Chiropractic care is typically most effective for people with musculoskeletal pain, with the most favorable evidence supporting its use for low back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Research also supports the use of chiropractic care as part of a collaborative approach to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Chiropractic care should be provided according to evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines for all people. Chiropractic care for pain of non-musculoskeletal origin, like cancer pain, may help relieve related symptoms like back pain or muscle aches and should be done in coordination with medical treatment. 

For children ages 4-17, chiropractic care is among the most common complementary and integrative health approaches used for musculoskeletal pain. While some studies indicate potential benefits, the current body of evidence supporting chiropractic care for pediatric musculoskeletal pain is generally considered weak and requires further study. There are also unsupported claims of effectiveness for various non-musculoskeletal conditions for pediatric patients (e.g., infantile colic and childhood asthma). There are limited reports of harm caused to children undergoing chiropractic care, and it is difficult to determine how common or severe these incidents are.