Latest articles
Fresh healthcare insights
Endometriosis: Shedding Light on the Invisible Illness
Endometriosis care is one of the most urgent but often overlooked needs in women’s health. Millions live with symptoms for years before they receive a diagnosis, let alone effective care. The condition is common and complex, yet stigma, gender bias, and delays in diagnosis leave many people coping silently. The stakes are high. Chronic pelvic pain, infertility, missed work, mental health challenges, and mounting medical costs all converge to make endometriosis a significant health and economic issue. On top of this, treatment pathways are fragmented, requiring people to navigate multiple specialists and therapies. This is why comprehensive endometriosis care matters. It is not only about easing physical pain, but also restoring quality of life, preserving productivity, and reducing the long-term burden on individuals and families.
October 24, 2025 • 8 min read
Jennesa Atherton
The connection between MSK pain & mental health
Clinical studies have long demonstrated a strong association between chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and depression. Patients who suffer from chronic pain are more likely to be depressed, and patients with depression are more likely to report symptoms of chronic pain.1 This vicious cycle results in increased medical spend and decreased productivity, making MSK pain and mental health top concerns for employers. Affecting as many as 1 in 2 adult Americans, MSK conditions are the top driver of healthcare costs for 76% of large employers, according to the Business Group on Health’s survey of benefit leaders.
October 24, 2025 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
How to evaluate and select the best digital MSK vendors
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are one of the most expensive and under-addressed cost centers facing U.S. healthcare providers. MSK disorders affect 1 in 2 Americans and cost over $190 billion per year, more than heart disease, cancer, or mental health conditions. For employers and health plans, MSK claims are often among the top 3 cost drivers. And for members, chronic pain reduces quality of life, drives absenteeism, and often leads to costly downstream interventions. That’s why digital MSK solutions have surged in popularity. The promise is compelling: better access, which drives stronger engagement, delivers better outcomes, and therefore lowers overall healthcare costs.
October 24, 2025 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy
When recovering from an injury, managing pain, or adjusting to a new physical limitation, finding the right type of care is essential. Two approaches that often come up in this process are occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). While you often hear the terms OT and PT and they may seem similar, both serve distinct purposes and can support different aspects of your health and recovery. Understanding the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy can help you make a more informed, confident decision about your care. We’ll break down how each therapy works, what goals they focus on, when each might be needed, and how to decide which one is right for you.
October 24, 2025 • 10 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
How Digital Physical Therapy Improves Employee Retention
Did you know that fear of pain can be more disabling than pain itself? Chronic pain and employee turnover prevention are critically linked, but with the right MSK benefits coverage, employers can help their team members recover from pain to increase workplace productivity. Nearly 28% of people in the workplace will take leave for MSK pain over the course of a year. Patients who suffer the two most common conditions of low back and neck pain have an average return to work of 7 days. Overall, MSK conditions are responsible for 44 missed work days each year on average.
October 24, 2025 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
What is Digital Physical Therapy?
If you live with joint, muscle, or back pain, you’re not alone. More than half of American adults experience musculoskeletal (MSK) pain each year¹. But getting care isn’t always simple. Finding the time to schedule physical therapy appointments, drive to a clinic, and stay consistent with youyr care plan can be difficult, especially if you are juggling work and family commitments. Digital physical therapy changes that. It brings expert care directly to you through technology, making it easier to get the help you need to feel better, move freely, and get back to the things you love. Digital physical therapy is physical therapy delivered through technology. Programs which offer physical therapists maintain all the same clinical rigor as an in-clinic program, and in fact, digital PT gives patients greater flexibility and freedom when finding help for their pain via computer, phone, or tablet.
October 24, 2025 • 8 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Nighttime Joint Pain: 7 Science-Backed Fixes to Sleep Better
You’ve powered through the day. Work, errands, life, only to collapse into bed and… ouch. Your joints have other plans. As nighttime comes, your hips stiffen, knees ache, and that nagging lower back pain flares like clockwork. You’re exhausted, but sleep feels miles away. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. For 50% of adults with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain face this frustrating cycle of “painsomnia,” where joint pain at night and poor sleep feed each other. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s break down why joint pain and throbbing can be worse at night . You will get actionable, expert-backed fixes to help you reclaim rest. Patients with MSK pain often note that their discomfort is worse at night. People often report throbbing pain in their joints at night, arthritis hurts more at night, bones ache more at night, and even that joints ache when waking up just after sleep. But why?
