More Americans are opting to seek help from chiropractors, according to a new nationwide report, “Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Inaugural Report: Americans’ Perceptions of Chiropractic.”
In 2014, the report found just over 33 million Americans aged 18 and older turned to chiropractic care to relieve conditions associated with neck and back pain. That likely indicates that the “chiropractic first” movement — touted 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:
• Although most patients go to a doctor of chiropractic 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 50 years of age are likelier to say a chiropractor would be their first choice for treating neck or back pain.
• Those patients who prefer chiropractors over their primary care physicians for joint pain 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 truth, today’s chiropractors — with a minimum of seven years of higher education, including clinical patient management — are questioned about pain relief, increased flexibility, injury prevention and advice on healthy living.
