Chiropractic Treatment as a Primary Care Intervention for Better Musculoskeletal Health in the Aging Population in the United Kingdom: An Opinion and Positioning Paper

– important as satisfaction may be related to clinical outcomes (Gemmel and Hayes, 2001; Gaumer, 2006). Preventive, or maintenance, care is even more important as one grows older (Leboeuf-Yde and Hestbaek, 2008). Since musculoskeletal complaints are generally chronic in nature, maintenance programs seek to avoid acute exacerbations and maintain optimal function (Rupert et al., 2000). Consequently this age-group has a culture of “health promotion and preservation” that makes maintenance alternative health programs a popular adjunct to conventional medicine. There is controversy surrounding treatment availability to the elderly (Leboeuf-Yde and Hestbaek, 2008). In the UK, chiropractic is a private treatment not available on the National Health Service (NHS) and, therefore, a chargeable service to patients. Lower income groups and the elderly are deterred from chiropractic treatment due to the costs (Manga et al., 1993).