Bridging the Pain Gap: Communications Lessons from the Evolving Pain Management Landscape
Axios recently hosted a panel discussion, “The Current State of Pain: Conversations on Today’s Treatment Landscape,” in New York. Pain is not just a symptom. It can be a life-altering force that can derail careers, ruin relationships, and destroy quality of life. Staying at the forefront of pain research and treatment is critical and urgent. For members of our Bliss Healthcare practice who were able to attend, we found that Axios’ event shined a spotlight on the complex realities of pain management today.
As Healthcare PR professionals, we often navigate evolving policies, medical advancements, and shifting public perception while also protecting and elevating brand reputation. This event was a powerful reminder of the dynamic landscape we operate in and the critical role we play within it. We are not just communicators, but connectors, educators, and advocates who leverage PR strategy bridge the gap between science, policy, and the people and communities these issues impact.
Here are five takeaways from the event that resonated deeply with our team and have the power to shape our communications strategies:
- The Power of Patient Voice
The impact of pain is most powerfully told by a person who has lived the experience, sharing firsthand accounts of gaps in care, misinformation, and persistent stigma. As communicators, we know these stories are more than just anecdotes; they are truths that can move audiences and influence change. Whether we’re building a campaign or preparing a media pitch, centering on real people creates resonance – especially when many of those working to effect change have seen the impact firsthand.
- Don’t Shy Away from Complexity—Clarify it With Strategic Healthcare Communications
Pain is deeply personal, but managing it is a public challenge and one that is extremely political. In healthcare communications, our role is to distill that complexity into messaging and education that is both accessible and grounded in evidence.
This is especially vital for biopharma and medtech companies leading innovation in this space. Clear, empathetic communication isn’t just good healthcare PR, it’s responsible leadership.
- Spotlight Innovation, Responsibly
From novel non-opioid medications to integrative therapies like physical medicine and cognitive behavioral techniques, innovation is everywhere in pain care.
But introducing a new solution requires more than a press release. Communications leaders must translate science into narratives that convey not only what is available or in the pipeline, but also why it’s meaningful to providers, patients, and payers.
- Engage with Policy—and Make It Personal through Healthcare PR
Public policy was a recurring theme of the event, whether it’s access to care, funding for research, or how the FDA classifies medications. Healthcare communications can’t live in a vacuum. Advocacy messaging should be rooted in the human impact of legislation. The more we personalize the policy conversation, the more likely it is to break through.
- Collaboration is the Futureof Healthcare Communications
The event made clear that the most effective pain care is multidisciplinary, built around a collaborative model. The same should be true for communications. Agencies, providers, patient groups, and policymakers must work together to shape consistent, compelling narratives. For agencies like ours, this opens the door to forge partnerships that don’t just raise awareness but drive change and move our society forward.
Looking Ahead
Pain is universal, but progress is uneven. Advancing meaningful change requires communication that is not only thoughtful and inclusive, but also strategically aligned to drive understanding, engagement, and action. As our healthcare PR and communications team continues to partner with healthcare innovators from start-ups to advocacy coalitions, we’re keeping these lessons close. Together, we can help build a future where every story and every treatment has the power to heal.
By Janice Miller
Photo by Kaboompics.com via Pexels
