Clinical: Complementary Medicine - Evidence on effects of spinal manipulation.

Chiropractic and osteopathy may be of limited help in back pain, argues Professor Edzard Ernst.

The UK General Chiropractic Council defines chiropractic as a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on nervous system function and general health.

Misalignment or 'subluxation' of vertebral joints exerts pressure on nerves, which is seen as a main cause of disease. Correction of misalignment is thus viewed as a way of restoring health.

Differing techniques

Chiropractic spinal manipulation often entails high-velocity, low amplitude manual thrusts applied to spinal joints, which extend them slightly beyond …