Australian back pain study links chronic pain, mental health and cost barriers

By AI, Created 6:16 AM UTC, June 02, 2026, /AGP/ – New research from the Australian Chiropractors Association for National Spinal Health Month finds back pain is increasingly affecting Australians’ mental health, work and ability to pay for care. The findings pair a clinical feasibility study with a national survey showing rising chronic pain, treatment delays and heavy reliance on pain medication.

Why it matters: - Back pain is now affecting more than physical health for many Australians. The Australian Chiropractors Association says the condition is contributing to mental distress, lost work time and delayed treatment because of cost pressures. - The findings matter because chronic back pain can worsen depression and disability, while mental health symptoms can also intensify pain. - The ACA says the combination is creating a growing burden for patients, the health system and the economy.

What happened: - The Australian Chiropractors Association launched National Spinal Health Month on 1 June to 30 June with the theme “A healthy spine supports a healthy mind.” - The ACA released results from Australia’s first clinical research study examining whether an online psychologically informed pain management program could be added to usual chiropractic musculoskeletal care. - The study was funded by an ACA Research Grant and conducted at CQUniversity in conjunction with Macquarie University’s MindSpot digital psychological care program. - Dr David McNaughton, a chiropractor, clinician, academic and senior lecturer at CQUniversity, led the study. - The ACA also released a national survey from Pureprofile, titled Back Pain In Australia: The Impact on Mental, Physical & Financial Health.

The details: - The clinical study, titled “Adding an online psychologically informed pain management program to routine musculoskeletal care in Australia: A feasibility study,” tested integration of psychology and physical health care. - The study recruited 26 musculoskeletal clinicians, including 19 chiropractors, to assess attitudes to the program and invite patients to participate. - Patients were offered the MindSpot Pain Course alongside musculoskeletal treatment. - The MindSpot Pain Course is described as a psychologically informed pain management program with data supporting pain-related disability, anxiety and depression outcomes. - Patients who completed the course reported the program was beneficial, acceptable and useful when paired with chiropractic treatment. - Dr McNaughton said patient outcomes appeared to improve across participants, and referral by a trusted clinician was critical to participation and completion. - The survey included 1,040 Australian adults. - 87.1% of respondents said they experienced back pain in the past year. - 69% reported mental health impacts, and 45.9% said the impact was moderate to extreme. - Chronic pain among back pain sufferers rose from 30% in 2024 to 44.1% in 2026, a 22% increase over two years. - 44% of back pain sufferers said cost-of-living pressures prevented them from seeking treatment from a healthcare professional. - Since 2024, GP visits for back pain fell 14%, physiotherapy use fell 23% and chiropractic use fell 19%. - Use of over-the-counter pain medication rose to 85% from 81% in 2024. - 61% reported using prescription medication. - 49% never sought a medical diagnosis for their back pain. - 1 in 10 low back pain sufferers said they took over-the-counter pain medicine daily. - The ACA pointed to University of Sydney evidence that paracetamol is no more effective than placebo for low back pain, and to 2023 World Health Organization guidance recommending medication only as an adjunct to active treatment. - 52% of respondents said back pain added to their mental load over the past year. - Women were 28% more likely than men to avoid treatment because of cost. - The ACA said 6.1 million Australians are affected by musculoskeletal disorders, and 58% are working age, 25 to 64. - Deloitte estimates those disorders cost the Australian economy $55.1 billion a year in direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life. - 28.5% of peak-working-age Australians with low back pain said they needed time off work or could no longer work because of the condition.

Between the lines: - The research pushes a biopsychosocial approach to back pain, arguing that treatment should address both physical symptoms and psychological distress. - The survey suggests affordability is now shaping care choices, with more people relying on medication and fewer seeking hands-on treatment. - The results also point to a gap between diagnosis and treatment, since nearly half of respondents never got a medical diagnosis. - Dr McNaughton said musculoskeletal cases, including back pain, are projected to increase by 43% over the next two decades, making integrated care more urgent.

What’s next: - The ACA wants psychologically informed pain management to be used alongside clinical musculoskeletal care more broadly. - Dr McNaughton said the study is the first to assess that type of integration in Australia, and the results support further work in the area. - The ACA says people with back pain should seek drug-free chiropractic care to treat the cause of pain and reduce the risk of chronic symptoms and related mental health impacts. - More information is available on the ACA website.

The bottom line: - Back pain is emerging as a mental health, workforce and cost-of-living issue at the same time, and the ACA is using Spinal Health Month to argue for earlier, more integrated care.