| Facts about Chiropractic Chiropractic is the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the complementary and alternative medicine professions. (Meeker, Haldeman; 2002; Annals of Internal Medicine) There are more than 60,000 active chiropractic licenses in the United States. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands officially recognize chiropractic as a health care profession. Approximately 7.4% of the population visited a Doctor of Chiropractic in 2002. In 2002, U.S. adults relied more on the conservative care offered by Doctors of Chiropractic, than of yoga, massage, acupuncture, or other diet-based therapies. (Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine; January 2006) After 4 years of undergraduate pre-med studies, Doctors of Chiropractic undergo at least 4 years of professional study at 1 of 16 chiropractic colleges accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic must pass vigorous national board examinations and become state-licensed prior to practicing. In national surveys, patients favor chiropractic over medical care for back or neck pain. Patients routinely rate Doctors of Chiropractic highly in skill, manner, and explaination of treatment. Chiropractic treatment is a covered benefit in many traditional insurance policies. In fact, according to some reports, as many as 87% of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans. |