What Is Chiropractic Treatment? Benefits, Costs and Safety

A visit to the chiropractor can be an effective approach to pain management, helping to reduce the need for prescription pain medication and even surgery. Every year about 35 million Americans seek chiropractic care to relieve musculoskeletal pain and improve joint function.¹

While chiropractors may be best known for treating back pain and neck pain, many people also turn to this form of holistic healthcare to get relief from headaches, arthritis and other neurological conditions.

This guide outlines the primary goals of chiropractic care, how the treatment works and which conditions may benefit most from a visit.

What Is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor, referred to as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), is a licensed healthcare practitioner trained to detect and treat neuromusculoskeletal disorders that affect the spine and nervous system. Using a combination of their hands and specialized instruments, they help restore spinal joint alignment and improve motion and posture.

Chiropractor vs. medical doctor

While chiropractors are not medical doctors, their education and training are extensive and comparable in rigor to traditional medical programs, with a particular focus on anatomy, neurology and physiology. They complete a five-year chiropractic doctoral program centered on spinal adjustments, biomechanics and radiology. Many chiropractors pursue additional certifications in specialties like pediatrics, sports performance or neurology. To practice, chiropractors must pass five national board exams as well as a state licensing exam.

What Do Chiropractors Do?

Chiropractic care is a holistic, non-invasive approach to managing musculoskeletal health that uses hands-on techniques rather than pharmaceuticals or surgical interventions. The science of chiropractic care is rooted in the harmonious relationship between the parts of the nervous system: the spine, brain and peripheral nerves. Your age, specific health condition, spinal location and comfort level will determine which techniques a chiropractor will use during your visit.

Types of treatment

The misalignment of a spinal joint, also called vertebral subluxation, can lead to an imbalance of the nervous system, causing pain, mobility issues and other health conditions. Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments to restore function and reduce pain by manually manipulating and realigning the spine.

Chiropractors use several different techniques to do this, including:

• Upper cervical, which is gentle corrections of the upper neck
• Use of a drop table for proper positioning
• Handheld mechanical instrument device to deliver precise impulses
• High velocity, low force, hands-on thrusts

Other types of chiropractic treatments can include massage therapy (including deep tissue massage), cold laser therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, ice or heat therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

What Do Chiropractors Treat?

Seeing a chiropractor is often the first course of treatment for chronic pain connected to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Patients also turn to chiropractors as a last-ditch effort when traditional medical interventions, such as pain medication and surgery, have not worked. Overall, the goal of chiropractic care is to help people feel better and live a more active life.

Chiropractic care is commonly used to treat the following conditions:

• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Chronic tension headaches
• Migraines
• Poor posture
• Mobility issues
• Sleep difficulties
• Digestive disorders
• Sports injuries
• Sciatica
• Limb joint pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Vertigo

How Do I Know If I Need a Chiropractor?

If you find yourself experiencing chronic back or neck pain, a visit to the chiropractor may be beneficial. Chiropractic treatment could also be warranted if your mobility has declined, you are recovering from an accident or injury, you have chronic headaches or trouble sleeping, or you experience frequent muscle soreness or pain from poor posture.

What to Expect at a Chiropractor Appointment

Your first visit to a chiropractor typically lasts 30 to 90 minutes and often includes both a consultation and detailed physical exam.

The doctor will ask you questions about your health and medical history, including your lifestyle, diet, exercise routine, current medications, and past and current health problems or injuries. For the physical exam, they will check your vitals (like blood pressure, height and weight), take X-rays to pinpoint causes of pain and test your spinal mobility and range of motion. They will also perform neurological, orthopedic and postural exams to assess the function of your physiology.

Based on that assessment, they will then create a customized treatment plan outlining the number of sessions you’ll need and the type of therapy or therapies most likely to address your specific needs and goals. Your chiropractor may also suggest exercises you can perform on your own to increase flexibility and range of motion.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Work?

The chiropractor’s hands are the primary tools used during a chiropractic adjustment. In fact, the word “chiropractic” is derived from the Greek word for “done by hand.”

To do an adjustment, the chiropractor performs a manual manipulation of the spinal joint or vertebra using quick, controlled movements applied with a small range of motion. The rapid thrusts help relieve nerve pressure, improve joint mobility and muscle relaxation.

You may hear a popping sound during a chiropractic adjustment. Many confuse this sound with bones cracking. Do not be alarmed; it’s actually just the sound of nitrogen gas being released from joint fluid, similar to cracking your knuckles.

You may be sore or stiff after a chiropractic adjustment, but this typically lasts a couple of days while your body is adjusting to its new alignment. Most people don’t experience any pain during a chiropractic treatment itself.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Under the care of a licensed and trained practitioner, chiropractic care is considered safe. A Doctor of Chiropractic is especially interested in knowing underlying health conditions that could make spinal adjustments unsafe, and will coordinate with a medical professional to ensure chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

Underlying health conditions include:

• Joint infection
• Recent or healing fractures
• Cancer

How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost?

The national average cost* of consulting with a chiropractor is $152, but that price can range from $121 to $281, depending on your home state.² This initial visit is typically more expensive than follow-ups because it involves a detailed examination and full medical history. Once a plan of care is established, the cost will depend on several factors, such as where you live, the type of treatment you receive and the length of your appointment.

The average cost* of a follow-up visit is $76, but that fee can run as low as $60 and as high as $140.²

Click here for average costs by state and additional pricing for specific treatments.

Is a Chiropractor Covered by Insurance?

Many health insurance plans include chiropractic care, but coverage can vary widely. Insurance plans may limit the number of visits per year and may only cover chiropractors in your insurance network. Some plans may only cover the adjustment, not subsequent X-rays.

Your insurance may also require that chiropractic treatments be considered medically necessary and that there be a reasonable expectation that your condition will improve.

How Can You Pay for Chiropractic Care?

There are several ways to pay for chiropractic care, depending on what your provider offers and your budget: Some pay up front with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others use an HSA/FSA (if eligible) or choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services.** If approved, you can make monthly payments (including promotional financing options where available); terms, approval and minimum monthly payments vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

A Natural Approach to Back and Neck Pain Relief

Chiropractic care offers a hands-on, non-invasive approach to managing pain and improving mobility. Whether you’re dealing with chronic back or neck pain, recovering from an injury or simply looking to move more comfortably, it may be worth exploring. Costs and coverage can vary, so it’s important to understand your insurance benefits and treatment plan ahead of time. With the right provider, chiropractic care can be a valuable part of your overall wellness routine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care

Still wondering if chiropractic care is a good fit for you? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Elizabeth Hoefer is the owner and founder of Well Connected Chiropractic in Mission Viejo, California. She currently serves as an instructor for the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society. Dr. Hoefer also holds the title of Director for Policy and Nominations for the California Chiropractic Association, where she plays a significant role in shaping policy, leadership development and the future direction of the profession in California and beyond. In addition, Dr. Hoefer serves as an adjunct faculty member at several respected institutions, including Life College of Chiropractic West, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Sherman College of Chiropractic and Southern California University of Health Sciences.

Author Bio

Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.