Exploring Different Types of Chiropractic Treatments
Jan 21, 2026
Chiropractic treatments use hands-on adjustments and complementary therapies to improve joint alignment, relieve pain, and restore healthy movement patterns. Common chiropractic treatments include spinal adjustments, electrical muscle stimulation, focal infrared therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, and more. A provider combines these treatments into a customized chiropractic care plan tailored to each client’s needs.
Why chiropractic treatment types matter
Different types of chiropractic treatment help when pain, stiffness, or soreness start getting in the way of your daily life. Neck stiffness, low back pain, headaches, and post-injury soreness affect your work, family time, and the activities you enjoy.
Many people think chiropractic care only involves cracking backs, but care often includes several treatment options to reduce pain and support long-term wellness safely.
In this guide, you’ll learn what chiropractors treat, the types of treatments used at clinics like Doctor Tony Chiro in Salt Lake City, and how a personalized care plan supports your goals and lifestyle. Understanding what chiropractors treat helps you decide whether chiropractic care fits your symptoms, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.
Table of contents
Why chiropractic treatment types matter
What do chiropractors treat?
Types of chiropractic treatments
How a chiropractic treatment plan works
Benefits of modern chiropractic care
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Key chiropractic care stats
Recommended therapies and home care tools
FAQs
Chiropractic care for Salt Lake
Get the treatment you need with Doctor Tony Chiro
Wha do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between your spine, nervous system, and musculoskeletal health, using targeted care to improve alignment and function. Common conditions chiropractors address include neck and back pain, sciatica, headaches, joint stiffness, sports- and work-related injuries, and pain associated with degenerative discs or poor posture.
Chiropractic clinics often go beyond simply reducing pain. A good chiropractor will have a whole-person focus on mobility, function, and long-term wellness so patients return to work, sports, and daily life with confidence.
Types of chiropractic treatments
1. Spinal adjustments
Spinal adjustments (also called spinal manipulations) are the core of many care plans. These precise, controlled movements realign vertebrae, relieve pressure on joints and nerves, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing processes.
2. Electric muscle stimulation (EMS)
Electric muscle stimulation uses gentle electrical impulses to contract targeted muscles, helping reduce muscle spasms, improve circulation, and decrease pain around injured or overworked areas. EMS is often paired with spinal adjustments to help muscles relax and hold better alignment.
3. Focal infrared therapy
Focal infrared therapy delivers concentrated infrared light into muscles and soft tissues, boosting circulation, easing tension, and supporting healing tissue. This treatment is helpful for chronic tightness, stress-related tension, and post-injury soreness.
4. Therapeutic ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to gently heat and stimulate deeper tissues, aiming to decrease pain, reduce stiffness, and improve range of motion in injured or inflamed areas. Chiropractors often use ultrasound in conjunction with adjustments to treat conditions such as tendonitis, joint restrictions, or chronic muscle tightness.
5. Lifestyle and home-care guidance
Many modern chiropractic treatment plans also include guidance on stretching, ergonomics, exercise, and daily habits. The added support helps patients protect their progress between visits and reduce the chance of re-injury over time.
How a chiropractic treatment plan works
What is a chiropractic treatment plan? It is a structured approach that combines different therapies to address your pain, mobility limits, and long-term goals.
Typical steps include:
Comprehensive assessment
Review of your health history and physical condition
Orthopedic and neurological testing when needed
Diagnosis and goal setting
Clear explanation of what is causing your symptoms
Short-term goals, such as pain relief
Long-term goals, such as improved function and injury prevention
Personalized treatment approach
Spinal adjustments to restore motion and alignment
EMS, infrared therapy, or ultrasound to address muscles and soft tissue
Visit frequency based on your needs, often more frequent early on, then reduced as you improve
Re-evaluation and progression
Periodic check-ins to measure pain reduction, strength, and mobility
Adjusting your chiropractic treatment plan as your body heals and your goals evolve
Benefits of modern chiropractic care
Why do so many people turn to chiropractic care as part of their health routine?
