Complete Story
12/09/2025
More Than Half of Americans Have a Neurological Condition
Why This Matters for Chiropractic
A major new study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that over 54% of Americans, more than 180 million people, are living with a condition that affects nervous system health.
This analysis, drawn from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study, examined 36 conditions ranging from headaches and neuropathies to stroke and neurodevelopmental disorders. It is one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of how neurological dysfunction impacts the U.S. population.
Key Findings
Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability.
The U.S. saw 16.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in 2021 due to nervous system conditions.
Headaches are the most common neurological complaints.
- Tension-type headache: 121.9 million people
- Migraine: 57.7 million people
These conditions are highly responsive to conservative, non-drug care, representing enormous potential for chiropractic support.
Stroke, dementia, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine create the greatest disability.
Stroke alone accounted for 3.9 million DALYs.
Neurological burden increases with age.
Children face developmental and neonatal conditions, adults experience high rates of headache and neurodevelopmental disorders, and older adults carry steep increases in stroke and dementia.
Why This Matters for Chiropractic
This research reinforces what chiropractors focus on daily: The nervous system is central to health, function, and quality of life.
Here’s how the study connects directly to chiropractic:
- The most common neurological conditions align with conditions chiropractors often manage. Headaches, neuropathic symptoms, balance issues, and musculoskeletal contributors to neurological stress are all within the chiropractic wheelhouse.
- Disability—not death—is the primary challenge. Most neurological disorders limit function rather than shorten life. Chiropractic care specializes in restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving everyday functioning.
- A lifespan approach is essential. Because neurological burden accumulates over decades, preventive and supportive care—from childhood through older adulthood—plays a key role.
- Conservative care is increasingly needed. The study calls for expanded prevention, rehabilitation, and non-pharmacological options—areas where chiropractic is well positioned to lead.
A Takeaway for the Profession
With more than half of Americans affected by neurological conditions, chiropractic’s focus on the spine, nervous system, and functional health is more relevant than ever. This study highlights a growing need for collaborative, accessible, conservative care, precisely where chiropractic can make a meaningful impact.
