Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-11-22
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Tired of chronic back pain and relying on painkillers? Chiropractic care offers a safe alternative to traditional treatments, with no surgery scars or drug side effects. Dive deeper with Bowtie—explore services, Hong Kong fees, and insurance claims tips!
What is a Chiropractor? Is a Chiropractor a Doctor?
“Chiropractic” derived from the Greek words “Cheir (Hand)” and “Praxis (Practice),” meaning treatment of the spinal nerves through manual techniques, rather than relying solely on surgery or medication.
Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine, a unique Western healthcare system that’s distinct from traditional Western medicine. It focuses on systematically supporting bone and spinal health to leverage the body’s natural healing abilities, without causing trauma or side effects, helping patients regain their health. Chiropractors primarily use specialized manual therapies—no needles, no surgery, and no medications—employing unique spinal adjustments to diagnose, treat, and prevent issues in the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and skeletal system.
Is a Chiropractor a Doctor?
Chiropractic is an independent healthcare system and is not the same as a medical doctor. Orthopedic doctors may perform surgery on the skeletal system and prescribe medications, whereas chiropractors focus on spinal and nervous system manual treatments. They use more conservative methods without injections or surgery, correcting misaligned bones through hands-on techniques to relieve nerve pressure and reduce pain for patients.
Can a Sick Leave Certificate from a Chiropractor Be Used for Sick Leave?
According to current Hong Kong employment laws, employers do not recognize medical certificates issued by chiropractors.
How Does Chiropractic Differ from Physiotherapy?
| Chiropractor | Physiotherapy | |
| Treatment Focus | Relieving pain and correcting misaligned bones | Pain-free exercises |
| Treatment Methods | Using unique spinal therapies and joint correction techniques to enhance the body’s natural healing abilities | Physiotherapists assist with stretching exercises, strengthening, and targeted treatments for certain conditions to improve mobility |
| Treatment Philosophy | Adjusting patients’ bones and muscles to treat pain and discomfort | Strengthening patients’ muscles and joints through exercises to restore movement and function |
| Common Treatment Areas | Primarily treats issues related to back pain, neck pain, arm or leg joint pain, and headaches | Improves overall body movement and function |
How to Choose a Good Chiropractor? Understand Registration Qualifications, Procedures, and Codes
There are many chiropractic clinics on the market, so how should you choose? The general public can pay closer attention to online reviews and verify if the chiropractor is registered.
According to Department of Health guidelines , anyone practicing chiropractic therapy in Hong Kong must apply for registration with the Chiropractors Council; otherwise, it’s a criminal offense punishable by a fine of HK$50,000 and up to 1 year in prison.
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Achieving a passing grade in examinations approved by the Chiropractors Council
- Declaring in writing that they are competent to practice as a chiropractor
- Not having been subject to disciplinary sanctions or investigations by a review committee
- Having no criminal record or professional misconduct
If the above registration qualifications are met, applicants can complete the Chiropractor Registration Application Form and pay the specified registration fee to officially become a registered chiropractor in Hong Kong. According to the Code of Practice for Registered Chiropractors , chiropractors can refer to themselves as “chiropractic physicians” in signs and notices, but only if it doesn’t mislead anyone into thinking they are medical doctors. As of July 2024, there are 347 registered chiropractors in Hong Kong.
What Services Do Chiropractors Provide?
Code of Practice for Registered Chiropractors Part II outlines that chiropractors focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of issues related to spinal and pelvic function, with services covering:
- Chiropractic diagnosis
- Motion palpation
- Diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests
- Chiropractic treatment
- Provision of dietary or nutritional supplements
- Chiropractic health education activities
If, after diagnosis, the chiropractor determines that the condition requires alternative treatment, they should prioritize the patient’s best interests and refer them to the appropriate specialist.
How Do Chiropractors Help with Diagnosis? What Is the Treatment Process?
According to the Hong Kong Chiropractic Association, chiropractors diagnose and treat patients in three parts: chiropractic diagnosis , chiropractic treatment , and chiropractic care .
