Chronic back pain often persists long after an injury has healed, and neurologist Dr. Eric Anderson, Chief Medical Officer of Lin Health, is drawing attention to the brain and nervous system as central to the problem. In a new announcement, Anderson explained that central sensitization—a process where the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive to external signals—can cause pain to continue even when conventional treatments like surgery, injections, or medication have addressed the original issue. "Chronic back pain can be incredibly disruptive," Anderson said, noting that the nervous system can essentially "turn up the volume" on pain. This perspective is supported by research showing that central sensitization is the primary driver of pain in 88.3% of cases among people with chronic back and neck pain.
The implications are significant for patients who have not found relief through standard approaches. Rather than focusing solely on the area that hurts, behavioral therapies can help reduce the nervous system's heightened sensitivity and change how the brain responds to pain signals. Lin Health's virtual pain recovery program incorporates these strategies through one-on-one coaching, ongoing messaging, and self-guided digital modules and exercises. The company, which has a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot, presented new research at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pain & Neuroscience, examining outcomes among 1,620 people enrolled in its program, including 613 with a primary complaint of back pain. The ASPN Abstract reports that among participants with back pain who completed follow-up assessments, average pain intensity declined within the first month and had fallen by more than one point on a 10-point scale by the third month. Participants with other types of musculoskeletal pain also reported improvements, suggesting the approach may have broader applications.
For the many patients whose back pain persists despite conventional treatment, this announcement underscores that the source of the problem may not be limited to the back itself. Understanding how the brain and nervous system contribute to the chronic pain experience could open the door to new ways of finding relief. Lin Health's model integrates physician evaluation and clinical oversight, structured behavioral pain recovery, personalized coaching, and continuous patient engagement—an approach that aligns with clinical guidelines but is rarely implemented effectively in traditional systems due to access limitations, clinician shortages, and fragmented care pathways. By delivering scalable, affordable care that is broadly covered by insurance, Lin Health aims to bridge that gap. More information is available at Lin.Health.
