What Is Chiropractic?
Learn how chiropractic assessment and treatment may help you understand musculoskeletal pain, improve movement and return to the activities you value.
Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Adam Gavine, BHK, M. Chiropractic
Original Published: June 2019
Updated On: June 2026
If back pain, neck discomfort or restricted movement is making work, exercise or everyday life more difficult, you may be considering chiropractic care. But what is chiropractic, what does a chiropractor actually do, and how can you tell whether it is appropriate for your concern?
Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession focused primarily on assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions—problems involving the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and related nervous-system structures.
Although spinal manipulation is one technique chiropractors may use, contemporary chiropractic care can involve much more than an “adjustment”. A thorough consultation may also include movement assessment, soft-tissue treatment, exercise prescription, load management and practical advice about returning to activity.
The aim is not simply to focus on where it hurts. A useful assessment looks for the factors that may be contributing to the problem and identifies an appropriate, individual care pathway.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
A chiropractor assesses how your musculoskeletal system is functioning and whether changes in joint movement, muscle capacity, physical loading or movement patterns may be contributing to your symptoms.
Depending on the patient and presenting concern, an assessment may consider:
The location, behaviour and history of your symptoms
Joint mobility and range of movement
Muscle strength, flexibility and coordination
Posture and movement patterns
Previous injuries or recurring problems
Exercise, sporting and occupational demands
Relevant lifestyle and recovery factors
Neurological or orthopaedic findings
Indicators that require medical investigation or referral
This process is important because similar symptoms can have different causes. Lower-back pain after a sudden increase in training, for example, may require a different approach from persistent pain associated with reduced activity, poor recovery or a previous injury.
Why Do Musculoskeletal Problems Develop?
Pain is rarely explained by a single joint being “out of place”. Musculoskeletal symptoms are often influenced by several overlapping factors.
Changes in physical load
Your body adapts to the demands placed upon it. Problems can develop when the amount, intensity or frequency of an activity increases faster than the body can accommodate.
This may occur after:
Starting a new exercise program
Increasing running distance or training intensity
Returning to sport after a break
Repeating the same work task for long periods
Lifting an unfamiliar or unexpectedly heavy load
Training without adequate recovery
Too little movement can also reduce physical capacity. A person who spends much of the week sitting may find that their body is less prepared for a demanding weekend activity.
Previous injury
An old injury does not automatically cause future pain, but it can sometimes influence strength, confidence, joint movement or the way an activity is performed. A complete assessment should consider previous injuries without assuming that every current symptom is caused by past tissue damage.
Work and everyday movement
Prolonged sitting, repetitive manual work and sustained positions may contribute to discomfort in some people. The position itself is not always the problem; how long it is maintained, how often it is repeated and whether the person has opportunities to move can be equally important.
Sleep, stress and recovery
Pain is a real physical experience, but it is also affected by sleep, stress, general health and previous experiences of pain. These factors can influence sensitivity, recovery and a person’s ability to tolerate physical load.
This does not mean the pain is “all in your head”. It means effective care may need to look beyond a single muscle or joint.
How Does Chiropractic Treatment Work?
Chiropractic treatment is intended to support movement, function and symptom management. The specific approach should depend on the assessment findings, your preferences and what is clinically appropriate.
Manual therapy and joint manipulation
Manual therapy may include joint mobilisation or spinal manipulation. These techniques apply a controlled movement or force to a joint and may help some patients experience short-term improvements in pain or mobility.
You may hear a popping sound during a manipulation. This is generally associated with pressure changes and gas movement within the joint—not bones being put back into place.
Manipulation is not compulsory and is not suitable for every patient or every condition. Your chiropractor should explain the proposed technique, its potential benefits and risks, available alternatives, and obtain your consent before proceeding.
Soft-tissue treatment
Muscles, fascia and tendons may also contribute to pain or restricted movement. Depending on your needs, care may incorporate soft-tissue techniques such as myofascial release or Active Release Techniques®.
These methods may be used to address areas of muscular tension, sensitivity or reduced tissue mobility as part of a broader rehabilitation plan.
Exercise and rehabilitation
Exercise is frequently one of the most important parts of managing a musculoskeletal condition. A rehabilitation program may focus on:
Restoring comfortable movement
Improving strength and physical capacity
Increasing confidence in an affected area
Gradually returning to work, sport or recreation
Reducing the likelihood of repeated overload
The appropriate exercise depends on the individual. A movement that helps one person may be unsuitable or need modification for another.
Education and practical advice
Understanding your condition can make it less confronting and help you take an active role in recovery. Advice may cover pacing, movement breaks, training volume, workstation habits, sleep, recovery and how to remain active without unnecessarily aggravating symptoms.
