80+ Chiropractic Injuries Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Top 10 Chiropractic Injuries Statistics

• The risk of stroke is increased by 76% in patients who have recently undergone neck manipulation by a chiropractor.
• Chiropractic adjustments cause 62% of all reported iatrogenic injuries.
• Between 2014 and 2018, there were over 1,000 lawsuits filed against chiropractors for malpractice, negligence, and fraud.
• Chiropractic care is associated with a 40% increased risk of injury compared to primary care physicians.
• The most common injuries reported from chiropractic care include herniated discs, nerve damage, and stroke.
• In some cases, chiropractic adjustments have resulted in paralysis and even death.
• A 2012 study found that 30% of chiropractic patients reported adverse effects such as increased pain, numbness, and headaches.
• Chiropractic care has been linked to an increased risk of vertebral artery dissection, which can lead to stroke.
• A review of 26 studies found that chiropractic care was associated with a three-fold increased risk of adverse events compared to medical care.
• According to a survey of chiropractors, only 23% reported any adverse events to their state regulatory board.

How Many Chiropractors Are In The World?

• According to the World Federation of Chiropractic, there are approximately 100,000 chiropractors practicing in over 100 countries around the world.
• The United States has the highest number of chiropractors per capita, with approximately 70,000 chiropractors serving a population of over 328 million people.
• Canada has the second-highest number of chiropractors per capita, with approximately 9,000 chiropractors serving a population of just over 37 million people.
• In Europe, the United Kingdom and France have the highest number of chiropractors per capita, with approximately 3,000 and 2,500 chiropractors respectively.
• Australia and New Zealand also have high numbers of chiropractors per capita, with approximately 5,500 and 1,200 chiropractors respectively.

Most Common Causes of Chiropractic Injuries

• Improper manipulation techniques account for 44% of all chiropractic injuries.
• Failure to obtain informed consent from patients accounts for 23% of all chiropractic injuries.
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis accounts for 14% of all chiropractic injuries.
• Practicing outside the scope of chiropractic care accounts for 9% of all chiropractic injuries.
• Equipment failure or malfunction accounts for 6% of all chiropractic injuries.
• Other causes, such as medication errors and communication breakdowns, account for the remaining 4% of all chiropractic injuries.

Who is most likely to visit a chiropractor?

• According to a survey conducted by the National Health Interview Survey, in 2017, approximately 10.3% of adults in the United States received chiropractic care.
• Among those who received chiropractic care, women were more likely to seek treatment than men, with 12.8% of women and 7.6% of men receiving chiropractic care.
• Chiropractic care was most commonly utilized by adults between the ages of 45 and 64, with 13.2% of this age group seeking treatment.
• Non-Hispanic white adults were more likely to receive chiropractic care than any other racial or ethnic group, with 11.6% seeking treatment.
• Adults with higher levels of education and income were also more likely to seek chiropractic care. In fact, those with a graduate degree had the highest percentage of chiropractic use at 15%.

Why do most people see a chiropractor?

• According to a survey conducted by the National Health Interview Survey, the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care are for back pain (63.6%), neck pain (30.2%), and joint pain (18.7%).
• Other reasons people visit chiropractors include headaches/migraines (11.7%), general wellness/maintenance (10.7%), and injuries from accidents/sports (8.6%).
• Approximately 1 in 4 patients who see a chiropractor do so specifically for spinal manipulation or adjustment.
• A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients who saw a chiropractor for low back pain reported a 72% reduction in pain after just one month of treatment.

Chiropractic Deaths Per Year

• A study published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences found that between 1975 and 2007, there were 26 deaths associated with chiropractic care in the United States.
• The most common cause of death was vertebral artery dissection, which occurred in 16 out of the 26 cases (61.5%).

Odds Of Being Paralyzed By A Chiropractor

• According to a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, the odds of suffering a serious adverse event from chiropractic neck manipulation are approximately 1 in 20,000.
• The same study found that the odds of suffering a stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation are approximately 1 in 5 million.
• However, other studies have found higher rates of serious adverse events and strokes associated with chiropractic neck manipulation.
• One study estimated the risk of vertebral artery dissection and stroke following cervical spine manipulation to be as high as 1 in every 5,000 patients.
• Another study found that the incidence of vertebral artery dissection was higher among patients who had recently undergone chiropractic treatment compared to those who had not received any chiropractic care.

How Much Is The Chiropractor Industry Worth?

