U.S. External Analgesics Market Size to Surpass USD 12.27 BN by 2034
The U.S. external analgesics market size was exhibited at USD 3.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 12.27 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 4.02 Billion |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 12.27 Billion |
| Growth Rate From 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 13.2% |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025-2034 |
| Segments Covered | Product, Distribution Channel |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Key Companies Profiled | Baxter; Boston Scientific Corporation; Enovis; Medtronic; ICU Medical Inc.; Abbott; Stryker; Nevro Corp.; OMRON Healthcare, Inc. |
The market is driven by the increasing incidence of chronic & lifestyle diseases, rising incidence of muscle pain & strain due to sports and recreational activities, leading to a higher demand for external analgesics. In addition, growing investments from private and government organizations in pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D activities for developing analgesic products are expected to influence market growth positively.
The growing incidence of chronic disorders is main factor contributing to the market growth. The increasing incidence of lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity and diabetes has led to a higher need for muscle & nerve stimulators. For instance, according to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, diabetes affects a significant portion of the U.S. population, affecting 37.3 million individuals, equivalent to 11.3% of the population, have diabetes. Patients tend to have diabetic neuropathy, making the disease one of the primary reasons for using electrical stimulators devices such as TENS Devices. In addition, rising incidence of sports accidents or equipment exercise injuries in sports is also driving the market growth. For instance, in 2022 the National Safety Council (NSC), highlighted that the exercise equipment injuries accounted for about total 445,642 injuries in the U.S., the most number of in sports and recreation category.
The growing geriatric population suffering from incurable health issues, such as joint pain, muscle pain, migraines, and muscle strains has accelerated the demand for pain treatment therapies.In 2022, according to migraine epidemiology by gender, migraines are more frequent in women, with 17.0% of women reporting a migraine attack compared to 6.0% of men, every year. This demand has led to the utilization of various types of pain-relief medications, consequently driving market expansion in the various regions.
The incidence of musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, orthopedic degenerative disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis, is significantly increasing. For instance, in June 2024 according to data published by CDC, about 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., totaling around 53.2 million individuals, are affected by some form of arthritis. Among the various types of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed arthritis, accounting for more than 32.5 million individuals in the country. In January 2024, according to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the number of people aged 65 and above is expected to reach 82 million in 2050 (a 47% growth) from nearly 58 million in 2022, which accounts nearly for 23% share of the country’s population.
The rising number in population susceptible to arthritis, which together drives the demand for external analgesics in treatment of chronic pain caused due to mild or severe arthritis. For instance, according to Arthritis & Rheumatology, around 78 million adults are expected to be diagnosed with arthritis by 2040 in the U.S. This has fueled the demand for pain management stimulators to help manage chronic pain. In addition, the demand for reduced hospital stays is increasing in the U.S., consequently, there is a growing focus on shifting certain treatments and services from inpatient to outpatient settings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on the management of chronic pain and the U.S. market. The reduction of non-urgent procedures and the closure of specialty pain management centers disrupted patient care and increased home-based device usage which impacted the market growth. The shift toward telehealth and the increased demand for self-medication have influenced the choice of pain management methods, with medications gaining prominence over devices. Supply chain disruptions, e-commerce growth, and regulatory changes have also shaped the market landscape.
The hot/cold products segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 58.3% in 2024 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Growth of the segment can be attributed to its effectiveness in providing relief for a wide range of pain conditions. Adoption of hot and cold therapies has increased in the long-term treatment of chronic pain diseases, such as arthritis, lower back pain, and others. The hot/cold product segment also has the advantage of being non-invasive and easy to use, making hot/cold products a convenient pain management solution for individuals seeking non-pharmacological approaches. With the growing demand for natural and self-directed pain management solutions, hot/cold products are expected to continue to dominate the U.S. market.
The kinesiology tape (KT) segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. It is a specialized adhesive tape that has gained significant popularity in the field of sports medicine and rehabilitation. KT is made from elastic cotton fabric with a wave-like acrylic adhesive, mimicking the properties of human skin. It further proves beneficial in alleviating both temporary and persistent pain, particularly in instances where the discomfort exceeds the expected severity of an injury. This versatile tape helps reduce swelling and inflammation, accelerates healing from bruises and contusions, and provides relief from muscle contractions and cramps.
Based on distribution channel, the retail/ brick & mortar segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 72.0% in 2024. This dominance is attributable to the established presence of physical stores that sell over-the-counter pain relief products for external use. In 2022, according to a report by Forbes, for the first time, traditional brick and mortar stores demonstrated a faster growth rate compared to e-commerce, with a 18.5% increase in physical store sales, while e-commerce expanded by 14.2%. Although this 14.2% growth is slightly higher than the usual annual growth rate, it is lower than in comparison to the 31.8% surge experienced by online retail in the previous year. Brick-and-mortar stores can adapt to local market trends and customer preferences more quickly than online retailers, which is one of the key factor for segment large market share.
The e-commerce segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Owing to the increasing adoption of e-commerce and the growth of online sales, retailers are now exploring omni-channel strategies to enhance their reach and better cater to the evolving needs and preferences of consumers. E-commerce allows analgesic manufacturers and retailers to reach a broader customer base beyond their local area, making their products accessible to a larger audience. E-commerce platforms allow customers to share their experiences and opinions about analgesic products, helping others make informed purchasing decisions.
This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the U.S. external analgesics market
By Product
By Distribution Channel
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