What system of treatment is based on the manipulation of the spinal column and other body structures?

The correct answer is chiropractic, as this system of treatment specifically focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractors believe that these disorders can affect overall health through the nervous system. They primarily use manual adjustment techniques to align the spine and other joints, which is thought to promote the body’s natural ability to heal itself, while also optimizing nerve function.

In contrast, physiotherapy involves a broader approach to rehabilitation and physical health, utilizing exercise, education, and various modalities but does not specifically focus on spinal manipulation. Osteopathy also emphasizes the body’s ability to heal and includes a holistic approach to treatment, but it covers a wider scope, including the treatment of the entire body with techniques that may involve more than just the spine. Acupuncture, on the other hand, is based on traditional Chinese medicine practices and involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to balance energy flow; it does not involve manipulation of body structures in the same way chiropractic does. Therefore, chiropractic is distinct in its specific focus on spinal manipulation as a treatment modality.