Chiropractic in North America: A Descriptive Analysis

Abstract

Objective This paper provides descriptive data on chiropractors, their practice, and their patients in North America in the past decade. Method Five sites in the United States and 1 in Canada were chosen, and a random sample of chiropractors was interviewed. In each practice, 10 patients were systematically selected on a single day. A total of 131 chiropractors and 1275 patients were interviewed. Summary The results suggest that doctors of chiropractic have firmly established themselves within the health care system in the United States and Canada and are able to attract patients who come to them directly for treatment, for largely back-related conditions, and who are willing to pay for their care. This paper provides descriptive data on chiropractors, their practice, and their patients in North America in the past decade. Five sites in the United States and 1 in Canada were chosen, and a random sample of chiropractors was interviewed. In each practice, 10 patients were systematically selected on a single day. A total of 131 chiropractors and 1275 patients were interviewed. The results suggest that doctors of chiropractic have firmly established themselves within the health care system in the United States and Canada and are able to attract patients who come to them directly for treatment, for largely back-related conditions, and who are willing to pay for their care.