A groundbreaking study in Nature Medicine reveals chronic pain can be predicted before it spreads. Using data from 493,000 people, researchers created a six-question biopsychosocial risk score that forecasts pain progression up to 9 years in advance. The key drivers? Mood, sleep, stress, and BMI, not tissue damage. This is huge for informing how we understand and prevent persistent pain.

Listening plays a crucial role in effective persistent pain treatment, yet many clinicians interrupt within seconds of asking a question, missing valuable insights. Each person’s experience of pain is unique, and meaningful care begins with understanding their story. When time is short, choosing to listen well can still shape outcomes. The most effective treatment plans often start with the simplest intervention: giving space to be heard.