Chinese herbal medicine for chronic pain: a bibliometric analysis based on integrated databases (2011–2024)

Background Chronic pain has become an increasingly prevalent issue in primary care. Current management in modern medicine for chronic pain often remains unsatisfactory. Chinese herbal medicine has gained growing recognition as a complementary approach. However, there is still a lack of methodical bibliometric analysis in this field. This study aims to review the research landscape, assess the current state of research, and explore prospects through a bibliometric analysis of Chinese herbal medicine for chronic pain in primary care. Methods Relevant literature published between 2011 and 2024 was retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded within the Web of Science Core Collection for this primary bibliometric analysis. Additionally, clinical trials from the PubMed database were selected to evaluate clinical research progress. Visualization tools, including CiteSpace and VOSviewer, were employed to analyze journals, institutions, keywords, publication trends, keyword bursts, and reference bursts. The entire research process adhered to the BIBLIO checklist. Results A total of 471 publications were included in the analysis, indicating a steady annual increase in research on Chinese herbal medicine for chronic pain. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology was identified as the most frequently cited and co-cited journal. High-output institutions were primarily located in China’s developed coastal regions. A total of 2,882 researchers contributed to these studies, with Lu Aiping identified as the most prolific author. Current research hotspots focus on chronic pain associated with arthritis and cancer. Network pharmacology and molecular docking have emerged as key methodologies. Notably, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f Sophora flavescens Aiton, Conioselinum anthriscoides “Chuanxiong,” and Paeonia lactiflora Pall were among the most studied herbs. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine represent a major research frontier. In clinical research, key focus areas include methodological refinement, real-world evidence studies, clinical trials on cancer pain, and comparative and integrative approaches combining Chinese herbal medicine with modern medical management. Conclusion The study provides a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the current status and research hotspots in the field, offering valuable insights for future investigations. The findings highlight the growing academic interest and increasing international recognition of Chinese herbal medicine in this field within primary care settings.