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Back Pain: Chiropractic

Asked by James NaishLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 25 March 2026UIN 121449

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to utilise spare capacity in the chiropractic sector to support those with back pain.

Answered by Karin Smyth

NHS England does not nationally commission chiropractic care as it is a complementary and alternative medicine. Integrated care boards can make independent decisions on which health professionals they employ and may commission a limited amount of such treatment.

There are currently no plans to review the categorisation of chiropractic care as a complementary and alternative medicine. Where musculoskeletal treatment is required, referrals will be made to physiotherapists where appropriate.

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