Revolutionizing Pain Management: The Growth in Innovative Devices and Rise of Market

Chronic pain is an unwelcome companion in the journey of life and can significantly impact the quality of life. Being in pain serves as a protective mechanism that warns us when something is wrong with the concerned body part, and is a natural component of the human experience. But for millions of people around the world, chronic pain can be a crippling and irreversible condition. It is observed that chronic pain can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting physical and emotional well-being, social interactions, and daily activities. As per the latest assessment by DelveInsight, the total prevalent cases of chronic pain associated in 7MM countries were around 174 million in 2021. Management of chronic pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach, including medications, physical therapy, psychological counseling, and in some cases, the use of Pain Management Devices or surgical interventions are very helpful. 

In recent years, Pain Management Devices and technologies have become a ray of hope in a time when the desire for a pain-free life is more intense than ever. These ground-breaking devices and technologies have completely changed how we treat and manage chronic pain, providing a drug-free alternative to conventional techniques. Pain Management Devices have firmly established themselves as a compelling response to the age-old dilemma of how to conquer pain and restore control over one’s life, as awareness of their effectiveness increases and the need for sustainable pain relief options develops. As per DelveInsight, the global Pain Management Devices market was valued at USD 4.86 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.90% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2028: It is expected to reach USD 7.67 billion by 2028. This significant growth in the demand for Pain Management Devices can be attributed to several key factors. These include the escalating prevalence of chronic pain, the substantial incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, the expanding elderly population, heightened public awareness of Pain Management Devices, increased research and development investments for innovative product development, and the rising costs associated with healthcare expenditures. Similarly, several MedTech and HealthTech companies are actively working in the Pain Management Devices market to develop innovative products and capture the market share. Companies across the globe are spending more on research and development for developing and launching innovative products.

Chronic Pain: An Overview and Analysis

Chronic pain refers to persistent and long-lasting pain that typically lasts for weeks, months, or even years. It is different from acute pain, which is usually temporary and serves as a response to a specific injury or medical condition. Chronic pain can result from various underlying causes, such as injuries, diseases, medical conditions, or even psychological factors. Some of the most common chronic pain conditions include back pain, arthritis pain, neuropathic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic abdominal pain, among several others. 

Historically, pharmaceutical therapies, physical therapy, and psychological counseling have all been used to address chronic pain. To treat pain, physicians frequently prescribe medications including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and muscle relaxants. These drugs do, however, have a number of negative effects, including addiction, digestive problems, and a gradual loss of effectiveness. Long-term use can also result in tolerance and the requirement for greater doses, raising the likelihood of unfavorable effects. The Pain Management Devices have emerged as a better alternative to the medications. Pain Management Devices are non-invasive, drug-free, and are highly customizable. Moreover, Pain Management Devices have advantages such as improved functionality and are long-term solutions with a low number of side effects.

Pain Management Devices Benefits and Advantages

Pain Management Devices offer several advantages over traditional methods. Some of the key benefits associated with these devices that lead to their high demand are as follows: 

• Reduced Dependency on Medications: By providing non-pharmacological alternatives, these devices can help reduce the risk of medication-related side effects and addiction.
• Targeted Pain Relief: Pain Management Devices can target specific areas of the body, offering localized relief without affecting the entire system.
• Improved Quality of Life: Many individuals with chronic pain report significant improvements in their quality of life after using Pain Management Devices, as they can regain functionality and reduce pain-related limitations.
• Fewer Side Effects: Compared to medications, Pain Management Devices typically have fewer side effects and are considered safer for long-term use.
• Customizable Treatment: Many devices offer customizable settings, allowing patients and healthcare providers to tailor treatment to individual needs.

Pain Management Devices Drawbacks and Challenges

While Pain Management Devices hold great promise, there are challenges and drawbacks with these devices, some of which include:

• Cost: Some advanced devices can be expensive, limiting accessibility for some patients.
• Effectiveness: The effectiveness of Pain Management Devices can vary from person to person, and not all individuals may experience significant relief.
• Regulation and Safety: Ensuring the safety and efficacy of these devices is essential, and regulatory bodies play a critical role in this regard.

