More adults than originally thought are seeking help from chiropractors, according to a new nationwide Gallup report.
In 2014, according to the just-released “Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Inaugural Report: Americans’ Perceptions of Chiropractic,” 33.6 million Americans aged 18 and older turned to chiropractic care to relieve conditions associated with back and neck pain.
That’s about 63 percent more than the 20.6 million adults previously estimated in various (less comprehensive) studies, and likely indicates that the “chiropractic first” movement — trumpeted by health experts troubled by the overuse of addictive drugs — has become increasingly popular.
“Americans who have exposure to chiropractors are more likely to have an opinion of them, and in general those opinions are positive,” Gallup concluded in its findings.
Among other key points:
• While most patients head to a doctor of chiropractic only when they’re in pain, 31 percent of adults who have been treated within the last five years say they prefer regular visits — regardless of whether they’re hurting.
• Those under age 50 are likelier to say a chiropractor would be their first choice for treating back or neck pain.
• So “strongly committed” are recent patients that they averaged 11 visits in the last 12 months.
“This groundbreaking report shows Americans are embracing chiropractic as an alternative to other costly and invasive treatments,” says the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Sherry McAllister, DC.
In fact, today’s chiropractors — with a minimum of seven years of higher education, including clinical patient management — are consulted for pain relief, increased flexibility, injury prevention and advice on healthy living.
