Findings from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, "the most recent source providing data on the use of complementary health care approaches by adults in the United States," reveals why patients utilize chiropractic and what they value most.
The survey provides data on lifetime (54.6 million; 24%) and 12-month (19.1 million; 8.4%) utilization of chiropractic and various sociodemographic characteristics. But the most intriguing data illuminates the primary reasons for visiting a DC and the perceived health and wellness benefits received by chiropractic users:
Reasons for Visiting a DC
For general wellness / disease prevention: 43.6%
To improve energy: 16.3%
To improve athletic or sports performance: 15.4%
To improve immune function: 11.4%
To improve memory or concentration: 5.3%
Benefits of Chiropractic
Improves overall health or makes feel better: 66.9%
Helps to sleep better: 41.9%
Helps to reduce stress level or to relax: 40.2%
Makes it easier to cope with health problems: 38.5%
Gives a sense of control over own health: 32.5%
Helps to feel better emotionally: 27.4%
Improves attendance at job or school: 17.0%
Improves relationships with others: 13.3%
Note: Chiropractic also motivated patients to "exercise more regularly" (21.6%) and "eat healthier" (10.7%), emphasizing the DC's value as a source of information / guidance in these areas.
Overall Value in Maintaining Health and Well-Being
Very important: 47.9%
Somewhat important: 29.6%
Slightly important: 13.9%
Not at all important: 8.7%
Effectiveness in Helping Specific Health Problem
Helped a great deal: 64.5%
Helped some: 25.8%
Helped only a little: 6.1%
Didn't help at all: 3.5%
Why Not Just See an MD?
Chiropractic combined with medical treatment would help: 64.8%
Chiropractic treats the cause and not just the symptoms: 61.9%
It is natural: 37.5%
Medical treatments do not work for specific health problem: 33.8%
Chiropractic focuses on the whole person: 24.9%
Medications cause side effects: 18.1%
Complete survey findings appear in Spine, Dec. 1, 2017 issue (Adams J., et al.).
A historic meeting between chiropractic and Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) leadership took place on March 10th, 2026, in Washington, D.C., featuring representatives from chiropractic national organizations, professional associations and policy principals. The collective goal: advancing the role of chiropractic in improving the health of Americans. Meeting participants focused on long-standing issues that have affected the chiropractic profession for decades, including access to care, reimbursement parity, and ensuring DCs have an appropriate role in national health policy discussions.
Radicular-like pain of the upper and lower extremities is among the most common presentations in musculoskeletal and spine-related practice. Traditionally, these symptoms are interpreted through a disc-centric and dermatomal framework, often leading clinicians to attribute limb pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness to spinal nerve-root pathology. While this approach is appropriate in cases of true radiculopathy, it frequently falls short when symptoms fail to follow consistent dermatomal patterns or correlate poorly with imaging findings.
A 46-year-old male presented to our clinic with a seven-year history of recurrent low back pain with sciatica. He reported stiffness and discomfort that worsened with prolonged sitting both at his desk job and during evening television time. The patient had seen multiple chiropractors over the years. In every case, spinal manipulation and other passive treatments would bring gradual symptom relief over 2-3 months. However, within another 3-6 months, the symptoms would return. Frustrated – and now considering a spinal injection and possibly surgery if that failed, he came to our office seeking a different approach.