October 24, 2025 • 11 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Enroll in Sword Bloom, expert-guided pelvic care from home
Pelvic floor symptoms are common. But that doesn’t make them normal or something you should just live with. Bloom can help you recover and heal. Bladder leakage. Pain during sex. Pressure you can’t explain. These aren’t things you casually bring up in conversation, and too often, they’re not taken seriously when you do. That’s why Bloom exists. Sword Bloom gives you expert-guided care delivered with privacy and 24/7 access, all from the comfort of home. No referrals. No awkward exams. No “just do some Kegels and see what happens.”
October 24, 2025 • 5 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Ultimate employee benefits guide
Employee benefits aren’t just perks. In 2025, they’re a strategic lever. With rising healthcare costs, increased workforce expectations, and the permanent shift toward hybrid work, your benefits strategy isn’t just a retention tool. If you can offer the best employee benefits in your industry, you send a strong message to potential candidates (and to your existing team members). This demonstrates your company values and your bottom line. A strong employee benefits plan signals care, financial strength, and a commitment to invest in your team. A forward-looking benefits plan is a competitive advantage. It influences recruiting outcomes, impacts employee health and productivity, and shapes how your organization is perceived. We want to help you understand the full landscape of a modern benefits plan including what’s most common, and emerging trends. But what really matters is attracting and retaining top talent. This guide will focus on the most cost-effective benefits to achieve that organizational goal.
October 24, 2025 • 19 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Acute vs Chronic MSK Conditions
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are one of the most common causes of disability, lost productivity, and pain. In fact, the majority of adults will develop an MSK issue at some point in their lives. Whether acute or chronic, it’s important to treat MSK pain promptly and properly before the condition worsens and leads to even more serious problems (and bigger medical expenses) later on. Some physical therapy solutions are designed to address only chronic MSK conditions. At Sword Health, we believe acute MSK pain needs to be taken as seriously as chronic disorders. Supporting members at every stage of their healing journey helps them stay healthy and helps companies to control healthcare spend. In this article, we’ll learn about the difference between acute and chronic MSK disorders, and explain how physical therapy can help achieve better outcomes.
October 23, 2025 • 7 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
GLP-1 employer healthcare costs: lower spend with better outcomes
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are transforming how employers approach obesity care. Once reserved for diabetes patients, these drugs are now widely prescribed for weight loss. GLP-1 drugs do deliver on their promise of improved cardiometabolic outcomes. Simply, these medications do help users lose weight. But for health plans and employers, the real challenge goes beyond pharmacy claims. The bigger risk is in the hidden costs that accumulate over time when GLP-1 treatment is not paired with sustainable lifestyle changes. Without movement programs to protect lean muscle and build healthy habits, employers may face a second wave of musculoskeletal (MSK) claims, re-prescriptions, and long-term disability costs. GLP-1 users often don’t develop the behaviour change needed to sustain weight loss over time. Also, lean muscle mass is often lost during GLP-1 use which leaves people at increased risk of musculoskeletal (MSK) issues as a result of lower strength and stability levels.
October 23, 2025 • 8 min read
Morgan Hollis, MS, RDN
Everything You Need to Know About Acute Pain and Injury
If you’ve ever had questions about acute injuries, you’ve come to the right place. This article is your expert guide to acute injuries (and the pain that goes along with them). We’ll go over: Imagine yourself on a hike. You’re on a beautiful but rocky trail. You take a step, your foot lands awkwardly, and you roll your ankle. Immediately you feel pain, but after a few minutes you can put weight on it and finish your walk. Later that night, your ankle feels stiff, sore, and looks a bit swollen. Rolling your ankle is an example of an acute injury. An acute injury is one that happens quickly, usually due to a specific incident. The pain you feel when an injury happens is called acute pain. This is a new pain that develops quickly, over a short period of time.
October 22, 2025 • 12 min read
Sword Editorial Team
For employers
Workplace health advice
How Digital Physical Therapy Improves Employee Retention
Did you know that fear of pain can be more disabling than pain itself? Chronic pain and employee turnover prevention are critically linked, but with the right MSK benefits coverage, employers can help their team members recover from pain to increase workplace productivity. Nearly 28% of people in the workplace will take leave for MSK pain over the course of a year. Patients who suffer the two most common conditions of low back and neck pain have an average return to work of 7 days. Overall, MSK conditions are responsible for 44 missed work days each year on average.
October 24, 2025 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
How to evaluate and select the best digital MSK vendors
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are one of the most expensive and under-addressed cost centers facing U.S. healthcare providers. MSK disorders affect 1 in 2 Americans and cost over $190 billion per year, more than heart disease, cancer, or mental health conditions. For employers and health plans, MSK claims are often among the top 3 cost drivers. And for members, chronic pain reduces quality of life, drives absenteeism, and often leads to costly downstream interventions. That’s why digital MSK solutions have surged in popularity. The promise is compelling: better access, which drives stronger engagement, delivers better outcomes, and therefore lowers overall healthcare costs.
