You may be adjusted while standing, sitting, lying down or in combination – it depends on your symptoms and the judgement of your chiropractor. You can sometimes hear a clicking or clunking sound as the spinal joints are adjusted, but this is usually painless.

There are a number of different methods of adjustments that use various degrees of hand pressure and specialised equipment, including:

• Using the hands to press or push
• Positioning the body to use gravity and the body’s own weight
• Using mechanical instruments
• Placing wedges under the body and using the body’s own weight
• Using specialised adjusting tables to assist the adjustments
• Using slow and sustained hand pressure or swifter movements.

Chiropractic treatment for disorders

Research supports the use of chiropractic for a range of disorders, including:

• Back injuries
• Headaches
• Lower back pain
• Migraines
• Period pain
• Problems with posture
• Sciatica (shooting pains in the leg)
• Problems with other joints such as the knees, shoulders, feet and hands.

The experience of some chiropractors and some studies also show that chiropractic management may help other conditions. However, more research is needed in this area.

Special considerations in chiropractic

If you have specific health conditions or other issues, the chiropractor will take them into account when deciding on your treatment. These assessments help the chiropractor to evaluate any special needs you may have and to ensure your safety and comfort during treatment.

These issues may include:

• Whether you have signs of or diagnosed arthritis
• Any suspected or recent fractures, bone breaks or trauma
• Disorders of the circulation
• Whether you are, or have recently been, pregnant
• Your body size
• Your age – whether you are young, elderly or frail
• The medication that you are taking
• Previous treatment, including operations.

Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners, which means they are trained to recognise when their treatment is appropriate and when a person needed to be referred to another healthcare practitioner.