Rooted in the traditional medicine techniques of many cultures existing over thousands of years, spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention that has been proven to be as effective as other modern therapies, i.e. narcotic pain medication, for back muscle pain treatment, and even more effective than most modern pain treatments in regards to neck pain. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates of ancient Greece, was an early champion of spinal manipulation techniques. So too did ancient Egyptian doctors incorporate spinal manipulation therapy within the healing arts of that civilization.

Chiropractic and osteopathic medicine became popular during the late 1800s in North America, precipitating the emergence of many health spas and clinics offering spinal manipulation therapy. In the 1960s, spinal manipulation as a treatment protocol experienced a resurgence when mainstream medicine started taking the field seriously. Nowadays, in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and osteopathic physicians utilize spinal manipulation techniques as a means of reducing pain. European chiropractors, osteopaths, and physio therapists provide the majority of spinal manipulation therapies on the continent.

Manipulation of the spine has been shown to be effective as an acute back pain treatment therapy. Its ability to reduce pain is essentially on par with narcotic medication. Chiropractors and osteopaths also use spinal manipulation to support headache treatment and fibromyalgia treatment. As well, though there is no cure for thyroid disease, spinal manipulation treatments have been correlated with a slower disintegration of thyroid function within patients suffering from Hashimotos hypothyroidism.

Recently, preliminary research indicates that chiropractic manipulation of the spine may be an effective alternative to mainstream IBS treatment options. IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, as it is also known, affects the large intestine, causing cramping and abdominal distress, as well as diarrhea or constipation. For many patients suffering with IBS, regular spinal manipulation therapy has been shown to be effective in regards to decreasing the severity of presenting symptoms.