Chiropractic is a hands-on therapy that uses techniques such as massage and stretching to try to keep bones, joints and muscles healthy, and chiropractors treat a range of muscle, bone and joint problems. Chiropractic is not widely available on the NHS, so most people pay privately or through health insurance. By law, anyone calling themselves a chiropractor in the UK must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
Get urgent help if...
The NHS advises you to call 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain and:
- pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in both legs
- a loss of feeling around your genitals or anus
- changes in your bladder or bowels, such as difficulty peeing, or peeing or pooing yourself
- changes in how your penis or vagina feels during sex, not being able to get or keep an erection, or not being able to orgasm
- chest pain
- it started after a serious accident, such as a car accident
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have back pain and you feel hot, cold, shivery or generally unwell, or it is severe pain that starts suddenly or is getting worse quickly.
What a chiropractor does
The NHS describes chiropractic as using massage and stretching to try to keep bones, joints and muscles healthy. The General Chiropractic Council describes chiropractors as qualified and skilled healthcare professionals, but notes that they are not medical doctors.
For back pain that is not getting better after a few weeks, the NHS lists manual therapy as one possible treatment. It describes this as a trained therapist massaging and moving the muscles, bones and joints in your back.
Is chiropractic safe for me?
The NHS says chiropractic may not be safe for you if:
- you are taking blood thinning medicines or are at increased risk of bleeding or stroke
- you have bones or joints that are very weak or seriously damaged
- you have a condition that affects your nerves, such as peripheral neuropathy
Tell the chiropractor about any medical conditions you have and any medicines or other treatments you are having. The NHS also advises asking a GP about symptoms that do not go away or keep coming back, rather than only talking to a therapist.
NHS or private
The General Chiropractic Council says chiropractic is not widely available on the NHS, and most people who have it pay privately or through health insurance. You do not need a GP referral to see a chiropractor.
Costs vary by location and type of practice. The GCC says fees should be explained and agreed in advance, and you should not be asked to pay significant up-front costs.
If your back or joint pain is not improving, the NHS route is usually physiotherapy. In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, such as physiotherapy, without seeing a GP first.
What happens at your first appointment
The General Chiropractic Council sets out what you should expect at a first visit:
- Case history: the chiropractor asks about your condition, your general health, your lifestyle and your medical history
- Examination: a physical examination. You may need to remove some clothing, and you should be offered a gown
- Further tests: the chiropractor may recommend investigations such as X-rays, depending on what they find
- Explanation: they explain their findings, the treatment options, and the benefits and risks of each. They should also explain alternative treatments and what happens if your condition does not improve as expected
- Care plan: you agree a plan together and can ask questions
- Consent: treatment should only start once you are happy to go ahead and understand what it involves, including the cost
Your first visit should also cover how long treatment is likely to take, how you will pay and the cancellation policy. The GCC says it is common to have mild to moderate aches, stiffness and tiredness after treatment, and these usually pass within a few days.
How to check a chiropractor is registered
The title "chiropractor" is protected by law. It is a criminal offence for anyone to describe themselves as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC. You can check a chiropractor using the GCC Find a Chiropractor search, by name, postcode, registration number or town.
If you have a concern, the GCC advises raising it with the chiropractor first, and then contacting the GCC if it is not resolved. CQC guidance also lists X-rays taken by registered chiropractors as an exception to its registration rules for diagnostic imaging, so do not expect every chiropractic clinic to have a CQC rating.
Find a practitioner
Our physiotherapy and musculoskeletal guide lists physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths by city.
Sources: NHS: Herbal medicines and complementary therapies | NHS: Back pain | General Chiropractic Council: Patients | GCC: Seeing a chiropractor for the first time | GCC: Frequently asked questions | GCC: Find a Chiropractor | CQC: Diagnostic and screening procedures (scope of registration).
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice call NHS 111.