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Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal issues, including back pain, neck pain, and tension headaches. Prospective patients frequently enquire whether chiropractic treatment for musculoskeletal issues is available in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS).
In this article, we explore the availability of chiropractic care through the NHS, the likelihood of it being more accessible in the future, the reasons behind funding limitations, and the best ways to access chiropractic care.
To date, chiropractic care is not offered as a standard service on the NHS. While the NHS does provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services, chiropractic treatment is still considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and CAMs are not generally publicly funded.
Although chiropractic care is not widely available, some NHS trusts and local health authorities may allow referrals for musculoskeletal conditions, and they may even have an arrangement with a chiropractic clinic.
A referral to a chiropractor is usually made when a general practitioner (GP) deems it necessary for managing a specific musculoskeletal condition. However, such referrals are dependent on individual circumstances and local healthcare provisions.
In many cases, the treatment from a GP for musculoskeletal pain is still a prescription for painkillers, or, if the case has become serious, a referral to the hospital outpatient department.
Historically, the NHS has only provided treatment for musculoskeletal conditions after the issue has become serious, and the root causes of these conditions have not been systematically addressed.
Because of this oversight, musculoskeletal conditions now account for a large portion of the NHS workload. Indeed, NHS spending on musculoskeletal conditions has surpassed £5 billion a year (Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance, 2017).
These issues are likely to become more common (Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders), especially with more people now working at a desk on a computer.
It is now clear that early interventions are the best way to manage common conditions such as back pain and postural problems.
As common musculoskeletal conditions are a significant burden on the NHS, an early intervention in these cases could also save time and money. In some cases, early intervention can even circumvent the need for expensive treatments (such as surgery) at a later stage.
The effectiveness of chiropractic treatments for the management of certain musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, neck pain, and cervicogenic headaches, has already been demonstrated (Effectiveness Of Manual Therapies: The UK Evidence Report).
Moreover, the NHS has already recognised the value of early intervention chiropractic treatments for musculoskeletal disorders (Chiropractic Care On The NHS).
In recent years, the Department of Health has extended the choice of provider of musculoskeletal services for back and neck pain. Several NHS trusts have independently organised pilot schemes where chiropractic care is provided for these conditions via the NHS (Case Study From East Dorset).
The inclusion of chiropractic care in some of these schemes has been especially successful (e.g., the North East Essex NHS Trust). However, the availability of such schemes depends on where you live.
The future availability of chiropractic care through the NHS is uncertain. For chiropractic care to become more widely available on the NHS, a shift in policy and funding priorities to accommodate these services is required.
There are currently no immediate plans to implement such changes to make chiropractic care more accessible through the NHS. However, as awareness of the benefits of CAMs has grown, integration of more CAM treatments, including chiropractic care, into the NHS has been discussed.
The pilot schemes mentioned above that promote the management of musculoskeletal conditions using early intervention approaches may open the possibility for the wider integration of chiropractic care into the NHS.
The decision to allow patient choice of the provider of musculoskeletal services for back and neck pain is considered a success in these schemes.
Chiropractors are already well-placed to deliver high-quality care for back and neck pain. Chiropractors from the British Chiropractic Association have been working with the NHS and the Department of Health to further the availability of alternative treatments for back and neck pain (Chiropractic And The NHS).
Several reasons contribute to the limited availability of NHS funding for chiropractic care:
Patients wishing to find out if chiropractic care is available through the NHS in their area should first talk to their GP. However, even if patients can be referred to a chiropractor by their GP (for treatment on the NHS), the decision does depend on individual circumstances and the discretion of the GP.
As a backup plan, you can also directly contact your local integrated care board (ICB).
A decision on whether your case merits a referral is dependent on matching the criteria given in NICE guidelines (NICE guidelines). Eligibility for chiropractic treatment through the NHS depends on several factors.
Patients who have been dealing with back pain for months or years are more likely to be considered. Other conditions like neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, and even arthritis pain may also qualify you for NHS-funded chiropractic care (depending on local access).
Given the limited availability of chiropractic care through the NHS, patients interested in this treatment typically need to seek it privately. The best steps to access chiropractic care are detailed below.
Look for qualified chiropractors in your area. Ensure they are registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC), the regulatory body for chiropractors in the UK.
If you have private health insurance, check whether it covers chiropractic care. Many insurance providers offer plans that include coverage for chiropractic treatments.
You do not need a referral from your GP to privately access a chiropractor. Just contact a chiropractor directly to schedule an appointment.
While not necessary for access, discussing your condition with your GP can be helpful. They can provide useful advice and may be able to recommend a chiropractor.
Many chiropractic clinics offer payment plans or packages that make treatment more affordable. Inquire about these options when you contact the clinic.
In summary, chiropractic care is not available as standard on the NHS. Nonetheless, some NHS trusts and local health authorities may allow referrals in specific cases, and they may even have an arrangement with a chiropractic clinic.
It should be noted that referrals to a chiropractor by a GP are always dependent on individual circumstances and are at the discretion of the GP.
In areas where chiropractic care is not offered on the NHS, the best option may be to pursue private treatment, supported by health insurance where possible.
While the question “Is Chiropractic Care Free On The NHS?” may not have the answer many hope for, there are still viable pathways to receive this beneficial treatment.
