As much as there are a variety of doctors, there are also two categories of chiropractors who deal with different types of chiropractic care. Primarily, the core objective of the chiropractic professional is to establish alignment of the spine by treating subluxations anywhere in the spine through gentle spinal adjustments. The profession also deals with other conditions that are concerned with musculoskeletal issues as well as conditions that disrupt the normal wellness of an individual's body. However, the straight chiropractors differ from the "mixers" in that the former focus on the removal of the spinal subluxation following their purist belief that once the spine heals, then the whole body heals also. The latter, on the other hand, incorporates the practices of physical therapy, diet and nutrition, and exercise regimens in addition to the manual spinal adjustments.

Despite the difference in principles in these two types of chiropractors, both perform an initial examination and detailed discussion with their patient about the medical situation to determine which method to utilize for treatment. On this basis, there are three major kinds of chiropractic care.

Symptom/Pain Relief Chiropractic Care. Program evolves on eliminating the patient's pain and symptoms in the acute phase, which is generally a short phase. The chiropractor determines the level of acute damage and then formulates a treatment plan that would result in immediate but short term cure. This is usually done with the use of modalities such as electrical stimulation, TENS, acupuncture, and sometimes laser.

Traditional/Corrective Chiropractic Care. Emphasis is given to provide longer term of treatment that targets alignment and cure of the subluxed or dislocated spine. This kind of plan is usually recommended for patients who have had problems with their back or spine for quite some time and have not sought treatment.

Maintenance Chiropractic Care. This plan obviously concentrates on those patients who have long-term and permanent spinal disorders who will do well with palliative treatment through constant consultation and checkups, and regular gentle manipulations. This is also recommended to individuals who wish to seek alternative regimes when their ailments are not cured by medical means, and those who would like to make sure that their bodies are kept "aligned" and in shape.

All kinds of chiropractic care follow the premise of spinal alignment or fixation to release blockages in the nervous system that disrupt normal bodily functions. Indeed, the chiropractic profession deals with the spine and everything that is connected with it - and that means the entire well-being of the individual.