25 Chiropractic Statistics (and Facts): Crunching the Numbers

Each year more than 35 million people visit a chiropractor, with over one million adjustments performed daily across the US. In this article we’ll explore the popularity of the practice, common reasons for seeking help and the amazing advantages for your health.

Chiropractic Statistics: How Many People in the US See a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic Statistics (Top Picks)

  • More than 35 million people in the US visit a chiropractor annually.
  • One million chiropractic adjustments are performed every day across America.
  • Women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 are the most likely to visit a chiropractor.
  • The value of chiropractic industry is estimated to be $19.5 billion.
  • Over 70,000 chiropractors are currently registered in the US.
  • The average chiropractor earns $70,720 per year.
  • 77% of people who receive chiropractic care for back pain describe it as “very effective”.
  • The probability of injury during chiropractic care is 40 injuries per 100,000 subjects.
Chiropractic Statistics - Top Picks

2022 Chiropractic Statistics

How many people in the US see a chiropractor?

Chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans annually.

To put that figure into perspective, it’s a phenomenal 10% of the population, including both adults and children.

Plus it’s estimated that roughly one million chiropractic adjustments are performed each day in the US.

With statistics about chronic pain revealing that between 11% and 40% of adults in the US live with the condition, it’s no wonder people are looking for drug-free pain relief alternatives.

Chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans annually

Who is most likely to visit a chiropractor?

Women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 are the most likely to visit a chiropractor.

In fact, 60% of patients who visit a chiropractor are female.

Interestingly however, the majority of chiropractors (77%) are male. There are a number of initiatives in place to encourage more women into the profession.

When it comes to children, those between the ages of 12 and 17 are more likely to visit a chiropractor.

What is the value of the chiropractic industry?

The US chiropractic industry is estimated to be worth over $19.5 billion.

Stay-at-home orders issued across the country during the pandemic is expected to impact heavily on industry growth.

Yet the U.S. Bureau of Labor suggest that the industry will bounce back and continue to grow by 4% through to 2029.

Why do most people see a chiropractor?

46% of chiropractic patients are receiving care for lower back pain, making it the reason most people see a chiropractor.

Chiropractors report this as the most common reason people will seek care. Followed by neck pain and headaches.

Back and neck pain could be the result of an accident, injury or chronic pain that a patient is struggling to manage with medication.

2022 Chiropractic Key Statistics:

    • More than 35 million Americans are treated by a chiropractor each year.
    • It’s estimated that over one million chiropractic adjustments are performed in the US every day.
    • 60% of chiropractic patients are female.
    • Those aged between 45 and 64 are most likely to visit a chiropractor.
    • Children seeing a chiropractor are most likely to between the ages of 12 and 17.
    • The value of the US chiropractic industry is over $19.5 billion.
    • Most people see a chiropractor for low back pain, with 46% of patients reporting this reason.

Sources: American Chiropractic Association | Monumental Chiropractic | National Library of Medicine | National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health | IBIS World | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | National Library of Medicine | Broadway at Yew Chiropractic & Massage

Chiropractic Profession Statistics

How many chiropractors are in there in the US?

There are currently over 70,000 registered chiropractors in the US.

There are also around 10,000 students currently studying in one of the many accredited chiropractic schools across the country.

There are more than 70,000 registered chiropractors in the US

How many chiropractors are there in the world?

According to the latest data published in the Chiropractic & Manual Therapies Journal, more than 100,000 chiropractors are registered worldwide.

Which states have the most chiropractors?

Data from Statista shows that California and Florida are the states that have the highest number of chiropractors.

How much does a chiropractor make in the US?

The average chiropractor earns $70,720 per year.

This is a combination of 4,200 theory and practical teaching hours, and 1000 hours of supervised clinical training.

How much do most chiropractors charge?

Estimates show that the average chiropractor charges between $50 and $75.

Chiropractic Profession Key Statistics:

  • Over 70,000 chiropractors are currently registered in the US.
  • More than 100,000 chiropractors are registered worldwide.
  • California and Florida are the US states with the highest number of chiropractors.
  • The salary of the average chiropractor is currently $70,720 per year.
  • The average chiropractor charges between $50 and $75.

Sources: American Chiropractic Association (ACA) | BioMed Central | StatistaDEAN Chiropractic

Benefits of Chiropractic Care Statistics

Is chiropractic care effective for back pain?

77% of people who receive chiropractic care for back pain describe it as “very effective”.

Back pain statistics and other findings published by Consumer Reports, shows that chiropractic outperforms prescription medication, deep-tissue massage, yoga and meditation when it comes to back pain treatment.

65% of those surveyed described chiropractic care as “helping a lot”.

Chiropractors also use complementary therapies that are proven to help with back pain, such as acupuncture, massage and TENS units.

77% of people describe chiropractic care as “very effective”

Is chiropractic care effective for neck pain?

Studies have proven chiropractic care to be successful in treating neck pain, headaches and migraines.

A practice-based review took data from 99 patients suffering with neck pain (some with associated, secondary headaches).

Both pain intensity and flexibility were significantly improved, with Neck Disability Index scores reducing by over 70%.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care Key Statistics:

  • More than 3 in 4 people who receive chiropractic care for back pain describe it as “very effective”.
  • Chiropractic care is effective for neck pain, reducing Neck Disability Index scores by over 70%.

Sources: American Chiropractic Association (ACA) | National Library of Medicine

Chiropractic Injury Statistics

Can chiropractic adjustments cause injury?

Chiropractic care has a significantly lower injury rate than general primary care for patients aged over 66.

Review the numbers and you’ll see that the probability of injury during chiropractic care is 40 injuries per 100,000 subjects. Primary care reports 153 incidents per 100,000 subjects.

The probability of injury during chiropractic care is 40 injuries per 100,000 subjects

How often do chiropractors cause strokes?

One to three incidents of stroke are reported, per one million people, following treatment from a chiropractor.

Many studies have looked at the incidence of stroke after chiropractic care, particularly cervical manipulation.

Each one has agreed that the risk of stroke is one to three incidents, per one million treatments.

How many deaths are caused by chiropractors?

Death caused by chiropractic manipulation is incredibly rare.

Neck manipulation causes significantly fewer deaths than cervical spine surgery.

Research puts the risk of dying from neck manipulation at one per million people.

Compare this to spine surgery, and the estimated risk is 1,800 per one million people.

Chiropractic Injury Key Statistics:

  • The probability of injury during chiropractic care is 40 injuries per 100,000 subjects.
  • Between one and three incidents of stroke are reported, per one million people, following treatment from a chiropractor each year.
  • The risk of dying from neck manipulation is reported as one per one million people.

Sources: National Library of Medicine | Chiro.org | ScienceDirect

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Laura Smith

Author

Laura Smith

Associate Editorial Manager

Specialist health & wellbeing writer, passionate about discovering new technologies & sharing the latest research.