Chiropractic treatment techniques
Neuromusculoskeletal disorders
### Neuromusculoskeletal disorders

Treatment is usually for neck or low back pain and related disorders.

For acute low back pain, low quality evidence has suggested no difference between real and sham spine manipulation, and moderate quality evidence has suggested no difference between spine manipulation and other commonly used treatments, such as medication and physical therapy.

National guidelines vary; some recommend the therapy for those who do not improve with other treatment. It may be effective for [lumbar](/wiki/Lumbar_vertebrae "Lumbar vertebrae") [disc herniation](/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation "Spinal disc herniation") with [radiculopathy](/wiki/Radiculopathy "Radiculopathy"), as effective as mobilization for neck pain, some forms of headache, and some extremity joint conditions. A 2011 Cochrane review found strong evidence that suggests there is no clinically meaningful difference between spinal manipulation therapy and other treatments for reducing pain and improving function for chronic low back pain. A 2008 review found that with the possible exception of lower back pain, chiropractic manipulation has not been shown to be effective for any medical condition.


How does the effectiveness of spinal manipulation vary depending on individual circumstances?