Is Chiropractic Treatment Right for Your Back Pain?

June 10, 2025

A chiropractor adjusting his male patient’s upper back

Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. When pain and discomfort persist, you might wonder whether you should see a chiropractor, a primary care doctor, a physical therapist or an orthopedic specialist.

“A lot of people are confused on where to start for back pain,” says Robert Trager, DC, a chiropractor at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health. “Chiropractors have the expertise to diagnose and treat or refer patients with back pain, making them a great starting point.”

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is on the rise. In 2022, about 11 percent of U.S. adults received chiropractic care in the past year, compared to about 7.4 percent in 2002, according to federal data.

“Evidence supports chiropractic spinal manipulation for lower back pain, neck pain and certain types of headaches,” says Dr. Trager. “Those are three of the most common conditions that we treat and the conditions for which manipulation is most often recommended by clinical practice guidelines.”

Chiropractic care often includes spinal manipulation, a hands-on or instrument-assisted application of controlled force to joints of the spine. This treatment can be tailored to each patient, with some patients requiring or preferring a gentler force than others. Chiropractors also use therapies to address muscle tightness and related pain, and may recommend exercises or give advice for home care.

Common conditions that may benefit from chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation and other therapies, are:

Low back pain
Sciatica
Neck pain
Tension headaches
Various sports-related injuries
Other joint pain

The Case for Chiropractic Care

Research has shown that spinal manipulation not only reduces pain for some patients—it may also help with function and quality of life. “At the end of the day, it’s not all about pain. It’s also about how people function and get through their day and do the things they want to do,” says Dr. Trager.

Large studies have shown that chiropractic care is associated with lower use of prescription pain medications, fewer opioid-related adverse events such as overdoses, and lower rates of back surgery and reoperation.

“We found that people who received spinal manipulation for lower back pain were less likely to be prescribed certain opioid medications and less likely to have certain types of back surgery than people who did not receive the treatment,” says Dr. Trager.

It’s not clear, however, whether the association reflects differences in people who seek chiropractic care. “There is a potential benefit with respect to medications and surgery, but we’re not exactly sure why. Is it related to pain relief due to the manipulation itself, the overall care or some other factor?”

Beyond Spinal Manipulation

Many patients who seek chiropractic care have chronic or recurring spinal pain, which can be due to occupational reasons, whether it be manual labor or sitting in front of a computer. Others have pain from traumatic injury, sports-related injuries or chronic illnesses. Chiropractors can order imaging and lab tests when needed and place referrals to ensure patients are getting the best care for their condition.

A 2017 review of scientific studies showed serious side effects of spinal manipulation are rare. Side effects such as stiffness, discomfort or pain after spinal manipulation tend to be mild and resolve after 24 hours.

Not all back problems are appropriate for chiropractic manipulation. The therapy is not for patients with serious neurological or musculoskeletal issues like recent fractures. A chiropractor will evaluate new patients to determine whether they are a good candidate. Chiropractors commonly collaborate in patient care with primary care doctors, pain specialists, physical therapists, physiatrists and other specialists.

“Most patients with non-serious spinal pain are good candidates to see a chiropractor,” he says. Chiropractic treatment may be more beneficial when combined with other measures, such as home exercises and physical therapy.