21/11/2025
🌟 New Report: Understanding Musculoskeletal Pain in Our Communities
We’re excited to share the final report from the MIDAS project, a 5-year programme based in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent that worked with local people, GP practices, and NHS services to better understand everyday conditions like back pain, arthritis, and joint problems.
🧍♀️ Over 5,000 local residents took part
With their permission, we combined survey responses with NHS records to learn more about where people experience pain, who is most affected, and how services can better support them.
Key things we learned:
💡MSK pain is common—and rising since 2016
💡People in more deprived areas often have worse pain and less improvement after treatment
💡A small number of people need a lot of support from the NHS
💡New tools could help improve access, care, and self-management
Why it matters
MSK conditions are one of the biggest causes of pain, time off work, and reduced quality of life—but often overlooked. This research helps make pain visible, highlights inequalities, and supports better local services.
📍 Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their experiences.
📄 Read the full report:https://www.keele.ac.uk/media/k-web/k-research/medicine/midas-final-report.pdf