October 24, 2025 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Reduce MSK costs with more effective digital MSK care plans
You’ve likely seen numerous digital health solutions that promise to lower medical spend. You’ve probably zeroed in on the top conditions with significant digital solutions in the marketplace: musculoskeletal (MSK), mental health, and diabetes. For most companies, prioritizing MSK care over other digital health solutions will drive the biggest benefits for your employees and your bottom line when it comes to savings. Given the multitude of vendors, platforms, and solutions available, prioritization can be a daunting task. How do you choose from among the thousands of digital health tools? What combination of condition focus and solution selection will drive the best outcomes for your population and the biggest return for your business?
October 24, 2025 • 5 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Tackling the #1 driver of employers’ health costs: MSK
The phrase ‘musculoskeletal disorder’ may not ring a bell — but the feeling might. The term refers to any type of pain in the muscles or joints, from chronic pain to injuries to post-surgical pain. Many of us have suffered from a musculoskeletal (MSK) issue at some point in our lives. In fact, one in two Americans is struggling with an MSK condition right now. And it’s causing economic ripples, especially in the workplace.
January 20, 2020 • 6 min read
Sword Editorial Team
Expert guidance
From the experts: Ask a physical therapist
Ask a PT: when is the best time to do my exercises?
Before I joined Sword Health, I worked in brick-and-mortar clinics. I never worked weekends, and rarely worked past 6 pm. My schedule was great...for me. But for my patients, it was a real challenge. Attending a physical therapy appointment might require leaving work early or slipping out at lunch. Even patients with more flexible schedules would sometimes lament about finding childcare or arranging transportation. A thirty-minute appointment could easily take an hour or even 90 minutes once travel was taken into account. When I was in a clinic, the “best” time for a patient to do their exercises was the time that worked for me, not for them. Sword's virtual model gives our members the power to do their exercises when AND where it's most convenient for them. Now that I work remotely for Sword, I’m able to help our members figure out the best time to do their exercises at home. Now, when my members ask me when they should do their exercises, I tell them - the best time is when you’ll actually do them!
February 11, 2021 • 6 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Ask a PT: Does walking really help with pain?
If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines of a sporting event, you’ve likely witnessed many falls, trips and tackles. Whether the players are small children or professional athletes, the advice from the coach may have simply been to “walk it off.” While that is not always the best solution after an acute injury, walking can be a really effective way to manage chronic pain. Motion is lotion. Movement increases blood flow, which brings nutrients to our tissues. It also helps those that don’t have blood flow, like cartilage. Cartilage lines our joints, absorbing impact. It’s surrounded by a liquid which provides it with nutrients, flowing in and out of it like a sponge. Exercise, like walking, causes loading that fills and squeezes that sponge, particularly in the joints of our legs and spine.
August 13, 2020 • 5 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Ask a PT: What Is Causing My Shoulder Pain?
When your shoulder hurts, it can be difficult to tell exactly what’s gone wrong. You’ve probably heard of pinched nerves and rotator cuff tears. Perhaps you’ve also heard about shoulders being ‘impinged’ or ‘frozen.’ It’s not easy to keep these various shoulder conditions straight, especially when they all cause similar pain symptoms. The first step towards fixing a problem is identifying it. This article, written by a team of Doctors of Physical Therapy, is designed to help you figure out what’s causing your shoulder pain — so you can begin the process of healing it. We will dive into the five most common causes of shoulder pain and how to differentiate them. Cervical refers to the neck, and radiculopathy is pain that radiates to another body part. Hence, cervical radiculopathy: a pinched nerve in the neck, which can cause radiating pain affecting the shoulder. It occurs when the cervical spine becomes damaged due to sudden injury or degeneration over time, and squeezes or puts pressure on a nearby nerve.
November 1, 2023 • 6 min read
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Healthcare contributors
Meet Sword's expert authors
Dr. Vijay Yanamadala, MD, MBA, FAANS
Chief Medical Officer at Sword Health
Dr. Fernando Correia, M.D.
SVP Clinical & Regulatory Affairs at Sword Health
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Director, Clinical Specialists
Morgan Hollis, MS, RDN
Head of Clinical Strategy, Sword Move
Jennesa Atherton
Head of Clinical Affairs, Sword Bloom
Liz Santo
Senior Clinical Program Manager, Sword Bloom ·
