The Deal

$39 for a comprehensive chiropractic package ($428 total value)

• Chiropractic exam ($155 value)
• Full set of x-rays, if needed ($198 value)
• One chiropractic adjustment ($75 value)

Spinal Adjustment: A Simple Fix for the Complex Spine

To anyone who’s ever had to stare down a wall of heating pads, braces, pain relievers, balms, and ointments at the drugstore, it should come as no surprise that roughly 80% of the population experiences back pain at some point. And it’s easy to understand why: the vertebral column comprises dozens of bones (more than 15% of all bones in an adult body), all of which work in concert to protect the thick bundle of nerves running the length of the spine. During spinal manipulation, chiropractors perform a series of swift motions that realign all those intricate moving parts—usually with their hands but sometimes with a small device.

The spine’s organizational complexity calls into question the idea that someone can simply crack your back and fix it, but a wide range of studies have shown that over time there can be spinal benefits to having a trained professional make minor physical adjustments. Some studies have found that spinal manipulation can alleviate lower-back pain as effectively as pain-relief medications and other conventional treatments. The therapy also doesn’t carry some of the side effects of daily medication, and a chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist can customize treatments to target specific regions of tension and soreness.