A healthy spine is more than the basis of good posture—it is a harbinger of sound emotional and physical health, according to practitioners of holistic chiropractic care. Those seeking relief from back pain and other common spine-related conditions might do well to exchange pain-masking drugs for more lasting relief from professional adjustments.

All chiropractic can be considered alternative medicine, because practitioners do not prescribe drugs or surgery. Instead, these doctors rely on manual therapies such as spinal manipulation to improve function and provide pain relief for conditions ranging from simple sprains and strains to herniated discs and sciatica. Yet, holistic chiropractors go beyond treatment of structural problems, like a misaligned spine, to address root causes.

Michael Roth, a Ventura, California, chiropractor who has been practicing holistic methods for nearly 20 years, points out that, “Basic spinal manipulation does not address the mind-body connection. A holistic chiropractor recognizes that symptoms are the body’s way of adapting to some environmental stressor. If the spine is adapting to a stressor, that’s not the cause of the problem, simply the effect.”

Holistic chiropractors typically can suggest complementary measures such as massage, yoga, naturopathy or physical therapy for a more integrated and comprehensive treatment approach. Beyond adjusting the spine, they may also prescribe adjustments to diet, exercise and other lifestyle elements, depending on their understanding of an individual’s optimum path to wellness.

Before placing one’s care in someone else’s hands, ask for credentials and seek out reviews from former patients. Good health—and a happy spine—begin with an educated and empowered patient.

ChiroHealthy.com includes a database of licensed chiropractors, searchable by zip code.