Expert: Mha Atma S. Khalsa, DC - 3/26/2004

Question
What kind of treatments can chiropractors provide for acne? Are they as effective as treatments provided by a dermatologist? Is this a good option for someone who is sensitive to over the counter acne products, but has a moderate case of acne.

Answer
Chiropractic treatment, which primarily consists of spinal adjustments, sometimes does help skin conditions because it reduces nerve irritation which can contribute to skin problems.  However, spinal adjustments alone are not a reliable treatment for acne.  

On the other hand, a chiropractor who also specializes in nutritional guidance, or a good nutritionist (or both) greatly increases the chance of improvement of acne.  There are many dietary factors which can contribute to acne, and improving your diet along with taking certain nutritional supplements would be a very sensible approach.