Did you ever wonder who most frequently seeks out the services of a chiropractor? Some research suggests your zip code may play a role.
Researchers at the Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Charlottesville, Virginia examined the cases of 12,440 people who took part in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey between 2007 and 2008, and found some interesting findings about who was seeing a chiropractor more often.
The study focused only on people who have arthritis and are therefore likely to see a chiropractor due to having consistent pain.
The researchers found that the rural arthritis sufferers scheduled at least one visit with their chiropractor more often than those who lived in non-rural areas.
One theory that could explain this difference is that people in rural areas may engage in more physical labor than those in non-rural areas, i.e. participating in more gardening, farming, and yard work. These activities can aggravate existing back pain or joints that are affected by arthritis.
Another explanation was demonstrated in an Australian study that surveyed a cross-section of 1,427 middle-aged women and focused on the use of specific complementary and alternative methods in urban versus rural areas. The study suggested that because there are fewer general health care practitioners in rural areas, chiropractors fill a gap in primary care.
Of course urbanites can benefit just as much from chiropractic care. Have you been considering seeing a chiropractor but haven’t taken the first step to call? It’s quite easy – and the result is less pain! Do it today!
References
Adams J, Sibbritt D, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine consultations in urban and nonurban areas: A national survey of 1427 Australian women. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2012; 36(1): 12-19.
Enyinnaya, E.I., Anderson, J.G., Merwin, E.I., and Taylor, A.G. Chiropractic use, health care expenditures, and health outcomes for rural and nonrural individuals with arthritis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2012 Sep; 35 (7):515-24.
