New study shows over 50% of chiropractic patients age 65+ present with back problems

A new study, “The profile of older adults seeking chiropractic care: a secondary analysis” released this month, reveals the extent of back issues in chiropractic patients age 65+ compared to other age groups and other physical ailments.

“While there is high use of chiropractic care by older adults, there is no recent, specific data on why older adults seek chiropractic care and how chiropractors manage conditions,” the study reads. Researchers polled 6,781 chiropractic-age patients, with 16% age 65 or older.

“The most common diagnosis within older adult encounters was a back problem (56%), followed by neck problems (10%),” the study reads. “Soft tissue techniques were most frequently used for older patients (85 in every 100 encounters) and in 29 of every 100 encounters, chiropractors recommended exercise to older patients as a part of their treatment.”

To see the study in its entirety go to https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02218-6.