Whether you’re considering using a chiropractor for the first time, or you’re a regular visitor, you might be interested in finding out more about the profession, success rates, relevant trials and data, and the number of people who use the services of a chiropractor each year.
That’s why we’ve compiled the latest chiropractic statistics, as well as a little information about how it came to be the profession that so many of us Americans rely on every day!
History of chiropractic
The chiropractic profession was established long ago in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer who realized that though chiropractic techniques had been used for thousands of years, no one had looked at the rationale to explain their effects.
He performed his first adjustment as an established chiropractor in 1895, improving the hearing of a deaf janitor who had suffered from back pain for over 17 years.
The profession became licensed, and today there are more than 70,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States!
Did You Know?
The word ‘chiropractic’ comes from the Green words ‘cheir’ (meaning ‘hand’) and ‘praktos’ (meaning ‘done’), i.e. Done by Hand.
Fact:
Today, there are over 70,000 active chiropractors in the United States. That’s the same number of people employed by American Airlines globally!
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors use their hands to perform what are referred to as ‘manual therapies’, to treat a range of different conditions with emphasis on the spine.
They might for example look for movement between the vertebrae or analyze the whole body with touch to try and get to the source of the problem.
Since being established in 1895, chiropractic treatment has become a staple of US medical care, in fact Doctors of Chiropractic are the third largest group of doctorate level professionals in the healthcare profession, after medical doctors and dentists!
It is estimated that chiropractors treat over 27 million Americans annually, with a chiropractic adjustment being performed around 1 million times every business day in the US.
Fact:
Doctors of Chiropractic treat over 27 million Americans annually.
Fact:
Chiropractic adjustment is performed around 1 million times every business day in the US!
In fact Doctors of Chiropractic are used by all 32 National Football League Teams to deal with ongoing back and neck problems, as well as the overall conditioning of the players.
Did You Know?
Chiropractors are the 3rd largest group of doctorate level medical professionals, after medical doctors and dentists!
What is the success rate of chiropractic treatment?
Through extensive research, chiropractic statistics widely report chiropractic to be an effective treatment.
Research by The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, found that replacing a visit to a doctor with a visit to a chiropractor for back pain, could save Medicare $83.5 million every year.
A study that looked into prescribed medications vs spinal manipulation found that 56% of patients who saw a doctor saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks. But 94% of patients who underwent chiropractic treatment saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks.
In fact, another study found that 4 out of 10 Americans, will approach a chiropractor before a doctor when suffering from lower back pain!
Fact:
Replacing a visit to a doctor with a visit to a chiropractor for back pain, could save Medicare $83.5 million every year.
Fact:
56% of patients who saw a doctor, saw a 30% reduction in low back pain. But 94% of patients who underwent treatment with a chiropractor saw a 30% reduction in low back pain after 4 weeks.
How much does a chiropractor cost?
The cost of a chiropractor can vary wildly depending on the statistics you read, from $30 to around $200 per session depending largely on the state you live in and the experience of the doctor.
However, on average it is considered to cost roughly $65 per session, with an initial session normally offered at no charge.
Fact:
Total annual industry revenue for chiropractic treatment is $14 billion, the same amount Americans spend on pet supplies each year!
Is it safe to visit a chiropractor?
Overall safety advice is mixed depending on the studies and data you look at, with many varying opinions available online.
However when viewed in the context of other treatments for back pain, such as steroids, pain medication and surgery, chiropractic care has an excellent safety record.
Did You Know?
A major 2007 study in to the side effects of chiropractic treatment found that the risk of a serious adverse injury or injuries immediately or up to 7 days after treatment, was low to very low.
How do you become a chiropractor?
Doctors of Chiropractic must attend four-year doctoral graduate school programs to become nationally accredited, through a curriculum that includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinician internship, so it’s not a quick process.
Currently there are approximately 10,000 chiropractic students across the US, with 2,500 chiropractors entering the workforce each year.
It’s expected to be one of the fastest growing professions, increasing 12% from 2016 to 2026!
Did You Know?
The average chiropractor earns $68,640 per year.
Did You Know?
Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of chiropractors to grow 12% from 2016 to 2026, a faster average than many other occupations!
The post 22 Chiropractic Statistics (and Facts): Crunching the Numbers appeared first on The Good Body.
This content was originally published here.
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