在脊椎矫正疗法（一种操作及身体疗法)中，脊椎和其他关节面的结构之间的关系以及它们与神经系统之间的相互作用被认为是保持或恢复健康的关键。恢复这种关系的主要手段是操纵脊柱、其他关节和软组织。 治疗师可以做物理治疗（例如，热疗和冷疗、电刺激、康复治疗）、按摩或点穴，并指导运动，人体工学及生活方式改变。
一些脊医强调活力医学（身体自愈的能力）。他们运用手法矫正假设中错位的椎骨，试图恢复生命能量（称为先天之气）的流动，从而治愈大多数疾病。其他脊椎指压治疗师不同程度的拒绝这一概念；一些只局限于循证的肌肉骨骼治疗。
推拿的应用
可能出现的不良反应
脊柱推拿导致的严重并发症（如腰痛、颈神经损伤、颈部动脉损伤）较为罕见 (6)。 脊柱推拿不推荐用于治疗骨质疏松症或神经病变（如感觉异常，肌无力）的患者。对于曾接受脊柱手术、中风或患有血管疾病的患者来说，手法治疗是否安全尚不明确。
参考文献
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