Why Generation Z and Chiropractic Are a Perfect Fit
Editorial Staff
We're still learning about what makes Gen Z – adults ages 18-24 – tick, but some of what we're discovering suggests they both need chiropractic care and are willing to use it. Case in point: new survey findings that reveal many Gen Zers experience chronic pain at a young age and are open to drug-free pain management, including chiropractic.
Here are some of the key findings from the survey, conducted by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress:
"When asked about their neck, shoulder and back pain, 18% of survey participants reported they first felt pain before the age of 10; 36% between the ages of 11 and 15 and 37% first felt discomfort between the ages of 16 and 20."
"More than half (54%) of respondents classified their risk for persistent pain as ‘medium.' Meanwhile, only 36% of survey respondents said their chronic pain is improving while the remainder reported it is getting worse (36%) or staying the same (28%)."
"[N]early three-quarters (73%) of Generation Z survey respondents reported their chronic pain was caused by their sleep position, followed by sports or exercise (45%) and carrying a heavy bag (39%)."
"[M]ore than 63% of survey respondents reported being 'somewhat' or ‘very' interested in chiropractic care while 17% have already received such care."
"Nearly 64% stated they believe chiropractic care should be covered by insurers, followed by physical therapy (61%); and massage, cupping, reiki and reflexology (50%)."
"Nearly 31% of survey respondents stated the efficacy of drug-free, natural pain management methods was a more important deciding factor than cost (24%) and convenience (20%)."
"Younger Americans seem to be recognizing that pharmacological pain management methods alone deliver only short-term relief without addressing the underlying causes of chronic neuromusculoskeletal pain that can often start at an early age," said Dr. Sherry McAllister, executive vice president of the F4CP.
Because they have yet to pass national legislation protecting the chiropractic profession, Japanese DCs are in a similar situation that U.S. DCs faced. We were fortunate enough to be able to pass chiropractic licensure state by state. The DCs in Japan must accomplish this nationally, which has proved to be an extremely difficult task. And in spite of their efforts, Japanese DCs are currently faced with two chiropractic professions.
Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher
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