The Best Alternative Therapies

Massage & Chiropractic

May help: Low-back pain, whiplash and other musculoskeletal injuries.

How it works:Segments of the spine can stiffen and irritate joints and ligaments in the area, causing pain. Chiropractors manipulate the spine to loosen stiff or misaligned vertebrae, which repositions and resets the joints.

Caveats: Beware of chiropractors who promise to treat cancer, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and other serious ailments. Also keep your eye on the calendar and your wallet. Some chiropractors may recommend extensive courses of treatments or try to sell expensive nutritional supplements. According to Dr. Dillard, you should stop seeing a chiropractor if you've shown no signs of improvement after four weeks. (The average length of treatment of uncomplicated ailments is six to eight weeks.)

For more info: Contact the American Chiropractic Association (amerchiro.org). A 20- to 40-minute session usually costs from $50 to $110.

May help: Low-back pain, whiplash and other musculoskeletal injuries.

How it works: Segments of the spine can stiffen and irritate joints and ligaments in the area, causing pain. Chiropractors manipulate the spine to loosen stiff or misaligned vertebrae, which repositions and resets the joints.

Caveats: Beware of chiropractors who promise to treat cancer, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and other serious ailments. Also keep your eye on the calendar and your wallet. Some chiropractors may recommend extensive courses of treatments or try to sell expensive nutritional supplements. According to Dr. Dillard, you should stop seeing a chiropractor if you've shown no signs of improvement after four weeks. (The average length of treatment of uncomplicated ailments is six to eight weeks.)

For more info: Contact the American Chiropractic Association (amerchiro.org). A 20- to 40-minute session usually costs from $50 to $110.