About Chiropractic and Osteopathy
9th September 2026
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If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain for months or years, you might wonder if a chiropractor can help. The good news is that recent research shows chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for many types of chronic pain. While your chiropractor might not completely “fix” your pain, they can help reduce your symptoms and improve how you move and feel every day.
Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide. When your pain lasts longer than three months, it becomes what doctors call “chronic.” This type of pain can make simple daily activities feel impossible. Many people with chronic pain wonder if chiropractic care might help them feel better.
Recent studies from 2023 and 2024 show promising results for chiropractic treatment of chronic pain. A major review found that spinal manipulation produces similar effects to other recommended therapies for chronic low back pain. This means your chiropractor’s treatments work just as well as other approved medical treatments.
Research from 2024 shows that chiropractic care can influence inflammatory markers in your body. When you have chronic pain, your body often has increased inflammation. Chiropractic adjustments may help reduce this inflammation, which could explain why you feel better after treatment.
Your chiropractor uses several techniques to help with your chronic pain. The most common treatment is spinal manipulation, also called an adjustment. Studies show that adding spinal manipulation to exercise therapy was more effective than exercise alone for chronic low back pain with leg pain.
When you visit your chiropractor, they don’t just focus on where your pain is located. Research shows that thoracic spine manipulation was effective in reducing pain and neck disability in adults with chronic neck pain. This means your chiropractor might work on your mid-back to help with your neck pain.
Your chiropractor may also combine different treatments. A 2023 study found that spinal manipulation added to exercise was more effective than exercise alone for improving pain and quality of life. This shows that your best results might come from combining chiropractic care with other healthy activities.
Clinical practice guidelines from the past decade show that 90% favor spinal manipulation for low back pain while 100% favor it for neck pain. This means medical experts around the world recommend chiropractic care for these common pain problems.
Your chiropractor can help with:
A 2024 study with 186 participants showed that different types of spinal manipulations can help reduce pain intensity and disability in people with chronic neck pain. This research was done on people who had pain for over 12 weeks, just like many patients with chronic pain.
Yes, where your chiropractor applies treatment matters. Recent research shows that targeting the right segment for spinal manipulation matters – it produces more neurological effects when applied to dysfunctional segments than non-dysfunctional ones.
This means your chiropractor needs to carefully examine you to find the right spots to treat. Your injury might start in one area, but your chiropractor might need to treat other areas too. This is why your chiropractor examines your whole spine, not just where your pain is located.
Safety is always important when you’re dealing with chronic pain. A large study looking at 960,140 spinal manipulation sessions found only 39 adverse events, with just two serious ones. This shows that chiropractic care is very safe when performed by trained professionals.
People who see a chiropractor for low back pain have 64% lower odds of receiving opioid prescriptions compared to those who don’t use chiropractic care. This means chiropractic care might help you avoid potentially addictive pain medications.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that after 12 weeks, about 57% of people who received chiropractic care reported at least 75% pain reduction, compared to 33% in the medication group. Even better, after one year, 53% of people who received drug-free treatments continued to report significant pain reduction, compared to just 38% in the medication group.
Research also shows that starting your care with a chiropractor saves 20 to 40% on healthcare costs compared to starting with a medical doctor. This means chiropractic care might not only help your pain but also save you money.
Your chiropractor will likely recommend a series of treatments, not just one visit. Studies typically use 8-12 sessions of treatment to see the best results. Your symptoms didn’t develop overnight, and they won’t disappear after one treatment.
Your chiropractor might also give you exercises to do at home. Research shows that combining spinal manipulation with exercise therapy gives better results than either treatment alone. This means your recovery involves both what happens in your chiropractor’s office and what you do at home.
Research clearly shows that chiropractic care can help with many types of chronic pain. While your chiropractor might not completely eliminate your pain, they can help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your best results will likely come from combining chiropractic treatments with other healthy activities like exercise.
The evidence supports chiropractic care as a safe, effective option for chronic pain that works as well as other recommended treatments. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, talking to a chiropractor about your symptoms could be an important step toward feeling better.
Scott has more than 20 years of clinical experience as a movement expert and musculoskeletal health professional. His thorough understanding of how pain affects your spine, joints, muscles, and total well-being is the result of significant academic study and many many years of clinical experience. Scott’s real interest in movement mechanics enables him to develop individualised care plans that summarise complex problems into clear, simple treatments, leading to quicker healing times. His friendly, attentive approach ensures that you not only comprehend but also feel supported throughout your treatment journey, allowing you to return to the things you like with restored confidence and vitality.
