The chiropractic industry has gone through a variety of “eras,” according to an article in Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, and it continues to evolve and advance.
And as a practicing doctor of chiropractic (DC), you’re likely aware that the industry’s landscape is constantly changing. Like any industry, the chiropractic profession is subject to trends, fads and shifts. As we gradually move through 2024, it’s crucial to have an understanding of what trends are now affecting the industry and, most importantly, to decide if they’ll become a key part of your chiropractic practice.
This article explores five of the key chiropractic care trends in 2024 that range from patients’ care preferences and digital advancements to holistic wellness and personalized care.
Chiropractic care trends to be aware of in 2024
1. Digital advancements in chiropractic care
One of the greatest examples of digital advancements in chiropractic care is the inclusion of AI-powered diagnostic tools along with virtual reality (VR) tools that have changed patient assessments, consults and treatments.
With the use of these tools, DCs are able to provide more personalized treatment plans as well as use them for patient education through immersive experiences that help patients understand their conditions more comprehensively.
Beyond just educating patients, digital advancements like augmented reality simulations, programmed branching scenarios based on student doctor interactions with cases, and more have been playing increasing roles in educating future DCs and other healthcare providers.
2. Holistic wellness and multidisciplinary approaches
Another chiropractic care trend gaining momentum is the integration of holistic wellness and multidisciplinary approaches. The chiropractic industry has progressively seen more and more overlap with the holistic and multidisciplinary professions over the last few decades. In 2024 and the coming years, it’s anticipated that the overlap will only grow. It’s likely that chiropractic practitioners will employ or at least contract with other multidisciplinary providers, such as:
- Physical therapists
- Nutritionists
- Mental health experts
It’s anticipated that DCs will likely continue to reach for a more comprehensive approach to address physical aspects of spinal health alongside nutritional health, mental health and even overall well-being.
As always, it’s important to understand the important legal details and requirements of blending multidisciplinary practices into your chiropractic practice.
3. Personalized patient care
Customized care continues to be a growing chiropractic trend. Now, DCs are rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches to treating patients, often including customized care based on a patient’s unique factors, such as:
- Environmental influences
- Lifestyle
- Genetics
How can DCs incorporate more personalized care into their practice methods? Consider adopting the latest electronic health and practice management software, creating customized treatment plans, providing flexible education and engaging with virtual resources.
4. Emphasis on patient education
An emphasis on patient education is a chiropractic care trend taking hold in the profession. It’s not just about treating patients anymore — it’s about providing them with ample, clear education. DCs are emphasizing patient education at every touchpoint as part of their best practices for communication strategies.
This goes above and beyond encouraging patients to take an active role in their healthcare experience; it also means providing them with resources to ease lifestyle modifications, guidance on self-care techniques and skills to manage pain and prevent future issues.
A more direct approach to preventative care, self-management and at-home lifestyle changes are a large part of this chiropractic care trend.
5. Focus on evidence-based research and techniques
DCs are focused on staying up to date with the latest studies, clinical trials and published reports to ensure their patients’ treatment plans are founded upon evidence-based research. .
This chiropractic care trend will continue to be critical in the profession. Now more than ever, DCs are focused on providing their patients with transparency, explaining their reasoning behind recommended treatment methods and citing research alongside clinical methods to support their recommendations. This commitment is focused on safety, effective care and trust within the profession.
Final thoughts
These five trends in chiropractic care have at their core a focus on the patient as an individual, and support the efficacy of taking a multidisciplinary approach using the latest technology, tools and research, with the intended outcome of improved patient care, increased trust in you as a practitioner, and the empowerment of patients to take an active role in maximizing their health and well-being.
For updates on the chiropractic industry, research you can trust and helpful business advice, check out Chiropractic Economics magazine.