Key benefits of today’s evidence-informed chiropractic treatments include:
Drug-free pain relief for back, neck, joint, and muscle issues
Improved joint mobility and overall movement quality
Support for nervous system function through better spinal alignment
Faster return to work, sports, and daily activities after injury
Personalized care plans that consider your whole lifestyle, not only the symptoms
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Understanding what chiropractors treat and don’t, helps you get more from care.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Assuming all chiropractors “do the same thing.” Techniques and treatment mixes may vary by clinic.
Expecting one “quick fix” visit. Most issues develop over time and respond best to a structured chiropractic treatment plan rather than a single adjustment.
Skipping recommended home exercises or ergonomic changes. Ignoring lifestyle advice slows progress and allows old patterns to return.
Waiting until pain is severe. Early chiropractic care often resolves small issues before they become major, long-lasting problems.
Key chiropractic care stats
While exact statistics vary by region, research and industry data consistently show:
Patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is consistently high, with recent reviews indicating that satisfaction scores are often higher than those of other health professions.
A study published in Clinical Advisor found that adolescents with back pain saw greater improvement and satisfaction with spinal manipulation than exercise alone.
Recommended therapies and home care tools
To support a chiropractic treatment plan, many patients benefit from simple tools and habits at home:
Supportive pillow and mattress that promote neutral spinal alignment
Ergonomic chair or sit-stand setup for desk work
Simple resistance bands or light weights for rehab exercises
Hot/cold packs for short-term pain or inflammation management
Gentle stretching routines to maintain flexibility between visits
Your chiropractor can recommend the tools and exercises that best match your condition and activity level, so you are not guessing on your own.
FAQs
What conditions can chiropractic treatments help with?
Chiropractic care commonly treats back and neck pain, headaches, sciatica, joint stiffness, sports injuries, work-related strain, and pain linked to poor posture or degenerative changes. Your chiropractor will assess whether your condition is appropriate for care or needs referral.
What is a chiropractic treatment plan?
A chiropractic treatment plan is a personalized approach to care based on your health history, pain patterns, and goals. It often includes a combination of spinal adjustments, supportive therapies, and home-care guidance designed to reduce pain, improve movement, and support long-term wellness.
How many visits will I need in a chiropractic treatment plan?
The number of visits depends on multiple factors. This includes how long you’ve had the problem, its severity, your overall health, and your goals. Many plans start with more frequent visits for relief, then taper into maintenance as function improves and pain decreases.
Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Most adjustments are gentle and tolerable, with patients often describing a sense of relief or improved movement afterward. Mild soreness, similar to what you might feel after a workout, occasionally occurs as your body adapts to better alignment.
Are chiropractic treatments safe?
When delivered by a licensed, trained chiropractor, chiropractic care has a strong safety record, especially compared to long-term reliance on pain medications. Your chiropractor will review your history, assess risks, and modify techniques when needed.
Chiropractic care for Salt Lake
Salt Lake City’s active lifestyle — think skiing, hiking, climbing, and demanding desk or trade work — means many residents put stress on their spines, joints, and muscles. Understanding what is a chiropractic treatment plan is helps weekend warriors, busy professionals, and people recovering from accidents maintain mobility and reduce downtime.
With flexible scheduling, concierge house calls, and a strong focus on listening to patient goals, Doctor Tony Chiro offers local patients a convenient way to access advanced chiropractic treatments without sacrificing their already packed schedules.
Get the treatment you need with Doctor Tony Chiro
Exploring the different types of chiropractic treatments helps you understand that care is often much more than a quick adjustment. It is a structured, personalized chiropractic treatment plan to relieve pain, restore mobility, and promote long-term wellness.
If persistent pain or stiffness is starting to limit your life, schedule a visit with Doctor Tony Chiro in Salt Lake City to discuss what types of chiropractic treatments fit your needs, and how a customized plan will help you move and live better.