Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary If your symptoms are very bad or are getting worse, or if you're getting new symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. Spinal manipulation, also called spinal adjustment, is a therapy that uses pressure on a joint of the spine. It is used to ease pain and help the body function better. Manipulation can be done with the hands or a special device. The careful, controlled force used on the joint can range from gentle to strong, and from slow to rapid. Sometimes other joints of the body are also worked on to help treat the spine. Spinal manipulation can be used with other treatments. These may include heat or ice, medicines, physical therapy, exercise, massage, mobilization, acupuncture, changing the way you do your activities, or getting cognitive behavioral therapy. Spinal manipulation can work as well as other treatments for low back pain, whether the pain is new or has lasted a long time.footnote 1 But pain relief may only last for a short time. Like most low back pain treatments, spinal manipulation works for some people but not for others. If you are looking for a health care provider who is trained to do spinal manipulation, ask friends about who they do and don't like, and why. Check the background and education of providers you're interested in. It may help to have a visit to make sure you are comfortable with a provider's practice style. Health care providers who are commonly trained to do spinal manipulation include: Make your family doctor aware of your other providers and the treatments you are getting. Some medical insurance plans cover chiropractic care. If you have insurance, check to see if your plan covers this treatment. Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by a trained health care provider. Some people feel tired or sore after treatment. Spinal manipulation is not recommended for people who have certain health problems like osteoporosis, bone fractures, or spondylolisthesis. There are many treatments you can try. You can do these whether or not you are doing spinal manipulation. These include: There are several things you can do at home to help reduce your pain. For example: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I grew up in a family that swears by spinal manipulation. When I moved out on my own in another city, I went to the chiropractor down the street from me when I hurt my back. I didn't feel comfortable. This guy had a totally different approach than my old chiropractor. After asking various friends, I found another chiropractor I felt more comfortable with. Tara, age 24 I've put up with bouts of this back pain over the years, but this time I couldn't walk right. A friend of mine suggested I see his osteopathic doctor to have my spine worked on. I didn't know much about spinal manipulation, but I thought I'd give it a try. And you know, after three visits, my pain got a lot better. Joe, age 40 I'm pretty careful about who I choose for my medical care. So I did some research before going to see someone about treating my back pain. I'd heard about some people who actually felt worse after spinal manipulation. I'd also heard from friends that manipulation helped them a lot. So I talked to my doctor and got the name of a chiropractor. I talked to her on the phone ahead of time about how she practices. She sounded great. After I made sure that she was covered by my health insurance, I took the first appointment that was available. A few appointments and daily exercises at home have brought me such relief! Sandra, age 37 I went to a physical therapist who has helped me with my back with spinal manipulation before. But this time my symptoms were different, and he was concerned. I had pain and weakness in my leg that was getting worse. My physical therapist worked with my family doctor, and I was referred to a surgeon. Dave, age 55 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to choose spinal manipulation Reasons not to choose spinal manipulation I am comfortable with treatment that involves hands-on contact. I don't like the idea of treatments that involve physical contact. I want to avoid using medicine for my pain. Medicine or another treatment will help relieve my pain. My schedule is flexible, so I can take time out of my day to get treatment. I don't have time in my day to get treatment. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Trying spinal manipulation NOT trying spinal manipulation Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. If your symptoms are very bad or are getting worse, or if you're getting new symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. Spinal manipulation, also called spinal adjustment, is a therapy that uses pressure on a joint of the spine. It is used to ease pain and help the body function better. Manipulation can be done with the hands or a special device. The careful, controlled force used on the joint can range from gentle to strong, and from slow to rapid. Sometimes other joints of the body are also worked on to help treat the spine. Spinal manipulation can be used with other treatments. These may include heat or ice, medicines, physical therapy, exercise, massage, mobilization, acupuncture, changing the way you do your activities, or getting cognitive behavioral therapy. Spinal manipulation can work as well as other treatments for low back pain, whether the pain is new or has lasted a long time.1 But pain relief may only last for a short time. Like most low back pain treatments, spinal manipulation works for some people but not for others. If you are looking for a health care provider who is trained to do spinal manipulation, ask friends about who they do and don't like, and why. Check the background and education of providers you're interested in. It may help to have a visit to make sure you are comfortable with a provider's practice