If you think an aching back is the only reason people are seeking out chiropractic care, think again. More and more people are turning to chiropractors to treat a range of injuries and conditions brought on by everything from sports injuries to poor posture. They’re also looking for non-invasive, drugless therapies, and are focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle by making visits to the chiropractor more the rule than the exception.
For many, The Joint Corp., a network of chiropractic clinics well known for retail locations and walk-in appointments, is the answer. The company got its start in Tucson in 1999 and was guided by a vision to make chiropractic care more convenient and affordable. The company was re-founded in 2010 with the acquisition of the original eight franchised clinics, and today is the nation’s largest network of non-insurance, private-pay chiropractic health care clinics in the country.
The Joint is seeing a steady growth in new patients, according to the company’s annual survey. In 2018, the survey showed that 26 percent of patients were new to chiropractic care, up from 16 percent in 2013, says Peter D. Holt, president and CEO of The Joint Corp. He attributes that growth to an increasing desire for drug-free solutions to the opioid, obesity and pain epidemics.
“Not surprising, millennials are our largest constituency, comprising 39 percent of our patient base, as they are more likely to be open to natural, holistic and wellness healthcare."
-Peter D. Holt, CEO, The Joint Corp
Holt says, adding that people are largely familiar with chiropractic care to help recover from injuries or symptoms like low back pain, neck pain, headaches or other issues triggered by wear and tear to muscles, nerve or joint movement. These issues are most frequently caused by sports injuries, workplace injuries, auto accidents, poor posture over time or other incidents.
But patients also turn to The Joint for another, less understood benefit of chiropractic care: regular treatments designed to maintain health. When care is part of a routine, the body can better respond to all the stresses it experiences throughout the day, says Holt.
In fact, a new brand campaign launched last year, called “You’re Back, Baby,” is designed to tell real patient stories focused on not only everyday pain relief, but also the benefits of incorporating regular treatments into everyday life.
“Much like brushing one’s teeth or working out, this is a proactive approach to health that seeks to prevent injury from occurring in the first place,” Holt says. “These benefits of chiropractic care are less understood but make sense when one considers all the other self-care routines that lead to improved quality of life.”
