Medical Doctors, Chiropractors Top Choices for Spine Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Neck and back pain sufferers in the U.S. who saw healthcare professionals in the past 12 months for this type of pain were most likely to seek care from a medical doctor (62%) or a chiropractor (53%). About a third visited a massage therapist or a physical therapist for their neck or back pain (34% for each).

	Yes
	%
Medical doctor	62
Chiropractor	53
Massage therapist	34
Physical therapist	34
Physician's assistant	26
Nurse practitioner	22
Surgeon who can operate on spine	22
Doctor of osteopathic medicine	15
Acupuncturist	9
Sample sizes: 988-1,157
Gallup-Palmer College, March 12-April 10, 2018

Smaller percentages of U.S. adults suffering from neck or back pain who sought care saw physician's assistants (26%), nurse practitioners (22%), surgeons who can operate on the spine (22%), doctors of osteopathic medicine (15%) or acupuncturists (9%).

Most patients with this kind of pain (81%) saw more than one type of healthcare provider for care in the past year, demonstrating a willingness to address their pain through different types of care.

These figures are from the latest Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic annual report, Managing Neck and Back Pain in America, which surveyed more than 5,000 U.S. adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. and can affect one's ability to work, complete daily tasks and enjoy life.

Chiropractors, Physical Therapists Given High Marks in Care Experiences

Neck and back pain patients were asked about their experiences with the healthcare professional they saw most often for care. Sample sizes were large enough for examining the experiences of those who saw chiropractors, physical therapists and medical doctors. These experiences were evaluated across four key elements of care, including patient perceptions that their provider provided convenient and quick access to care, listened to them, demonstrated care and compassion, and explained things well.

Patients of chiropractors and physical therapists are more likely to report that their provider often did these four things than are patients of medical doctors. The vast majority of neck and back pain patients who saw a chiropractor in the past year say their chiropractor listened to them (93%), provided convenient and quick access to care (93%), demonstrated care and compassion (91%), and explained things well (88%). More than eight in 10 neck and back pain patients who saw a physical therapist most often for care say the same on these key elements of care.

Two-thirds or more of neck and back pain patients who saw a medical doctor most often say their care provider listened to them (72%), explained things well (67%) and demonstrated care and compassion (66%), while a slim majority report having received convenient, quick access to care (53%).

	Chiropractor	Physical therapist	Medical doctor
	% Often	% Often	% Often
Listen to you	93	88	72
Provide convenient, quick access to care	93	86	53
Demonstrate care, compassion	91	86	66
Explain things well	88	83	67
Sample sizes: Medical doctors=177-200; Chiropractors=312-329; Physical therapists=175-184
Gallup-Palmer College, March 12-April 10, 2018

Heat and Yoga/Stretching Among Popular Ways of Self-Addressing Pain

The most popular nondrug remedies employed by adults who sought professional care for significant neck and back pain are superficial heat or heating pads (77%) and yoga, stretching or other exercises (72%) to alleviate pain. Six in 10 used ice or cold packs (60%) to address their pain.

Many neck and back pain sufferers also used nondrug therapies that require a healthcare professional, such as massage (53%), spinal adjustment (47%) and physical therapy (42%), while smaller minorities received cortisone injections (18%) and acupuncture (9%).

	Yes
	%
Superficial heat, heating pad	77
Yoga, stretching or other exercises	72
Ice, cold packs	60
Massage	53
Spinal adjustment/manipulation	47
Physical therapy	42
Cortisone injections	18
Acupuncture	9
Sample sizes: 1,230-1,331
Gallup-Palmer College, March 12-April 10, 2018

Over-the-Counter Medications Commonly Used Among Spine Pain Sufferers

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common medication used by U.S. adults who sought care for significant neck or back pain in the past year. Nearly three in four (73%) took an NSAID, while half of such pain sufferers report having used acetaminophen (50%).

More than one in five neck and back pain patients took prescription pain medications in the past year. Opioids and benzodiazepines were used by 22% each, while a smaller percentage used Gabapentin or Neurontin (12%).

	Yes
	%
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug	73
Acetaminophen	50
Benzodiazepines	22
Opioids	22
Gabapentin or Neurontin	12
Sample sizes: 1,308-1,367
Gallup-Palmer College, March 12-April 10, 2018

Bottom Line

One in four adults in the U.S. have neck or back pain significant enough that they saw a healthcare provider for care in the past 12 months. Many of these adults are using various methods to try to address their pain -- including seeing more than one type of healthcare provider.

An integrated approach to addressing spine pain -- one in which different types of healthcare providers work together -- could be an asset to neck or back pain sufferers in America.

Click here to read the full report.