Substantial Utilization of Chiropractic Care and Positive Outcomes Among U.S. Adults

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – January 9, 2018 -The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a leading
voice in the chiropractic profession, points to an analysis of a national survey recently published in the
journal, SPINE. This analysis examines the prevalence, patterns and predictors of chiropractic utilization in the
U.S. general population, and reports a substantial proportion of U.S. adults utilized chiropractic services with
positive outcomes for overall well-being and/or specific health problems.
Sherry McAllister, executive vice president, F4CP, says, “This is further validation of the growing utilization of
chiropractic care nationwide, and reaffirms our commitment to providing Americans with drug-free pain
management options. Chiropractic care provides a safe, first-line approach to manage spine and joint-related
pain before opioids.”
Based on an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the principal and reliable source of
comprehensive health care, the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of chiropractic use were 24.0 percent and
8.4 percent, respectively.
Key Findings:
• There is a growing trend of chiropractic use among U.S. adults from 2002 to 2012.
• Back pain (63 percent) and neck pain (30.2 percent) were the most prevalent health problems for
chiropractic consultations.
• The majority of users reported chiropractic helping a great deal with their health problem and improving
overall health or well-being.
Reasons to use chiropractic included:
• For general wellness or general disease prevention (43.3 percent)
• To improve energy (16.3 percent)
• To improve athletic or sports performance (15.4 percent)
• To improve immune function (11.4 percent)
Chiropractic users also reported changes:
• Provide a sense of control over health (32.5 percent)
• Help to reduce stress level or to relax (40.2 percent)
• Help to sleep better (41.9 percent)
• Help to feel better emotionally (27.4 percent)
• Improve overall health and make you feel better (66.9 percent)
The 2012 NHIS survey it the most recent source providing data on the use of complementary health care
approaches by adults in the United States.