There’s no denying how popular chiropractic care for chronic pain is becoming amongst Americans.
In fact, nearly 35 million Americans are treated by chiropractors each year. A big reason for this is because of the non-invasive nature of chiropractic treatment, and how much of a difference it can make in a patient’s quality of life. Last year, three out of every four Americans said they’d describe their chiropractic care as “very effective” in their battle against daily pain. We have observed this trend manifest here at Matthews Family Chiropractic.
While chiropractic care has grown overall over the past few years, there’s one age segment specifically that has really begun to reap its benefits – baby boomers.
Baby Boomers are Flocking to Chiropractic Treatment
As we age, we’re bound to incur a few more of those nagging aches and pains that might have bothered us a bit more sparingly in past years. As these sources of pain become more and more prevalent, the baby boomer generation has found themselves looking to alternative forms of therapy that don’t involve the use of potentially harmful drugs or surgeries.
Enter chiropractic care, and the overwhelming amount of older adults that have begun to capitalize on its offerings.
Baby boomers make up the biggest segment of the American population – 76 million – and more and more of them have been gravitating towards chiropractic treatment. Results from a recent Journal of Geriatric Society study show that over half of people over the age of 55 seek out chiropractic care for their pain complaints.
Of note from that same study:
- Patients aged of 55+ often see a chiropractor for treatments related to sciatica or lower back pain
- This group is focused on maintaining their mobility well into their later years
- Patients in this age group tend to have a focus on healthy lifestyles and eating habits, and have a preference towards not taking medications to deal with pain areas, such as treating sore necks.
Something interesting to note is the fact that this age segment tends to initiate their chiropractic care as a form of preventive therapy outside of the boundaries of their insurance – they are happy to pay out of pocket, and aren’t as concerned with medical billing or coverage.
More and more of this age demographic is realizing that traditional medical care – ER visits, surgeries, medications, etc. – is becoming obsolete when it comes to dealing with their nagging aches and pains. They’ve grown tired of waiting for effective treatment, and want to take charge of their health today. Instead, the baby boomer population has focused on therapies that aid them in prevention and maintenance – specifically as it relates to their musculoskeletal health. For example, treating fibromyalgia with chiropractic care is something that has caught on in this generation.
Why Are So Many Baby Boomers Opting for Chiropractic?
The benefits of chiropractic care are many – but when it comes to baby boomers, first and foremost, it’s an effective therapy as it relates to maintaining a high quality of life and retaining mobility and autonomy. Many boomers do whatever they can to keep themselves feeling young, and making sure their bodies are in working order is a big piece of that puzzle.
Their reasons can vary based on their personal situations, but generally speaking, baby boomers seek out chiropractic care for any of the following reasons:
Baby Boomers want to keep up with their grandchildren – For so many baby boomers, a big part of their life involves interacting with their grandchildren. Muscle aches and pains make it difficult to do so, which is why chiropractic can play a big role in maintaining the physical aspects of these relationships.
Baby Boomers want to stay home as long as possible – As anyone with an older parent or relative will tell you, it’s a full-time job trying to care for a loved one when they can no longer move themselves around the home effectively. Many boomers want to make sure they stay out of assisted living, and staying active and mobile is a big part of that.
Baby Boomers value a healthy lifestyle – As evidenced by the earlier study, boomers that seek out chiropractic care tend to be those that have a vested interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle – from eating habits, to physical activity, and of course – a better, more effective way for them to deal with their aches and pains…even headache relief!
Baby Boomers want to stay active – As the old adage goes, “you’re only as old as you feel,” and many boomers want to make sure they maintain that credo! Utilizing chiropractic care helps mitigate and minimize the chronic aches and pains that come along with getting older, letting them still enjoy the things they always have, despite their age.
Are you a baby boomer that wants to take control of their health? Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and see how we can help you rediscover a pain-free life!
