Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults age 18+ and sample children ages 4-17 in 2022, COMYR reports whether the person had used chiropractic, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation in the past 12 months.
Prior to 2022, questions about chiropractic care and chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation were asked as part of the Complementary and Alternative Health Supplement. In 2002, the question was fielded to sample adults who had ever seen a practitioner for chiropractic care. In 2007 and 2012, the question was broadened to include any sample adult who had ever seen a practitioner for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (COMEV), and all sample children were included in the universe.
Beginning in 2022, COMYR was one of twenty-five variables sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assess complementary and integrative health (CIH) practices. Please see THPYART to learn more about the Complementary and Integrative Health content section, including a complete list of CIH variables fielded in the 2022 NHIS.
Definitions
The 2002 Field Representative's Manual says that chiropractic care involves:
This definition was not routinely shared with respondents.
The 2007 and 2012 Field Representative's Manuals instead refer specifically to chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation:
The 2007 and 2012 manuals define osteopathic manipulation as:
In 2007 and 2012 field representatives were advised to "feel free to offer [these definitions] even if the respondent has not requested them."
In 2022, chiropractic care was not further defined in the field representative's manual.
Related Variables
Additional information about the use of chiropractic care was collected for respondents who reported using chiropractic care in the past 12 months.
Prior to 2022, the additional information collected included variables on frequency of use and amount of out-of-pocket costs. Please use the IPUMS NHIS drop-down menus and search function to explore these variables.
Beginning in 2022, the additional information collected included variables on the use of chiropractic care to treat or manage physical pain and to restore overall health.
- COMPAIN: Saw chiropractor for pain
- COMHLTH: Saw chiropractor to restore overall health
Comparability
Changes in the universe and sample design affect the comparability of this variable across time.
In 2007, sample children were added to the universe for this question. In 2007 only, the sample child universe was not restricted by if the sample child had ever used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (COMEV). Because of this expanded universe, the number of negative responses for COMYR is much higher in 2007. Otherwise, there are no comparability issues.
In 2022, the universe was not restricted to those who had ever used chiropractic care and included all sample adults and sample children ages 4-17.
In addition, the NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.
Universe
- 2002: Sample adults age 18+ who ever seen a practitioner for chiropractic care during the past 12 months.
- 2007: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation and sample children under 18 .
- 2012: Sample adults age 18+ who have ever seen a practitioner for chiropractic care and sample children between the ages of 4 and 17.
- 2022: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 4-17.
Availability
- 2002, 2007, 2012, 2022
Weights
- 2002, 2007, 2022 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 2012 : SUPP4WT
