Public Opinion
According to a recent Gallup Report (1), 33. 6 million U.S. adults seek chiropractic care each year. More than half of all U.S. adults have visited a chiropractor, and more than a quarter would choose chiropractic care first for the back or neck pain. 3 out of 5 Americans believe chiropractic care to be effective and are likely to see a chiropractic physician for neck or back pain. See the full Gallup Report here.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
A study by a major insurer, UnitedHealthCare/Optum, showed that one out of every four patients sought medical care for musculoskeletal conditions (ailments of the muscles or joints), and almost half of those were for spinal pain. They further stated that, “back pain is the most common physical condition for which patients visit their doctor.” The insurance company found that chiropractic care was one of the most cost effective courses of treatment available for these musculoskeletal conditions. (3, 4) See the UHC/Optum Study here.
A similar BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee study showed that “care initiated with a [Doctor of Chiropractic] were 20% less expensive than episodes initiated with an [Medical Doctor]” when it came to the treatment of back pain. (5)
Get Back to Health Faster
A patient receiving regular chiropractic care experiences reduced hospital admissions, surgeries, and pharmaceutical costs. Through chiropractic care, patients saw a 60% decrease in hospital admissions, days, and surgeries. They also saw an 85% decrease in pharmaceutical costs. (2)
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“Reduced odds of surgery were observed for…those whose first provider was a chiropractor. 42.7% of workers [with back injuries] who first saw a surgeon had surgery, in contrast to only 1.5% of those who saw a chiropractor.” (6)
“Cervical spine manipulation was associated with significant improvement in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache.” (12)
“Many treatments are available for low back pain. Often exercises and physical therapy can help. Some people benefit from chiropractic therapy or acupuncture.” (13)
You can find more research here that includes information on the following: public opinion, reduction in costs, outcomes and efficacy, and prevalence.