Chiropractic is a complementary and alternative health care profession which focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, their effects on the nervous system and general health. Chiropractors believe that spinal joint misalignments called subluxations, interfere with the body's self-regulating mechanisms via the nervous system resulting in bodily dysfunction.

A chiropractor may specialize in treating low back problems or sports injuries, or may combine chiropractic with manipulation of the extremities, physiotherapy, nutrition, or exercises to increase spinal strength or improve overall health. He/she may also use other complementary and alternative methods as a part of a holistic treatment approach. Chiropractors are not trained or licensed to prescribe drugs or perform surgery. They are trained to recognize signs of cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases and refer these patients to medical physicians for specialized or concomitant care.

While there is evidence that spinal manipulation can be effective against acute low back pain and tension headaches, many other claims concerning health benefits are anecdotal and either lack support from or are refuted by objective controlled trials.McCrory DC, et al. Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache. Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center, Durham, North Carolina, January 2001 available online (PDF format) Ernst E (2006) A systematic review of systematic reviews of spinal manipulation J R Soc Med 99:192-6 name=Balon> Jeffrey Balon, M.D. A Comparison of Active and Simulated Chiropractic Manipulation as Adjunctive Treatment for Childhood Asthma. New England Journal of Medicine. Volume 339:1013-1020, October 8, 1998, Number 15 [http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/339/15/1013 available online

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