Pain Management Devices Market Outlook

As per DelveInsight, Pain Management Devices Market is expected to exhibit remarkable growth in the upcoming years owing to the surge in the prevalence of chronic pain conditions and a growing preference for non-pharmacological, minimally invasive solutions. The increasing incidence of various cancer types, including breast cancer, lung cancer, blood cancer, and others, is a significant factor propelling the growth of the Pain Management Devices demand globally. According to the WHO (2022), there were approximately 2.26 million cases of breast cancer, 2.21 million cases of lung cancer, 1.41 million cases of prostate cancer, 1.09 million cases of stomach cancer, 1.93 million cases of colon and rectum cancer, reported worldwide in 2020. Neuropathic cancer pain (NCP), resulting from nerve damage caused by cancer itself, often poses challenges in effective pain management for many cancer patients. The introduction of advanced Pain Management Devices holds the potential to provide relief from such pain for cancer patients. Moreover, the rising prevalence of orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others is another important driver for the Pain Management Devices market growth. Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability and worldwide around 1.71 billion people are suffering from musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and others.

As per the estimate, in 2020, there were around 727 million individuals in the world aged 65 years or older. By 2050, the figure of such patients is expected to double and reach 1.5 billion by 2050. It is observed that the cases of lower back pain, arthritis, and chronic pain are a result of various factors, and age being the major one. Older age patients require Pain Management Devices to improve their lifestyle. As the global population ages and the awareness of advanced pain management technologies continues to rise, the demand for Pain Management Devices is anticipated to soar. Moreover, ongoing research and development efforts, coupled with regulatory approvals for innovative Pain Management Devices, are fueling the market’s expansion. With the promise of enhanced patient outcomes, reduced dependence on medications, and improved quality of life, the Pain Management Devices market is poised for sustained growth in the foreseeable future.

Factors like hypersensitivity reactions and post-operative infections resulting from the use of these devices restrict their adoption within the pain management device market. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive best practice guidelines for utilizing these devices presents a minor obstacle to the market’s expansion.

Type of Pain Management Devices in the Market

Innovative pain treatment devices have become possible due to the shortcomings and drawbacks of conventional pain management techniques and the active interest of the MedTech giants in delivering new and advanced products to cater to different needs. Currently, the Pain Management Devices Market has several diverse tools and equipment based on different mechanisms of action and use. These gadgets provide non-invasive, drug-free options to relieve suffering by using cutting-edge technology to address pain at its source. Some of the major types of Pain Management Devices available in the market include:

• Neurostimulation Devices: Neurostimulation Devices generate electrical or magnetic impulses to modify brain activity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) machines and spinal cord stimulators, among other devices, have been created to block pain signals and offer relief. These gadgets have shown potential in treating illnesses including migraines and neuropathic pain.
• Analgesic Infusion Pumps (Intrathecal Infusion Pumps and External Infusion Pumps): Analgesic infusion pumps, also known as pain pumps or intrathecal drug delivery systems, are medical devices used in pain management to provide continuous or on-demand administration of analgesic medications directly to the spinal cord or the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. These devices are particularly useful for individuals who experience chronic and severe pain that does not adequately respond to oral or other forms of pain medication. 
• Ablation Devices (Radiofrequency Ablation Devices and Cryoablation Devices): Ablation devices, including Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) devices and Cryoablation devices, are medical tools used in pain management to alleviate chronic pain by disrupting or deactivating pain-conducting nerves or tissues. These minimally invasive procedures are often considered when other pain management techniques, such as medications or physical therapy, have proven ineffective.
• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) Units: TENS units are small, portable devices that use electrode pads to apply low-voltage electrical currents to the skin. These currents cause endorphins to be released from nerve terminals and encourage pain alleviation. TENS units are frequently employed for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, and postoperative pain.
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Devices: In PEMF therapy, electromagnetic fields are used to promote cell regeneration and lower inflammation. It is observed that  PEMF devices are helpful for numerous medical diseases, such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
• Infrared Light Therapy: Infrared Light Therapy devices use particular light wavelengths to penetrate deeply into tissues and promote healing while minimizing pain. When treating illnesses like muscle and joint pain, these devices are frequently employed in physical therapy settings.

