterns all factor into optimal pain management strategies.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute serves patients throughout the Valley with evidence-based care grounded in current research. The practice understands that effective pain management requires combining scientific evidence with individualized treatment planning that respects each patient’s unique circumstances and goals.
Conclusion
Cleveland Clinic’s 2024 research on 140 patients with chronic lower back pain proved that evidence-based non-pharmacologic approaches deliver measurable results. Their subsequent 2025 ketamine study involving 1,034 patients demonstrated that innovative treatments can help those who’ve exhausted traditional options. Meanwhile, the CDC documented that 24.3% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in 2023.
These studies share a crucial insight: multimodal, evidence-based treatment works better than following common myths about pain management. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute brings this research-based approach to patients throughout Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and the surrounding Valley communities.
If you’re among the millions living with chronic pain, your next action is scheduling a comprehensive evaluation at Arizona Pain and Spine Institute. The practice follows evidence-based protocols informed by current research, offers multimodal treatment options beyond just medication, and tracks outcomes over time to ensure patients achieve meaningful improvements.
Don’t let common myths keep you from effective pain management. Contact Arizona Pain and Spine Institute to learn how evidence-based care can help you reduce pain, improve function, and enhance your quality of life.
FAQ SECTION
Q: How common is chronic pain in the United States and Arizona?
The CDC reported in November 2024 that 24.3% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain in 2023, affecting approximately 51.6 million people. Rates increase with age from 12.3% in younger adults to 36.0% in those 65 and older. Arizona’s population reflects similar trends.
Q: Do opioids work better than other medications for chronic pain?
No. A 2018 JAMA study found patients prescribed opioids for long-term chronic pain did not have better pain control than those not prescribed opioids. Hospital for Special Surgery research shows antidepressants and antiepileptic drugs often work better with fewer risks.
Q: What did Cleveland Clinic’s 2024 research prove about pain treatment?
Cleveland Clinic’s study of 140 patients showed virtual yoga programs reduced chronic lower back pain intensity and improved function over 24 weeks. Their 2025 ketamine study of 1,034 patients demonstrated sustained improvements in pain interference and physical function lasting six months.
Q: Is complete bed rest recommended for chronic pain?
No. Medical research consistently shows complete bed rest worsens chronic pain outcomes. Physical inactivity causes rapid deconditioning and increased pain when movement resumes. Studies proved structured exercise and movement reduce pain intensity and improve function.
Q: Should I accept chronic pain as part of aging?
No. While chronic pain prevalence increases with age, it’s not inevitable or untreatable. Research showed patients across age ranges achieved measurable improvements through evidence-based multimodal treatment approaches. Arizona Pain and Spine Institute treats patients of all ages effectively.
DISCLAIMER
This article references publicly available information from Cleveland Clinic, National Center for Health Statistics (CDC), Hospital for Special Surgery, National Institutes of Health (NIH), WebMD, and Journal of the American Medical Association including official documentation, press releases, and published case studies dated November 2022 through October 2025. All metrics and quotes are from documented sources. Results described are specific to the organizations and studies mentioned and may vary based on individual circumstances, medical conditions, and treatment approaches. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For current information about treatments or to schedule a consultation, contact Arizona Pain and Spine Institute directly. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding your medical condition.