They say businesses should solve pain points, so today we’re taking that literally.
This week, we’re exploring businesses that solve for chronic pain and injuries.
Chronic pain is now the #1 global disability, but most solutions are outdated, expensive, or addictive.
That’s the gap.
In this breakdown, you’ll learn:
How to build hyper-niche solutions for work-from-home pain, phantom limb syndrome, and more.
Why tech-enabled therapies (VR, TENS, AI physio) are the next big wave.
How you can create, market, and monetize your own pain-relief venture—without needing medical credentials.
Let’s get into it.
👀 Things Worth Checking Out
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Access the internet’s largest database of business ideas - over 10,000 ideas with startup guides, growth strategies, and niche opportunities.
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⭐️ Examples
AppliedVR – FDA-Approved Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain
AppliedVR developed EaseVRx, an immersive VR program for chronic pain relief. It’s FDA-authorized and designed for use at home. Users are guided through calming environments and therapeutic exercises that reduce the brain’s perception of pain.
Their success came from combining clinical trials, a clear use case (chronic lower back pain), and a consumer-friendly, drug-free alternative.
Theranica – Wearable Migraine Relief (No Pills)
Theranica built Nerivio, an FDA-cleared armband that uses remote electrical neuromodulation to prevent and treat migraines. The wearable is controlled via a mobile app and doesn’t involve any drugs.
Their playbook? Tackle one specific condition (migraines), build trust with clinical evidence, and sell directly to patients through insurance or cash-pay models.
Kaia Health – AI-Powered Back Pain Therapy
Kaia Health offers a digital therapeutic app for musculoskeletal pain. It uses AI to guide users through physiotherapy exercises and posture training, all from home. The product targets employer healthcare plans and is now used by companies like Walmart.
Kaia succeeded by blending computer vision tech with real-world physio protocols, then selling into the exploding MSK benefits market.
What to Copy
Niche Specialization: Each startup targeted one high-pain, high-demand condition—like migraines or lower back pain—rather than trying to treat “pain” broadly.
Tech + Clinical Evidence: They leveraged emerging tech (VR, wearables, AI) but backed it with research and FDA approvals to build credibility.
Direct-to-Consumer Access: Patients can use these solutions without clinic visits—via app stores, online orders, or employer benefits—making them scalable and user-friendly.
Clear Patient Outcome: They promised (and measured) real relief—not just data collection or general wellness—building trust with users and regulators alike.
💡 Niches
Sciatic pain from prolonged sitting (WFH professionals)
“Text neck” and upper back pain in smartphone-heavy users
Gamer-related hand, wrist, and back strain
Diabetic neuropathy in aging populations
Migraine prevention for high-performance professionals
Postpartum pelvic pain and recovery
Endometriosis-related chronic pain (femtech angle)
Pain coaching for long-COVID survivors
Vestibular migraine and dizziness disorders
TMJ and jaw pain from stress/grinding
Phantom limb pain in amputees (veteran-focused niche)
Tinnitus and sensory-related discomfort
Post-surgical rehab for rural patients without clinic access
Cluster headache relief communities
Workstation ergonomics audits (for startups or remote teams)
Fibromyalgia support programs for middle-aged women
Chronic pain in young athletes
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) in desk-based workers
Menstrual pain tracking + lifestyle coaching tools
Pain relief for arthritis in underserved regions (Asia/Africa)
🏆 Key Success Factors
Start with 1 Pain Type: Focus on one high-friction, underserved pain category (e.g. “sciatic pain for remote workers” or “migraines in creative professionals”)
Validate with Real Sufferers: Interview actual pain sufferers early. Find out what they’ve tried, what’s failed, and what would actually help.
Avoid Generic Wellness: Don’t be vague—promise specific outcomes (e.g. “Reduce wrist pain by 70% in 30 days”) and tailor tools to one job-to-be-done.
Non-Drug Innovation: The appetite for non-opioid, non-invasive solutions is massive. Focus on wearables, therapy, coaching, or behaviour-based tools.
Integrate Trust Signals: Clinical backing (or partnerships with physios), testimonials, and real-world use cases will make your solution credible.
Convenience Wins: Make your product or program accessible without a clinic—DTC delivery, mobile app access, or asynchronous coaching works best.
