You’ve seen videos on social media or experienced it yourself: the loud clicking sound that can occur during a chiropractic adjustment.
For some people, the thought of spinal adjustments is unsettling to say the least. For others, the crack or pop is a sweet sound of pain relief.
Most people who seek chiropractic care want to relieve pain in the body. And chiropractic care has become increasingly popular in recent years, due in part to increasing interest in alternative pain therapies that do not require surgery or medication.
“People are now looking and realizing that if they can manage their pain without a pill, they may be able to gain better control of their lives, because when you mask a problem, it tends to come back and you end up with chronic pain,” said Sherry McAllister, DC, MS, CCSP, president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress.
Today, more than one in four people in the United States live with chronic pain – and more women than men suffer from chronic pain.
Given the high prevalence of chronic pain and the increasing interest in chiropractic care, is chiropractic effective in treating chronic pain?
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a licensed healthcare profession that uses non-surgical, drug-free methods to assess, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions – the most common being headaches, neck pain and back pain.
“But chiropractic care is about more than just your neck and back – it’s truly about holistic care,” McAllister said.
During your first visit to a licensed chiropractor, he or she will perform a physical examination, take your medical history, and work to diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan.
Treatments typically include manual therapies such as spinal manipulations that realign the joints to relieve pain and increase mobility (also known as “back cracking”), stretches and exercises, and nutritional counseling as part of a holistic health approach.
McAllister said chiropractic care is also preventative. “There are certain things we can do to relieve pain, but ultimately the chiropractor’s best job – much like a dentist – is to prevent pain before it even occurs.”
Preventive measures can include routine adjustments, spinal misalignment treatment, posture corrections, and long-term health measures to prevent injuries and chronic problems before they occur.
Chiropractic care and chronic pain
Chronic pain – pain that lasts longer than three to six months – is complex and can affect all aspects of everyday life.
Although research shows that chiropractic care can help with some acute pain, there are limited studies looking at the effectiveness of chiropractic care for chronic pain.
“Chiropractic treatment, particularly spinal manipulation therapy, has shown some short-term benefit in adults with acute low back pain, including women, although the overall effect tends to be modest and temporary,” said Jessica Oswald, MD, MPH, a
Pain Management Specialist at UC San Diego. “The American College of Physicians lists spinal manipulation as one of the recommended non-pharmacologic options for acute low back pain.”
Additionally, a 2025 report published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery supported spinal manipulation therapy as a conservative treatment for low back pain – including chronic cases. However, studies of spinal manipulation have found little or conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness for pain relief from headaches, neck pain, and extremity problems.
Oswald pointed out that chiropractic manipulations are generally safe. However, when considering it, keep in mind that long-term benefits may be limited and the cost of chiropractic treatments, which may or may not be covered by insurance, may be high.
People with certain illnesses such as connective tissue diseases and vascular diseases should also not seek chiropractic care. Therefore, it is important to discuss your medical history before attempting manual therapies.
Chiropractic treatment and chronic pain in women
Research shows that women are more likely to report higher pain intensity compared to men. And the risk of both chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain, which is pain that interferes with your daily life, is higher in women.
Women tend to have greater sensory awareness and a more emotional connection to physical touch, which Oswald said could increase the benefits of manual therapies in chiropractic.
“Although few studies have analyzed outcomes by gender, it is plausible that the therapeutic context, patient-provider interaction, and tactile component of chiropractic care may contribute to a more positive treatment experience for some women,” Oswald said.
A very small study of 15 women with chronic low back pain found that joint bracing/taping, also called kinesiology taping, as part of chiropractic treatment resulted in pain relief and improved function.
McAllister pointed out that chiropractic’s personalized approach results in women having more personalized treatment options for pain. “Early intervention can be crucial to prevent acute pain from developing into chronic pain, particularly in women who may be more vulnerable to persistent discomfort due to hormonal, emotional and social factors,” she said.
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If you live in pain, you have options
McAllister’s personal experience with chiropractic as a young woman shaped her desire to become part of the healthcare profession. She was in college when she was in a car accident that left her with debilitating headaches and neck pain.
After six months of physical therapy and medication, it was chiropractic that finally worked for her. “I think people get into a situation where they start to lose hope… and I never want anyone else with chronic pain to ever lose hope because chiropractic care changed my life,” she said.
No two people with chronic pain are the same. What works for one person may not work for another, but for some people with chronic pain, there are options beyond taking prescription medications and having surgery.
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