Confluent Health

Chronic pain affects more than the body.

It can impact sleep, mental well-being, relationships, work, daily activities, and overall quality of life. Yet too often, care focuses only on symptoms rather than the full experience of living with pain.

That's why we launched The Pain Perspective, a research initiative exploring how chronic pain affects patients and what they need from their care experience.

The findings reinforce an important reality: chronic pain is a whole-person experience, and recovery requires a whole-person approach.

Learn how patients define success, why education matters, and what the future of chronic pain care could look like.

🔗 Read the full blog post: https://confluenthealth.com/resources/the-pain-perspective-what-we-learned-about-chronic-pain-in-america/

Pain impacts far more than physical health.

The findings from The Pain Perspective reveal how chronic pain affects movement, mental health, daily activities, and access to care for millions of Americans.

Swipe through for key findings and download the full report to explore the data ➡️ https://confluenthealth.com/pain-perspective/

Today, we're proud to launch The Pain Perspective.

Drawing on insights from more than 1,300 patients, musculoskeletal clinicians, and referring physicians, this new report explores how chronic pain affects daily life, mental health, access to care, and recovery.

▪️85% of patients surveyed have lived with chronic pain for more than a year
▪️More than 80% say pain limits their daily activities
▪️65% report mental health challenges related to their pain
▪️Nearly half delayed or avoided care because of cost
▪️9 in 10 would recommend physical therapy

Perhaps most importantly, the findings show that patients, clinicians, and physicians are more aligned than many realize. Across all three groups, there is strong support for care that goes beyond symptom management and focuses on function, movement, and quality of life.

Explore the full report: https://confluenthealth.com/pain-perspective/

Your pelvic floor doesn't work alone, and neither should your care.

Pelvic floor health is about more than strength. It's about coordination between your pelvic floor, core, diaphragm, hips, and spine working together to support movement, stability, and function.

This Pelvic Health Month, we're exploring why a whole-body approach matters and why pelvic floor therapy goes far beyond Kegels. Because when every part of the body works together, we're stronger together.

Read more: https://confluenthealth.com/resources/biomechanics-of-a-functional-pelvic-floor/

Beyond the Kegel: The Biomechanics of a Functional Pelvic Floor | Confluent Health When most people hear pelvic floor therapy, they immediately think of one word: Kegel. While Kegels are a common exercise for pelvic health, relying on them alone to strengthen your pelvic floor is like using paper napkins to level an uneven table.  Pelvic floor health is a sophistica...

Gardening season is in full bloom, and it turns out your garden may be helping more than just your flowers thrive. 🌱☀️

Dr. Ben Buchanan, PT, DPT, OCS, AIB-VR/CON, SCS, of Physical Therapy Central recently shared how gardening can support both physical and mental health, while also offering expert tips to help prevent aches, pains, and injuries along the way.

From protecting your back and knees to improving posture, stretching properly, and staying safe in the sun, Ben breaks down how to garden smarter so you can keep doing what you love all season long.

Blossoming Benefits: Digging into the Rewards of Gardening | Confluent Health The Spring & Summer months are upon us, meaning some of your gardens are already blooming. Did you know there is increasing evidence that exposure to plants, green space and gardening benefits mental and physical health? Working in the garden restores dexterity and strength and promotes aerobic exer...

Strong bones are built with more than just staying active. 💪🦴

Our very own Dr. Alex Corbett, PT, DPT, of BBreakThrough Physical Therapyrecently shared why physical therapists can play a critical role in improving bone density, reducing fracture risk, and helping people stay strong and independent as they age.

From understanding osteoporosis and osteopenia to the science behind strength training and impact loading, Alex breaks down what the research actually says about building stronger bones, and why walking alone often isn’t enough.

Building Better Bone Density: Why Your Physical Therapist Is Your Secret Weapon Against Osteoporosis | Confluent Health In the United States, an estimated 10 million adults have osteoporosis and another 44 million have low bone mass, placing over 50 million people at increased risk of fracture. Bone density is one of those things most people do not think about until they are told it is a problem. By that point,...

Strength, independence and healthy aging are often built through the small things we do every day, including maintaining hand and grip strength. 💪

We’re proud to see experts from our partner brands helping educate people on simple ways to stay active, confident and functional as they age. In a recent feature with Fit&Well, Dr. Devin Trachman shares why grip strength matters more than many people realize—from daily tasks to fall prevention and long-term mobility.

Big changes in strength don’t always start in your legs or back — sometimes they start in your hands. 💪
Physical Therapy Central’s Dr. Devin Trachman, PT, DPT, MTC, OCS was recently featured in Fit&Well, sharing why grip strength is one of the most overlooked indicators of healthy aging, independence, and overall function. From opening jars to preventing falls, hand strength impacts more of daily life than most people realize — and the good news is, it can be improved!
Read the full article and learn the simple exercises Devin recommends to help maintain strength and confidence as we age.
ptcentral.org/blog/why-grip-strength-matters

Proud to see our partners at HPRC Physical Therapy continuing to educate patients and communities on the importance of early intervention and whole-person recovery after injury.

Recovery doesn’t always end when the accident does, and access to the right rehabilitation and musculoskeletal care at the right time can make a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes, mobility, and quality of life.

Thank you to Joe Kostuch, PT, SCS, for sharing valuable insights on the Crashes, Claims & Clarity podcast and helping raise awareness around the role rehabilitation therapy plays in restoring strength, confidence, and movement after workplace and motor vehicle injuries.

Recovery after an accident isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Pain, stiffness, and mobility issues can show up days — or even weeks — later, which is why early care matters.

Recently, HPRC’s Joe Kostuch, PT, SCS, SCCE, joined the Crashes, Claims & Clarity podcast (Burrow & Associates, LLC) to discuss what patients should know after a workplace injury or motor vehicle accident, how physical therapy supports long-term recovery, and why staying consistent with treatment can make all the difference.

From early intervention to rebuilding strength and confidence in movement, Joe shares valuable insight for anyone navigating recovery after an injury.

🎧 Watch the podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BNiqWNLeWk
📖 Read more on the HPRC blog: hprc.net/blog/when-the-real-recovery-begins/

When your child gets hurt during a game, everything stops. You’re not thinking about the score—you’re thinking about their safety.

That’s why more youth sports programs are adding physical therapists on the sidelines. From evaluating injuries in real time to helping prevent them before they happen, PTs play a key role in keeping young athletes healthy.

Learn more about why it matters 👇

Youth Sports Safety: Why Having a Physical Therapist on the Sidelines Matters | Confluent Health Youth sports safety starts on the sidelines. Learn why having a physical therapist present prevents injuries and supports safer play for young athletes.

Pain isn’t just physical, and recovery shouldn’t be either.

Research from our recent survey on MSK care and chronic pain found that 65% of people living with chronic pain report significant mental health challenges related to that pain, while 46% say pain interferes with sleep.

At Confluent Health, we believe whole-person MSK care means addressing the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of pain through movement, education, breathing strategies, sleep support, and compassionate care.

Because when people feel heard and understood, outcomes improve. And so does quality of life.

Beyond the Tissue: How Physical Therapy Supports Your Mental Health | Confluent Health As we enter May, Mental Health Awareness Month brings a much-needed focus to the internal battles many of us face. But for the millions of people living with chronic pain1, mental and emotional health are not separate conversations: they are one and the same. When physical pain begins to limit how y...