National Survey Reveals Nearly Half of Americans Suffer From Unexplained Pain and Illness

A new national survey of more than 1,500 U.S. adults has found that nearly half of Americans (48%) are living with ongoing pain or illness that either has no clear explanation or is not responding to medical treatment as expected. The survey, conducted by the Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms in partnership with XandY, reveals the staggering prevalence of neuroplastic symptoms and their massive impact on both individuals and the healthcare system.

The findings indicate that tens of millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain or illness not caused by injury or disease. New research shows the brain can generate pain or illness anywhere in the body through learned nerve pathways that are reversible. These neuroplastic symptoms have costs to the healthcare system that are greater than for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined, making this both a personal health crisis and a significant economic burden.

David Clarke, MD, President of ATNS and a board-certified gastroenterologist, emphasized the treatment gap. "There are highly effective treatments for these conditions, but few people know about them," Clarke said. "They work by training your brain to recognize and turn off unnecessary danger signals. What is most needed now is greater awareness, widespread professional training, and much better access to these solutions."

The survey results provide detailed insight into the nature of these conditions. Among those most likely to have neuroplastic symptoms, 63% have been experiencing their current symptoms for up to five years, while 37% have had their symptoms for more than five years. The diversity of symptoms is substantial, with 65% reporting chronic back or neck pain; 57% experiencing muscle, limb, or joint pain; 43% suffering from chronic fatigue; and 35% dealing with headaches or migraines. Most patients live with several conditions simultaneously.

Notably, the survey found significant openness to psychological approaches among sufferers. Of people with a symptom, 76-97% believe their symptom could have a psychological cause at least "some of the time." Among those most likely to have neuroplastic symptoms, 47% say they are either "definitely" or "probably" willing to try neuroplastic psychological treatment, while only 20% say they "definitely" or "probably" would not.

Clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of these treatments. Recent clinical trials have documented far better outcomes with Neuroplastic Recovery Therapies compared to older methods. In the Boulder Back Pain study, pain improved by an average of 75% in just four weeks. At UCLA, male veterans achieved at least 30% pain relief nearly four times as often (63%) as those treated with traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (17%).

Co-author Matthew Goldberg, PhD, highlighted the significance of these findings. "This is not a fringe issue. Chronic, unexplained pain and illness are an urgent problem for many. Awareness of and access to effective treatments can be life-changing, as it has been for me." Co-author Abel Gustafson, PhD added, "These findings are a roadmap for change. Our long-term vision is to dramatically increase the understanding and treatment of neuroplastic symptoms among the public, patients, and practitioners."

To illustrate the human impact behind the research, ATNS has released a short video showing how the brain can generate symptoms and be the source of relief. The organization provides additional resources through its website at https://www.symptomatic.me and offers membership information at https://www.symptomatic.me/membership.

Clarke concluded, "Knowledge becomes healing. This survey shows that many people suffering from neuroplastic symptoms accept the possibility of a psychological cause. Many are open to trying neuroplastic recovery therapies. Our task now is to expand public awareness of and reduce barriers to access for these treatments."