Chronic back pain often persists after an injury has healed or underlying structural issues have been addressed, and neurologist Dr. Eric Anderson, Chief Medical Officer of Lin Health, is drawing attention to the role the brain and nervous system play in this phenomenon. Known as central sensitization, the process occurs when the nervous system becomes increasingly sensitive to external signals and essentially turns up the volume on pain. "Chronic back pain can be incredibly disruptive," Anderson said. "And sometimes pain continues after an injury has healed or the original problem has been addressed. This can happen when the nervous system has become increasingly sensitive to external signals, and its response is to essentially turn up the volume on pain."
The implications for patients are significant. Central sensitization can explain why some people continue to experience pain despite surgery, injections, medication, or other conventional treatments. In one study of people with chronic back and neck pain, researchers identified central sensitization as the primary driver of pain in 88.3% of cases. That finding suggests that for many patients, the source of the problem may not be limited to the back itself, opening the door to alternative approaches that target the nervous system rather than solely the site of pain.
Anderson notes that behavioral therapies can help reduce the nervous system's heightened sensitivity and change how the brain responds to signals, and subsequently the pain experience generated by the brain. Rather than focusing solely on the area that hurts, these approaches help patients better understand their symptoms and develop new ways to respond to pain. 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 holds a 4.9 rating on Trustpilot, was founded in 2021 and partners with leading health systems such as Mayo Clinic to deliver multidisciplinary care addressing the biological, behavioral, and social drivers of chronic conditions.
New research presented by Lin Health at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pain & Neuroscience examined outcomes among 1,620 people enrolled in the company's program, including 613 whose primary complaint was back pain. The findings are detailed in an ASPN Abstract and a Full Study Poster. 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.
For the broader health care industry, the research adds to the evidence that treatments targeting how the nervous system processes pain can help patients find relief. Lin Health's model integrates physician evaluation and clinical oversight, structured behavioral pain recovery, personalized coaching and care plans, and continuous patient engagement. The company says this approach aligns with clinical guidelines but is rarely implemented effectively in traditional systems due to access limitations, clinician shortages, and fragmented care pathways. Targeting the nervous system is described as highly effective but inaccessible to most patients and clinicians because it is high-touch and not yet included in standard medical training. By delivering scalable, affordable care that is broadly covered by insurance, Lin Health aims to bridge that gap and produce measurable outcomes. More information is available at Lin.Health.
