A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare provider who diagnoses and treats pain and dysfunction in your muscles, bones, and joints. Most people see one for lower back pain, neck pain, or headaches, but chiropractors treat musculoskeletal problems throughout the body, from jaw pain to ankle issues. They hold a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree and are trained to use hands-on techniques, primarily spinal adjustments, as their core treatment tool.
Conditions Chiropractors Treat
The most common reasons people visit a chiropractor are lower back pain, neck pain, muscle soreness, and headaches. But the scope goes well beyond those four. Chiropractors also work with patients dealing with arthritis, sciatica, whiplash recovery, joint dysfunction, and stiffness anywhere along the spine or in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.
The focus is on mechanical problems: joints that aren’t moving properly, muscles that are too tight or weak, and nerve irritation caused by structural issues. Chiropractors don’t prescribe medication or perform surgery. Their approach centers on restoring normal joint function and relieving pain through manual techniques, with the goal of helping your body work without drugs or invasive procedures.
What a Spinal Adjustment Actually Does
The signature chiropractic technique is the spinal adjustment, a quick, controlled push applied to a specific joint. It takes the joint just past its normal range of motion for a brief moment. That popping sound you hear is gas redistributing inside the fluid-filled joint capsule, not bones cracking.
The physical effects go beyond the pop. The adjustment changes the consistency of the lubricating fluid inside the joint, temporarily improves blood flow to the area, and loosens surrounding soft tissue. It also triggers neurological responses: pain signals can be dampened through the way the nervous system processes competing sensory input (the same reason rubbing a bumped elbow makes it hurt less), and muscle tension in the area often decreases. Some research suggests adjustments may also improve proprioception, your body’s sense of where it is in space, which matters for posture and coordination.
What Happens at a First Visit
Your initial appointment is largely diagnostic. The chiropractor will ask about your medical history, any past injuries, current symptoms, and treatments you’ve already tried. Then comes a physical exam that covers the basics (blood pressure, pulse, reflexes) along with more targeted tests looking at range of motion, muscle strength, muscle tone, and neurological function in the affected area. You may be asked to move in specific ways or stand for a posture analysis.
Imaging isn’t always necessary. X-rays are most useful when there’s been a recent injury, a suspected spinal deformity like scoliosis, or signs of an inflammatory joint condition. If the chiropractor suspects soft tissue damage, such as a disc problem or nerve compression, an MRI is more likely to be recommended. Many patients never need imaging at all.
After the exam, the chiropractor will explain what they found and propose a treatment plan. This typically involves a series of visits, especially early on, with adjustments spaced out more as symptoms improve.
What the Evidence Says About Headaches
Headaches are one of the top reasons people seek chiropractic care, but the research here is mixed. A 2025 systematic review looking at chiropractic spinal manipulation for tension headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic headaches (headaches originating from neck problems) found that manipulation was not clearly superior to sham treatments, control groups, or deep friction massage. Among five studies comparing manipulation to a sham procedure, only two found a significant reduction in headache days, and only one of three control-comparison studies showed shorter headache episodes.
That doesn’t mean chiropractic care is useless for headaches. Some patients do experience meaningful relief, particularly with cervicogenic headaches where neck dysfunction is clearly involved. But the evidence isn’t strong enough to say spinal manipulation consistently outperforms other hands-on therapies for headache conditions.
How Chiropractors Differ From Physical Therapists
Both chiropractors and physical therapists treat musculoskeletal pain, and they even share some tools like ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation. The difference is in philosophy and primary technique. Chiropractors focus on joint mechanics, especially in the spine, and use manual adjustments as their main intervention. Physical therapists focus more on movement patterns and prescribe targeted exercises you do independently between appointments.
Chiropractic care also tends to take a broader wellness view, often incorporating nutrition guidance, stress management, and lifestyle recommendations alongside joint work. Physical therapy is typically more goal-oriented toward restoring specific functional abilities, like regaining range of motion after surgery or learning to move without pain. PT courses of treatment usually last a few weeks to a few months, with a home exercise program running alongside clinic visits. Chiropractic care can follow a similar timeline for acute issues but sometimes involves ongoing periodic visits for maintenance.
Neither is universally “better.” The right choice depends on whether your problem is primarily about joint mechanics (chiropractor) or movement rehabilitation (physical therapist), and many patients benefit from both.
Training and Licensing Requirements
Chiropractors complete a Doctor of Chiropractic program that runs roughly 10 to 12 consecutive terms of full-time study. At Southern California University of Health Sciences, for example, the DC program is 215.5 credit hours and includes a minimum of 1,170 hours of supervised clinical work. Some states, like Florida, also require a bachelor’s degree before entering chiropractic school.
To practice, chiropractors must pass a four-part national board examination and meet state-specific licensing requirements, which can include background checks and additional certifications for specialized techniques. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 U.S. states, and the profession is regulated by state chiropractic boards that set standards for practice scope and continuing education.
Other Techniques Beyond Adjustments
While spinal adjustments are the hallmark, most chiropractors use additional treatment methods. These can include soft tissue therapy (manual work on muscles and tendons), ultrasound to promote tissue healing, electrical muscle stimulation to reduce spasm, and laser therapy for inflammation. Some chiropractors are also certified in dry needling, which involves inserting thin needles into trigger points to release muscle tension. In Florida, that certification requires 24 to 40 hours of in-person training plus a practical exam, depending on prior credentials.
Many chiropractors also prescribe stretches and corrective exercises, recommend ergonomic changes to your workstation or sleeping position, and provide guidance on physical activity. The adjustment itself is often just one piece of a broader plan.