Chiropractic Diagnosis
Chiropractors will thoroughly ask about the patient’s medical history during consultations and perform physical and spinal examinations to pinpoint the exact location and root cause of the disease or pain. Spinal examinations include:
- The movement and function of joints and muscles
- The ability of nerve reflexes and the integrity of nerve tissue function
- The relative relationships of the pelvis, spine, and their associated tissues
If necessary, chiropractors may request X-ray examinations, medical tests such as blood draws, or detailed scans like MRIs to clearly understand the condition of the bones and rule out other potential issues.
Chiropractic Treatment
The main goal of chiropractic treatment is to promote overall balance in the nervous system and human tendon functions. Treatment methods include various manual therapies, such as:
- Chiropractic adjustments (the most common and essential treatment method): Using precise, quick, and shallow techniques to correct vertebrae and joints with functional subluxation
- Other joint correction methods: Such as long-rod adjustments, non-specific corrections, active or functional corrections, and corrections using mechanical devices
- Soft tissue therapy
- Joint mobility therapy
- Common supplementary chiropractic treatments: Physical therapies like ultrasound, electrotherapy, and acupuncture
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care emphasizes the body’s natural self-healing abilities. Many functional and structural issues can recover without medication or surgery under normal circumstances. Chiropractors often use specific exercises, ergonomics and posture corrections, nutritional advice, and other lifestyle guidance to further aid treatment and prevent problems from recurring or worsening.
Chiropractic Fees in Hong Kong
We’ve put together a list of fees from 6 private hospitals, clinics, and medical centers in Hong Kong that offer chiropractic services.
| Hospital/Clinic/Medical Center | Fees | Services |
| Precious Blood Hospital | $800 | Chiropractic examination and treatment |
| Procare Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Center | $790 – $850 | Comprehensive chiropractic examination and treatment |
| ChiroPedo Health Center |
|
Detailed examination, joint adjustment, one session of ultrasound and electrotherapy |
| Hong Kong Spine Center | $1000 (excluding X-ray and other fees) | Detailed consultation examination and basic treatment, about 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| New York Spine and Physiotherapy Center |
|
Chiropractic consultation and basic pain treatment |
| PhysioPlus |
|
Consultation and treatment |
- * The above fees are for reference only; each chiropractic clinic and chiropractor has the final decision.
- * Fees depend on the clinic’s location.
What Insurance Covers Chiropractic Fees?
Chiropractic is a relatively new profession, so currently in Hong Kong, some insurances will refuse to compensate for chiropractic treatment fees.
And Touch Wood Protector actively meets the needs of different clients, not only covering physiotherapy and traditional Chinese orthopedic treatment, but also providing up to HK$500 per session for chiropractic therapy:
| Chiropractic Compensation Limit | Session Limits | |
| Fracture Accident | HK$500 per session | 6 sessions, 1 session per day |
| Non-Fracture Accident | HK$250 per session | 4 sessions, 1 session per day |
| Per Policy Year | / | Total of 8 sessions |
Bowtie offers convenient and cost-effective coverage, including chiropractic therapy in its Accident Insurance with an annual coverage of up to HK$420,000, and the monthly premium is just HK$62! Learn more now .
- ^ For a 35-year-old non-smoking male, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractors
Is Chiropractic Treatment Safe?
All chiropractors in Hong Kong are regulated by local laws, and the Chiropractors Council has established strict professional guidelines to ensure that chiropractic care is a legally recognized medical option with a certain level of safety.
What is the Difference Between Chiropractors and Physiotherapists?
According to Legislative Council Documents , former Secretary for Food and Health Dr. Ko Wing-man commented on the differences as follows:
- Chiropractic is considered an alternative therapy, while physiotherapists are specialized healthcare professionals
- The Hospital Authority does not employ registered chiropractors
- Currently, no universities or tertiary institutions in Hong Kong offer chiropractic training programs
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