Scope of Practice and Authorized Acts

The scope of practice and authorized acts for Ontario chiropractors are set out in the Chiropractic Act, 1991.

Scope of Practice

The practice of chiropractic is the assessment of conditions related to the spine, nervous system and joints and the diagnosis, prevention and treatment, primarily by adjustment of:

• dysfunctions or disorders arising from the structures or functions of the spine and the effects of those dysfunctions or disorders on the nervous system; and
• dysfunctions or disorders arising from the structures or functions of the joints.

Authorized Acts

In the course of engaging in the practice of chiropractic, a member is authorized, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations imposed on his or her certificate of registration, to perform the following:

• Communicating a diagnosis identifying, as the cause of a person's symptoms,
  • a disorder arising from the structures or functions of the spine and their effects on the nervous system, or
  • a disorder arising from the structures or functions of the joints of the extremities.
• Moving the joints of the spine beyond a person's usual physiological range of motion using a fast, low amplitude thrust.
  • Putting a finger beyond the anal verge for the purpose of manipulating the tailbone