Why Generation Z and Chiropractic Are a Perfect Fit
Dynamic Chiropractic 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.
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.
