chiropractic

American  

[kahy-ruh-prak-tik] / ˌkaɪ rəˈpræk tɪk /

noun

1. a therapeutic system based primarily upon the interactions of the spine and nervous system, the method of treatment usually being to adjust the segments of the spinal column.

2. a chiropractor.

---

chiropractic British  

/ ˌkaɪrəˈpræktɪk /

noun

1. a system of treating bodily disorders by manipulation of the spine and other parts, based on the belief that the cause is the abnormal functioning of a nerve

---

chiropractic Cultural  

1. A system of treating disease and musculoskeletal disorders that involves manipulation of the backbone and other body parts. In chiropractic, disorders of the nerves are considered the cause of illness.

---

Other Word Forms

• chiropractor noun

Etymology

Origin of chiropractic

1895–1900, chiro- + -practic < Greek praktikós; see practical

Example Sentences

In Essex, where new independent registrations rose from six in 2024 to 12 in 2025, Girgis‑Hanna divides her working week between the NHS and private consultations, operating from a chiropractic clinic in Saffron Walden.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Theoretically, Saver said, medical and chiropractic boards are supposed to ensure that practitioners do not practice outside their area of expertise and training.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026

The Education Department would define the following fields as professional programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2025

When Betancur opened his chiropractic practice in the early 2000s, a loan servicer advised him to put his federal student loans into a payment pause to get his business off the ground, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 1, 2025

“Even from a chiropractic standpoint, Nixon is a questionable character. He has the skeleton of a chimpanzee.”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides