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Chiropractic is a primary health-
However, manipulation alone is not considered effective in resolving and managing
the pain. The best results are achieved when it is combined with exercise and life-
Whereas chiropractic does not generally involve the use of drugs we recognise the
benefit of certain painkilling and anti-
The spinal column is a very complex structure consisting of 24 vertebrae stacked on top of each other connected by 23 discs and 51 joints.
25 pairs of spinal nerves each exit (in most cases) through a narrow canal formed by two adjacent vertebrae. Each nerve supplies an area of the skin with sensation and conveys information to and from muscles and internal organs.
Mechanical, degenerative and disc problems can cause local discomfort and may also interfere with the nerve’s function causing pain, altered sensation, weak muscles in the trunk, arms or legs. Physiological changes may also occur in the internal organs.
Many joints will, like the spine, respond well to chiropractic treatment. Whether you have sustained an acute injury or you are suffering from chronic pain it is likely that chiropractic can ease your discomfort.
As a result of the considerable scientific body of evidence regarding chiropractic
care (spinal manipulation), international clinical guidelines in both Europe and
North America recommend spinal manipulation as a first "line of defence" in treating
spinal conditions. Major clinical studies comparing chiropractic care of spinal ailments
with other commonly used treatments have been carried out in the UK and published
in the British Medical Journal. These studies have proven that chiropractic care
provides excellent results and is also cost-
GP guidelines also recommend referral for complementary treatment such as chiropractic if their management has not resolved the problem within 3 weeks or immediately if the condition has been present for more than 4 weeks when first presenting.
In March 2006 The General Practitioners Committee published the Guidance for Referral
to Complementary Therapists. To view it click here (PDF -
The General Chiropractic Council published a flowchart for the GP Care Pathway. This
can be found here (PDF -
The guidelines on management of low back pain published in May 2009 by the National
Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends up to 12 weeks of manual therapy
including manipulation. The institute discourages the taking of x-
The NICE published quick reference guide can be found here (PDF -
The Primary Care Pathway for Musculoskeletal Disorders published in 2003 by the Institute
for Musculoskeletal Research and Clinical Implementation (IMRCI) is here (PDF -
The European Guidelines for the Management of Acute Nonspecific Low Back Pain In
Primary Care are here (PDF -
"...chiropractic has been demonstrated to be more effective for the management of
lower back pain than conventional hospital outpatient care"
British Medical Journal, 2004.
"...spinal manipulation is a cost effective addition to "best care" for back pain"
British Medical Journal, 2004.
"...patients receiving chiropractic care for lower back pain were more satisfied
with their care than patients receiving hospital outpatient care"
British Medical
Journal, 1995.
Chiropractors are regulated by the the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
The legal framework within which chiropractors practise in the UK is comprehensive
and, therefore, very detailed. It consists of the Chiropractors Act 1994 (the primary
legislation) and 15 associated Statutory Instruments, commonly called 'the Rules'
(the secondary legislation).
Chiropractors have to comply with a variety of other
more general legal requirements, for example health and safety and data protection.
More detailed information regarding the practice of chiropractic can be found on
www.gcc-
