New Guideline for Nonpharmacological Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

More than 20% of American adults experience pain on most or all days. A new APA clinical practice guideline for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain focuses on the best current evidence for psychological and behavioral treatments for these conditions. This article outlines why psychological treatments are an important component of addressing chronic musculoskeletal pain and lists the treatments viewed as having a strong evidence base while simultaneously examining the reasons that the research is limited in this area. Copyright 2025.

After reading the CE Corner article, you will be asked to complete a “Commitment-to-Change” (CTC) exercise. The CTC exercise is designed to help facilitate the translation of your learning into practice. Completion of the CTC is required prior to the completion of the CE Test based on the APA Monitor CE Corner article.

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Explain why psychological treatments are an important component of addressing chronic musculoskeletal pain.
• List the treatments judged to have a strong evidence base for improving physical functioning and performance in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
• Discuss the reasons that the research base is limited and why the guideline may exclude effective treatment.

Stephanie Pappas