style. Health care providers who are commonly trained to do spinal manipulation include: Make your family doctor aware of your other providers and the treatments you are getting. Some medical insurance plans cover chiropractic care. If you have insurance, check to see if your plan covers this treatment. Spinal manipulation is safe when performed by a trained health care provider. Some people feel tired or sore after treatment. Spinal manipulation is not recommended for people who have certain health problems like osteoporosis, bone fractures, or spondylolisthesis. There are many treatments you can try. You can do these whether or not you are doing spinal manipulation. These include: There are several things you can do at home to help reduce your pain. For example: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I grew up in a family that swears by spinal manipulation. When I moved out on my own in another city, I went to the chiropractor down the street from me when I hurt my back. I didn't feel comfortable. This guy had a totally different approach than my old chiropractor. After asking various friends, I found another chiropractor I felt more comfortable with." — Tara, age 24 "I've put up with bouts of this back pain over the years, but this time I couldn't walk right. A friend of mine suggested I see his osteopathic doctor to have my spine worked on. I didn't know much about spinal manipulation, but I thought I'd give it a try. And you know, after three visits, my pain got a lot better." — Joe, age 40 "My back has been bothering me a lot. I thought about having spinal manipulation, but I'm not comfortable with the idea of someone pressing on my spine. Instead, I've decided to try massage and changing the way I do certain activities. So far these things have helped. And I'm now able to walk more and do some exercises to strengthen my back." — Yolanda, age 61 "I'm pretty careful about who I choose for my medical care. So I did some research before going to see someone about treating my back pain. I'd heard about some people who actually felt worse after spinal manipulation. I'd also heard from friends that manipulation helped them a lot. So I talked to my doctor and got the name of a chiropractor. I talked to her on the phone ahead of time about how she practices. She sounded great. After I made sure that she was covered by my health insurance, I took the first appointment that was available. A few appointments and daily exercises at home have brought me such relief!" — Sandra, age 37 "I went to a physical therapist who has helped me with my back with spinal manipulation before. But this time my symptoms were different, and he was concerned. I had pain and weakness in my leg that was getting worse. My physical therapist worked with my family doctor, and I was referred to a surgeon." — Dave, age 55 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to choose spinal manipulation Reasons not to choose spinal manipulation I am comfortable with treatment that involves hands-on contact. I don't like the idea of treatments that involve physical contact. I want to avoid using medicine for my pain. Medicine or another treatment will help relieve my pain. My schedule is flexible, so I can take time out of my day to get treatment. I don't have time in my day to get treatment. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Trying spinal manipulation NOT trying spinal manipulation 1.
Do most people with low back pain get better without spinal manipulation? 2.
Is spinal manipulation a back pain treatment that works for everyone? 3.
Can spinal manipulation help relieve your back pain over the long term? 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: May 13, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardLow Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is spinal manipulation?
How well does spinal manipulation work for low back pain?
How do you choose someone to do spinal manipulation?
What are the risks of spinal manipulation?
What other treatments are there besides spinal manipulation?
Home treatments
Why might you consider spinal manipulation?
Compare your options
Personal stories about spinal manipulation for low back pain
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Low Back Pain: Should I Have Spinal Manipulation?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is spinal manipulation?
How well does spinal manipulation work for low back pain?
How do you choose someone to do spinal manipulation?
What are the risks of spinal manipulation?
What other treatments are there besides spinal manipulation?
Home treatments
Why might you consider spinal manipulation?
2. Compare your options
Have spinal manipulation Use other treatment What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about spinal manipulation for low back pain
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have spinal manipulation Have spinal manipulation
Use other treatment Use other treatment
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Leaning toward
Undecided
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
More important
Equally important
More important
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
That's right. Most people with low back pain can get better with good home treatment like using heat or ice, staying active, and doing certain exercises. Other people may feel better when they try things like medicine, physical therapy, massage, mobilization, acupuncture, changing the way they do their activities, or getting cognitive behavioral therapy.
Correct. As with all treatments for back pain, this treatment works for some people but not for others.
That's correct. Spinal manipulation can work as well as other treatments for low back pain, whether the pain is new or has lasted a long time. But pain relief may only last for a short time.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits