Today, a growing number of people are seeking a chiropractor in addition to—or even in place of—a traditional medical doctor. As chiropractic care continues to grow in popularity as a non-invasive treatment for a broad range of illnesses and injuries, it is also proving to be the choice of many who want to take steps now to enhance their health and to prevent the future onset of disease.
The Demand for Chiropractic Care
Not only is chiropractic care becoming increasingly accepted as an effective method of treatment for a number of medical conditions, the consumer demand for more expansive chiropractic treatments is growing. While it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people are looking to chiropractic care for musculoskeletal conditions, there are still many who do not realize the impact that chiropractic care can have on overall health and well-being. Chiropractic care has been shown to be highly effective for relieving pain and restoring function, but it can do so much more!
The Focus on Holistic Care and Wellness for the Future
In many instances, people seek out chiropractors as part of their larger healthcare team, often to enhance medical treatments they are receiving or to provide a more holistic approach. Within today’s universe of complementary and alternative medicine, chiropractic is the type of non-allopathic healthcare service chosen most often by patients. Changes to health insurance that expand coverage for chiropractic services have also helped make these services more accessible to larger numbers of people.
The fact that chiropractic physicians work closely with their patients to build healthy lifestyle habits—principally in the areas of exercise, nutrition, sleep and stress management—appeals to a large segment of the population that has grown skeptical of “sickness care” and is interested in taking a more active role in their own health and well-being. And this trend is clear outside the U.S. as well. A recent survey of Australian chiropractic patients cited by researchers in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics highlights just one of the important reasons people choose chiropractic care in the first place. Of 486 patients receiving care at 96 clinics, 92% EITHER AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED that chiropractic care helped them take more responsibility for their own health.
In terms of the specific health and wellness goals that motivated surveyed patients to seek out a chiropractor, most were related to musculoskeletal issues (69%) or general health (21%). A relatively small minority visited their chiropractor about headaches or non-musculoskeletal conditions.
The Growing Attraction of Chiropractic Care
Today patients visit their chiropractic physicians for a wider variety of reasons than they did in the past, including:
- Digestive Problems
- Allergies
- Migraines
- High Blood Pressure
- Sleep Issues
In addition to being safe and effective, chiropractic care appeals to patients who want to avoid the risks that come with drugs and surgery. The Australian survey results suggest they see chiropractic as a sound investment in conservative treatment as well as prevention. Interestingly, about two-thirds of chiropractic patients view chiropractic as a first choice (65%) rather than as a last resort (12%) for their complaint, and 96% either strongly agree or agree that chiropractic care helps with general health and well-being. Plus, 98% would seek chiropractic services again and were satisfied with the treatment they had received.
So if you’re wondering whether chiropractic care might be right for you, we encourage you to call or visit our office today. We’ll be happy to discuss your situation with you and explain our approach. Come learn why so many others trust us with their health and well-being!