Chiropractic Care Offers Effective Pain Relief, New Survey Finds

A recent survey of nearly 2,100 U.S. adults indicates 80% who saw a doctor of chiropractic found effective pain relief for their back or neck pain. however, the annual poll, created by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) and conducted online by the Harris Poll, also revealed most adults who experience back and neck pain opt for medications even with equally-effective drug-free methods available; two-thirds (67%) of back or neck pain sufferers have taken over-the-counter and/or prescription (30%) pain relievers to address their condition.

Chiropractic care is one of four drug-free therapies the American College of Physicians recommends for acute low back pain, with supportive studies from Optum Labs indicating chiropractic care is the most efficient first-line care, reducing costs and usage of both opioids and second- and third-line services.

Of patients with back or neck pain who went to a an MD or physician assistant (39%) , 21% were referred to a doctor of chiropractic for treatment. Among those, many were recommended prescription medication (52%), or over-the-counter medication (35%), while 68% were referred to another medical provider, including a doctor of chiropractic (21%), licensed massage therapist (15%), or acupuncturist (7%). More than three is five (42%) were referred for imaging and 16% for surgery.