Pain Management Devices Market Assessment Based on the Types of Devices

As per DelveInsight, in the type of devices segment, neuromodulation, and neurostimulation devices are expected to hold the largest share in the Pain Management Devices market. The growth can be attributed to the increased prevalence of neurological disorders. Neurostimulation devices have a pivotal role in addressing chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, movement disorders, and depression. This is attributed to the cost-effectiveness of these devices. Additionally, the anticipated approval of multiple neurostimulation devices for chronic pain treatment is expected to drive growth in this segment. Furthermore, prominent market players are actively engaged in research and development efforts to advance neuromodulation and neurostimulation devices specifically for chronic pain management, further bolstering market expansion. Consequently, these factors collectively contribute to the growth of the Pain Management Devices market segment.

Prominent Companies in the Pain Management Devices Market

Companies in the Pain Management Devices industry are actively engaged in this field due to its immense potential for growing demand, innovation, and revenue prospects. Currently, some of the companies in the Pain Management Devices Market such as Smiths Medical, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Baxter, Boston Scientific Corp., Colfax Corp., Medtronic Plc, Nevro Corp., Abbott, Stryker, Omron Healthcare, Inc., Stimwave LLC, and others are actively working to develop new and innovative equipment. With an ever-increasing demand for effective, non-invasive pain relief solutions, these companies are driven by the opportunity to develop cutting-edge technologies that can significantly improve the quality of life for millions of individuals suffering from chronic pain. Additionally, the rising awareness of pain management alternatives and the evolving healthcare landscape make this sector a compelling arena for research, development, and investment, driving companies to explore novel approaches to addressing pain.

Major Clinical, Commercial, and Regulatory Developments in the Pain Management Devices Market

• In July 2022, Nevro Corp. received FDA approval for its Senza® System for the treatment of chronic pain associated with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN).
• In July 2022, Unity HA received Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for the Pulsante® SPG Microstimulator System for the treatment of acute pain associated with chronic cluster headaches.
• In May 2022, SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technologies patented extracorporeal shock wave device called the OrthGold 100® was cleared by the FDA, for the indications of a temporary increase in local blood circulation, relief of minor aches and pains, and activation of connective tissue.
• In June 2021, NeuraLace announced FDA 510(k) clearance and the US Launch of Axon Therapy® Peripheral Nerve Stimulation System for chronic pain relief.
• On January 21, 2021, Saluda Medical Pty Limited announced the positive data from multiple studies evaluating the company’s Evoke® ECAP-Controlled, Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) System for the treatment of chronic pain.
• In September 2020, Nerivio®, a smartphone-controlled electroceutical device developed by Theranica Bioelectronics for the acute treatment of episodic or chronic migraines in adolescents, received CE mark approval.
• In January 2019, Boston Scientific announced the launch of an advanced chronic pain management device, which has been identified as one of the very few devices in the market with the ability to combine paresthesia and sub-perception therapy. 

Pain Management Devices Market: Future Outlook and Growth Analysis

Over the last few years, several significant advances have been registered in the Pain Management Devices market, offering new hope for individuals living with chronic pain. Similarly, the future of the Pain Management Devices Market holds great promise and potential. Companies worldwide are actively engaged in the development of new devices to cater to the different needs and overcome the existing gaps. As healthcare technologies continue to advance, several major sophisticated, effective, and patient-centric innovations are anticipated to be registered in the market. These innovations and advances will lead to greater precision in targeting pain, fewer side effects, and enhanced long-term relief for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. 

Furthermore, with an aging global population and an increasing awareness of non-pharmacological pain management alternatives, the demand for these devices is expected to soar. Continuous research and development efforts, coupled with regulatory approvals for innovative solutions, will play a pivotal role in shaping the market’s trajectory. Ultimately, the Pain Management Devices market’s future appears to be one of improved patient outcomes, reduced reliance on medications, and an improved quality of life for countless individuals dealing with chronic pain.