For chronic primary lower-back pain, the World Health Organization recommends person-centred care that may combine education, exercise and selected physical therapies, including spinal manipulative therapy, when appropriate. Importantly, the guideline favours a combination of suitable interventions rather than relying on one isolated treatment. Read the WHO guideline on non-surgical management of chronic lower-back pain.
A 2024 review of clinical practice guidelines also found that exercise, remaining active and spinal manipulation appear across recommendations for different stages of non-specific lower-back pain. However, recommendations and expected benefits vary, reinforcing the need for individual assessment rather than universal treatment claims. Read the peer-reviewed guideline review in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.
What Conditions Do Chiropractors Commonly Assess?
People commonly consult chiropractors about musculoskeletal concerns such as:
Lower-back pain
Neck pain and stiffness
Restricted joint movement
Some types of musculoskeletal headache
Sports-related injuries
Muscle strains and joint sprains
Overuse-related discomfort
Work-related aches and movement difficulties
Rehabilitation following an injury
A consultation does not guarantee that chiropractic treatment will be recommended. The purpose of assessment is to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is a suitable option.
Is Chiropractic Appropriate for Everyone?
No single form of care is appropriate for every person or condition. A responsible chiropractor should screen for circumstances in which treatment needs to be modified, postponed or replaced by medical assessment.
Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as:
Sudden or progressive weakness
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Numbness around the groin or saddle region
Severe pain following significant trauma
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Fever, unexplained weight loss or significant systemic illness
A sudden, unusually severe headache
New problems with speech, balance, vision or consciousness
If examination findings suggest that another practitioner is better placed to manage your concern, you should be referred to an appropriate GP, specialist or allied-health professional.
What to Expect at Back To Function
At Back To Function, care begins with an assessment rather than a predetermined treatment package. Your initial chiropractic consultation allows time to understand your symptoms, health history, daily activities and goals.
Where clinically indicated, the physical assessment may examine:
Movement and range of motion
Joint and soft-tissue function
Strength and physical capacity
Orthopaedic or neurological findings
Sporting, work or lifestyle demands
Dr Adam Gavine will discuss the findings in plain language and outline suitable next steps. Depending on your needs and preferences, recommendations may include chiropractic manual therapy, Active Release Techniques®, myofascial treatment, Kinesio Taping, exercise rehabilitation, load-management advice or referral for further investigation.
Shock wave therapy may be considered for certain appropriately assessed musculoskeletal and tendon conditions. It is not automatically required and should only be recommended when relevant to the clinical presentation.
The overall objective is to help you understand the factors contributing to your concern and develop a practical plan for improving function—not merely provide temporary attention to the painful area.
Practical Steps You Can Take Now
While you arrange an assessment, several general strategies may help you manage many uncomplicated musculoskeletal concerns:
Continue comfortable activity rather than automatically resting completely
Change position regularly during desk or sedentary work
Avoid sudden, large increases in training volume
Break demanding tasks into manageable periods
Prioritise sleep and recovery
Note which movements improve or aggravate your symptoms
Seek professional advice if pain is severe, worsening or persistent
These suggestions are general and may not suit every condition. If you are unsure whether movement is appropriate, consult a qualified health practitioner.
Ready to Better Understand Your Pain or Movement Concern?
Chiropractic care should be collaborative, transparent and adapted to the individual. A useful consultation helps you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms, what treatment options are available and what you can do between appointments to support your recovery.
If back, neck, joint or activity-related discomfort is limiting your day, book an initial chiropractic consultation with Dr Adam Gavine at Back To Function.
Appointments are available for patients from Mona Vale, Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the Central Coast. Call 0468 749 223, email adam@backtofunction.com.au, or use the online booking page to arrange an assessment.
This article provides general health information and is not a substitute for individual healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr Adam Gavine, BHK, M.Chiro, is the Director and Chiropractor at Back To Function. He has more than 19 years of clinical experience and a special interest in sports rehabilitation, musculoskeletal function and soft-tissue health.
Adam is a full-body certified Active Release Techniques® (ART) provider—one of only a handful in Australia—and co-founder of the Wasabi Method, a shockwave therapy education and clinical partnership. He is currently completing a PhD at the University of Sydney and provides care to patients across Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the Central Coast.
READ MORE
The Beauty of Back Pain — Understanding how movement beyond the painful area may influence back pain
Neck Pain — Common contributors to neck discomfort and practical management considerations
The Detrimental Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle — How reduced movement may affect physical capacity and health
What Is Tendinopathy and What Can I Do About It? — Understanding tendon overload, rehabilitation and management
