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Chiropractic Care: A Key to Easing NHS Backlogs and Boosting UK Productivity

ByTobias Toska

Charminster Chiropractic Clinic Supports New BCA Research

A new report from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) and the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) reveals that recognising chiropractors within the NHS could provide a substantial economic benefit, saving the UK economy up to £1.5 billion. This recognition would help alleviate NHS waiting lists by over 100,000 appointments annually and could enhance UK productivity by £400 million each year.

The Bournemouth chiropractors are not surprised by these findings, however, the report clearly shows the importance of chiropractic care to help relieve NHS the patient load. Let’s dive into it.

Chiropractic Care Could Make a Significant Impact

The research suggests that by granting chiropractors the same status as physiotherapists and osteopaths in the NHS, the country could dramatically reduce waiting times for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Currently, MSK issues such as joint, bone, and muscular pain contribute to over 30 million working days lost each year in the UK. Many of these conditions are responsible for more than £100 billion in lost productivity annually, with a significant portion of workforce sickness absences linked to MSK issues.

Chiropractors, recognised globally as essential providers of MSK care, could play a pivotal role in addressing this issue. In countries like the US, Canada, and Denmark, chiropractic care is already integrated into mainstream healthcare systems, improving patient outcomes and reducing wait times. However, in the UK, chiropractors are not currently included in the Allied Health Profession (AHP) status list, limiting access to chiropractic treatment for NHS patients.

Spinal Adjustment and Efficient Treatment Delivery

Spinal adjustments, a cornerstone of chiropractic care, have been shown to improve the management of MSK conditions, including back pain. Incorporating chiropractors into NHS MSK pathways could provide a rapid solution to the current backlog, allowing patients to receive timely care and return to work quicker. YHEC’s research indicates that with current capacity, chiropractors could see over 114,000 additional patients annually, offering immediate relief to the NHS and helping patients recover faster.

A Call to Action for the UK Government

Tim Button, President of the British Chiropractic Association, urges the UK Government to recognise chiropractors as Allied Health Professionals, enabling them to play a larger role in easing NHS pressures. By fully integrating chiropractic care into the NHS, the Government could provide more efficient treatment options, reduce waiting times, and improve overall patient care. This integration would not only help reduce the financial burden on the NHS but also help patients return to work sooner, contributing to a £400 million annual productivity boost.

Chiropractic Care: Ready and Available

At Charminster Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to offering top-quality chiropractic treatment to everyone in the local community, including showing our support to the call for greater integration of chiropractic care into the NHS. With a four-year Master’s degree and regulation by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), we are highly trained healthcare professionals ready to assist in addressing the UK’s MSK crisis.

If you’re seeking a chiropractor or want to learn more about chiropractic care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Charminster Chiropractic Clinic for spinal adjustments and personalised treatment. We offer our help to reduce NHS waiting lists, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to a more productive UK.

Let’s work together to make healthcare more accessible for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How could chiropractors help reduce NHS waiting lists?

According to the BCA and YHEC research, integrating chiropractors into the NHS could help reduce waiting lists by over 100,000 appointments annually. Chiropractors are specialized in treating musculoskeletal conditions which account for a significant portion of NHS appointments. With their current capacity, UK chiropractors could see more than 114,000 additional patients each year, providing immediate relief to NHS backlogs and helping patients recover faster from MSK conditions.

What economic benefits could result from including chiropractors in the NHS?

The research indicates substantial economic benefits from integrating chiropractic care into the NHS. This integration could save the UK economy up to £1.5 billion overall, with a specific boost to UK productivity of approximately £400 million annually. These savings come from reduced sick days, faster return to work for patients with MSK conditions, decreased NHS treatment costs, and improved workforce productivity.

What would it take for chiropractors to be integrated into the NHS?

For chiropractors to be fully integrated into the NHS, the UK Government would need to recognize them as Allied Health Professionals (AHP), giving them the same status as physiotherapists and osteopaths. This would require a policy change to include chiropractors on the AHP status list, enabling them to work within NHS MSK pathways. Such integration would allow for more efficient treatment options, reduced waiting times, and improved patient care while helping to address the current NHS backlog.

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Research References

  • British Chiropractic Association (BCA) – “Economic impact of integrating chiropractic care into the NHS” (2025)
  • York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) – “UK Healthcare Cost Analysis: MSK Treatment Pathways” (2025)
  • Office for National Statistics – “UK Workforce Sickness Absence Data” (2024)

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