What Chiropractic Does Not Treat

Clear Boundaries. Professional Standards. Patient Safety.


At Adjusting to Health, Chiropractic care is applied selectively and responsibly. We believe one of the most important parts of ethical healthcare is being clear about what we do not treat.

Chiropractic is not a cure-all. It is a specific, evidence-based approach focused the spine and nervous system.


While Chiropractic can be appropriate for many conditions, it is not suitable for everything. Knowing when not to treat is just as important as knowing when to. This page outlines situations where Chiropractic care may not be appropriate and when referral to another healthcare professional is best.

Why This Matters

Healthcare works best when each profession stays within its scope. We believe trust is built by being honest about limitations, setting clear boundaries, and prioritising patient safety over convenience or conversion.

In reality, modern evidence-informed Chiropractic requires exclusion first.

Before Chiropractic care is recommended, our doctors rule out red flags through our Health Blueprint™ process


This approach aligns with published clinical guidance on spinal manipulation safety and appropriateness (Bronfort et al., 2008; Cassidy et al., 2008). If Chiropractic care is not appropriate for you, we will tell you and help guide you toward the right next step.

Conditions Chiropractic Does Not Treat

Chiropractic care is not intended to diagnose or treat:


  • Medical emergencies
  • Hand, wrist or foot pain
  • Fractures or dislocated shoulders
  • Infections or systemic disease
  • Cancer-related pain or pathology
  • Acute internal organ conditions


If any of these are suspected, immediate referral to a GP, emergency department, or specialist is essential.

When Symptoms Are Not Mechanical


Many people are unaware that pain can originate from non-mechanical or systemic causes.


Symptoms that may indicate this include:

Pain Unrelated To Movement Or Position

Night Pain That Does Not Ease With Rest

Unexplained Weight Loss

Fever Or Systemic Illness


If findings suggest these patterns, Chiropractic care is not started.


Instead, patients are referred to their GP or appropriate specialist for further investigation.

Chiropractic Is Not Symptom Suppression


Another reason we are selective is that Chiropractic is not designed to:


  • Target Pain (rather the underlying cause that's causing it)
  • Replace Medication that treats systemic disorders
  • Provide temporary relief only


Pain is now recognised as both a sensory and emotional experience, not just tissue damage (IASP, 2020).


Removing pain without addressing function does not equal recovery.


That’s why we assess movement, neurological input, and spinal mechanics before recommending care.


Why This Selective Approach Improves Outcomes


Research consistently shows that outcomes improve when care is:

  • Appropriate
  • Targeted
  • Based On Clear Clinical Findings


This is one of the reasons Chiropractic care has been associated with:

  • Reduced Opioid Use
  • Lower Rates Of Surgery
  • Lower Healthcare Costs


(Cifuentes et al., 2011; Goertz et al., 2018; Trager et al., 2024)


When Chiropractic Is Best


Chiropractic care is most effective when symptoms are linked to:


  • Spinal Joint Dysfunction
  • Reduced Movement Or Stiffness
  • Postural Strain
  • Chronic Or Recurrent Back And Neck Pain
  • Headaches And Migraines


This is where evidence supporting Chiropractic care is strongest,
particularly for lower back pain (Bishop et al., 2010; Haas et al., 2014; Goertz et al., 2018).

The Bottom Line


If Chiropractic is not right for your condition, we will tell you.

We don't want a practice full of patients that aren't getting results and aren't happy.


If it's not appropriate, rest assured we'll be the first to tell you.

This is part of our responsibility as healthcare providers.


If you're ready to take the first step towards safe and effective relief, our professional team is ready.

References


Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (2023). Chiropractic Board of Australia: Code of Conduct. Available at: https://www.chiropracticboard.gov.au


Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R. and Bouter, L. (2004). Efficacy of spinal manipulation and mobilization for low back pain and neck pain: A systematic review and best evidence synthesis. Spine Journal, 4(3), pp.335–356.


Bronfort, G., et al. (2008). Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with spinal manipulation and mobilization. Spine Journal, 8(1), pp.213–225.


Dagenais, S., Gay, R.E., Freeman, M.D. (2010). NASS contemporary concepts in spine care: spinal manipulation therapy for low back pain. Spine Journal, 10(10), pp.918–940.


Haldeman, S., Carroll, L., Cassidy, J.D., Schubert, J. and Nygren, Å. (2008). The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine, 33(4 Suppl), pp.S5–S7.


Haldeman, S., Kohlbeck, F.J. and McGregor, M. (2002). Unpredictability of cerebrovascular ischemia associated with cervical spine manipulation. Spine, 27(1), pp.49–55.


National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2016). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59). London: NICE.


National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (2022). Australian Clinical Guidelines for Low Back Pain. Canberra: Australian Government.


World Health Organization (WHO) (2005). WHO Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Chiropractic. Geneva: World Health Organization.


Waddell, G. (2004). The Back Pain Revolution. 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.