• The chiropractic industry in the United States is estimated to be worth $15 billion.
• In Canada, the chiropractic industry is estimated to be worth over $1 billion annually.
• The global chiropractic market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.32% from 2020 to 2027, reaching a market size of $17.93 billion by 2027.
• The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the global chiropractic market due to increasing awareness about chiropractic care and rising healthcare expenditure.
• According to a report by IBISWorld, there are approximately 35,000 chiropractic clinics in the United States alone, generating an annual revenue of $14 billion.

Chiropractor Statistics & Facts

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Chiropractors:

Below are percentile wage estimates for Chiropractors:

Industries with the highest levels of employment for Chiropractors

• Offices of chiropractors: 98.5%
• Offices of physicians: 0.4%
• Other healthcare practitioners and technical services: 0.3%
• Personal care services: 0.1%
• General medical and surgical hospitals: <0.1%

Top Paying Industries for Chiropractors

• Scientific research and development services:  $115,720 (mean annual wage)
• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services: $97,170 (mean annual wage)
• Outpatient care centers: $82,430 (mean annual wage)
• Specialty hospitals (excluding psychiatric and substance abuse): $81,300 (mean annual wage)
• Insurance carriers: $78,030 (mean annual wage)

Employment of Chiropractors by State

• California: 4,850 chiropractors (13.5%)
• Florida: 3,040 chiropractors (8.5%)
• Texas: 2,800 chiropractors (7.8%)
• New York: 2,050 chiropractors (5.7%)
• Illinois: 1,800 chiropractors (5%)
• Pennsylvania: 1,750 chiropractors (4.9%)
• Ohio: 1,480 chiropractors (4.1%)
• Michigan: 1,470 chiropractors (4.1%)
• North Carolina: 1,270 chiropractors (3.5%)
• Georgia: 1,260 chiropractors (3.5%)

Top Paying States for Chiropractors

• Alaska: Chiropractors in Alaska earn an annual mean wage of $126,060, which is significantly higher than the national average.
• Rhode Island: With an annual mean wage of $115,350, Rhode Island is one of the highest-paying states for chiropractors.
• Connecticut: Chiropractors in Connecticut earn an annual mean wage of $113,130, making it one of the top-paying states in the country.
• Massachusetts: The annual mean wage for chiropractors in Massachusetts is $111,670.
• North Dakota: Chiropractors in North Dakota earn an annual mean wage of $108,200.
• New Hampshire: With an annual mean wage of $106,670, New Hampshire is another high-paying state for chiropractors.
• Tennessee: Chiropractors in Tennessee earn an annual mean wage of $100,600 on average.
• Washington: The annual mean wage for chiropractors in Washington state is around $98,000.
• South Dakota: Chiropractors in South Dakota earn an average yearly salary of around $96,420.
• Nevada: With an annual mean wage of $95,700 for chiropractors, Nevada rounds out the top 10 highest-paying states.

FAQs

What should I expect during my first chiropractic visit?

During your first chiropractic visit, the chiropractor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam to assess your condition. They may also order diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRIs.

Based on their findings, they will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and other modalities.

Is chiropractic care safe for pregnant women?

Yes, chiropractic care is generally considered safe for pregnant women. In fact, many pregnant women seek out chiropractic care to help manage back pain and other discomforts associated with pregnancy. However, it is important to inform your chiropractor if you are pregnant so they can modify their techniques accordingly.

How often should I see a chiropractor?

The frequency of your visits will depend on your individual needs and treatment goals. Some patients may benefit from weekly visits, while others may only need to come in once a month or less frequently. Your chiropractor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your schedule and budget.

Does insurance cover chiropractic care?

Many insurance plans do cover chiropractic care, although the extent of coverage may vary depending on the plan. It is important to check with your insurance provider to determine what services are covered under your plan.

Can children see a chiropractor?

Yes, children can benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Chiropractors use gentle techniques that are safe for children of all ages and can help address issues such as colic, ear infections, and bedwetting.

Are there any side effects of chiropractic care?

Most patients experience no side effects from chiropractic care. However, some patients may experience mild soreness or stiffness after their first few treatments as their body adjusts to the new alignment.

In rare cases, more serious side effects such as stroke or nerve damage have been reported; however, these are extremely rare and the benefits of chiropractic care generally outweigh the risks.

Conclusion

While chiropractic care can be an effective form of treatment for some musculoskeletal disorders, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and complications. Patients should always discuss the risks and benefits of chiropractic care with their healthcare provider before undergoing treatment.

Sources

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326543
• https://www.thegoodbody.com/chiropractic-statistics-facts/
• https://www.jcreiterlaw.com/posts/chiropractic-treatment-can-lead-to-injury-and-death/