Patients are no longer just searching; they are asking. Consumers increasingly use AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Perplexity to ask complete questions in conversational language. Instead of typing “chiropractor Miami,” patients may ask, “What is the best nonsurgical treatment for sciatica?” or “Who helps pregnant women with low back pain near me? This shift represents one of the biggest changes in healthcare marketing since the rise of Google itself.
Trending: CBD / Hemp Oil
A recent survey of DCs regarding cannabidiol (CBD) / hemp oil provides food for thought as to the viability of CBD-based products as a component of chiropractic patient care. Here are some observations from the executive summary of the survey:
Almost one in four DCs have used a CBD / hemp oil topical product for self-care and report it worked great. Another 10 percent have used such a product and believe it worked as well as a non-CBD topical. Almost 40 percent have not tried a CBD / hemp oil topical yet, but expect to do so.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) currently use or offer CBD / hemp oil topicals to their patients. More than half are considering offering topical products (56 percent) and sublingual / ingestible products (58 percent).
Almost 60 percent of respondents believe "CBD / hemp oil has health benefits beyond topical pain relief," (34 percent "very true," 26 percent "somewhat true"). When asked what they use or would use CBD / hemp oil sublingual / ingestible products for, inflammation (72 percent), anxiety (61 percent), insomnia (47 percent), PTSD (46 percent) and immune / autoimmune issues (35 percent) were the top choices.
Most DCs believe CBD / hemp oil products have health benefits beyond topical pain relief (59 percent) and are the latest advance in addressing topical pain (57 percent). Only 20 percent believe they are a fad.
Source: MPA Media / DC CBD / Hemp Oil Survey. Completed May 1, 2018.