Build in Public or Community First: Leverage Reddit threads, chronic pain Facebook groups, or “build in public” tweets to find early adopters and iterate fast.
🎬 How to Start
1. Startup Capital Needed
Lovable, Shopify or Framer for website: £10–£20/month
Typeform or Tally for pain intake survey: Free–£20/month
ConvertKit or Beehiiv for email list: Free–£30/month
Stripe or Lemon Squeezy for payments: Free to set up
Optional: User Interviews or HelloTherapist for expert validation – £0–£50 (per session)
Total: £30–£100/month
2. MVP = 1 Pain Type, 1 Format
Pick one specific pain (e.g. posture-induced lower back pain)
Build a simple resource: a PDF guide, 3-part video course, or 1-on-1 coaching offer
Validate with a 5-question intake form and direct outreach to sufferers
3. First Sales Tactics
DM people in chronic pain Reddit/Facebook groups with free resource offers
Cold email physios or chiropractors to offer affiliate-style partnerships
Run a quiz funnel: “What’s Causing Your Neck Pain?” + email follow-up
Ask on Twitter: “What’s the weirdest pain you’ve had working from home?” and link your tool
List your solution on niche directories or DTC product roundups (e.g. Thingtesting, Product Hunt Health)
4. Revenue Benchmarks
£500/month = 25 info product sales or 5–10 coaching clients
£2,000/month = Bundle programs with subscription plans or sell kits (e.g. brace + guide)
£5,000+/month = Build a membership community, partner with clinics, or license content to therapists
5. When to Productize
After 10+ paying customers and repeat testimonials
Build a structured course or app around proven pain relief steps
Automate onboarding and offer tiered pricing (self-serve vs 1:1 help)
Add upsells: supplements, wearables, or coaching calls
🛠 How to Build
1. Research & Discovery
Interview people experiencing your chosen pain type (sciatic, migraine, wrist strain, etc.)
Join relevant communities (e.g. Facebook groups, Reddit, Discords)
Use tools like User Interviews or Pollfish to survey symptoms, failed solutions, and willingness to pay
2. Design a Simple Solution
Start with what’s easiest to deliver:
PDF guide (e.g. “10 stretches to reduce tech neck”)
3–5 pre-recorded videos with exercises
1-on-1 consult/coaching (live via Zoom or async via Loom)
Bonus: create a quiz or pain-intake form to personalize suggestions
3. Test & Iterate
Build a basic landing page with a clear pain outcome (e.g. “Relieve chronic lower back pain in 14 days—without pills”)
Offer a beta version to 5–10 users at a discounted rate in exchange for feedback/testimonials
Improve based on pain reduction, engagement, and trust signals
4. Add Tech or Scale Later
Once validated, expand delivery using tools like Kajabi, Teachable, or Memberstack
Introduce AI or motion-tracking (via APIs) for personalised treatment paths
Partner with therapists or doctors for credibility and joint ventures
🚀 How to Grow
Launch a TikTok or YouTube Shorts channel with daily pain relief tips
Post before/after stories and testimonials on Instagram or LinkedIn
Start a newsletter like “Pain Hack Weekly” to build an email audience
Answer questions in Reddit and Facebook groups for chronic pain or specific conditions
Run a quiz funnel (“What’s Causing Your Pain?”) to drive leads
Offer free webinars or Zoom workshops for remote workers or athletes
Partner with physical therapists for referrals or bundled offers
Pitch pain-related content to health-focused newsletters and influencers
Run targeted cold email campaigns to companies with remote staff
Join podcasts or Twitter Spaces on health, wellness, or startup topics
Offer a “Pain Relief Starter Kit” as a lead magnet on your site
Build a private community (Slack/Discord) for ongoing engagement
Launch on Product Hunt or Thingtesting if you’re building a DTC product
Collect reviews on Trustpilot or video testimonials for social proof
Bundle with ergonomic products or health trackers for co-marketing
👀 Things Worth Checking Out
Find Your Next Million-Dollar Idea with 43 proven frameworks to help you generate profitable business ideas on demand.
Access the internet’s largest database of business ideas - over 10,000 ideas with startup guides, growth strategies, and niche opportunities.
The best businesses solve specific problems, so we created a database with hundreds of problems begging for a solution.
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