Spinal manipulation or "Spinal adjustment" as Oxford Chiropractors call it, is the most common treatment performed at Oxford Chiropractic clinics. The process of spinal manipulation is a manual maneuver, the chiropractor will take a join past its normal range or movement, but not so far that it will dislocate or damage the joint itself. The Oxford Chiropractor uses a dynamic thrust that attempts to increase the joint's range or motion. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is described as a technique where the hands are used to massage, adjust, stimulate, apply traction, and influence the spine and related tissues.

There are several adjustive techniques that are used by Oxford Chiropractors, most chiropractors tend to use more than one technique when carrying out a treatment. The techniques are; Diversified technique, this is purely a hand on technique that is used for spinal manipulation. The activator technique uses a spring loaded tool that will deliver very precise and accurate adjustments to the spine. There can be treatments where the chiropractor used medicine to assist with the manipulation, it involves sedation and a anesthesiologist will be required as an Oxford chiropractor has no knowledge in the area of anesthesia. This will be used predominantly for chronic lower back pain.

Other procedures carried out at Oxford Chiropractic clinic will be used for treating the spine, joints and tissue; also they can be used to treat more general health issues such as migraines and headaches. A 2006 review found no real evidence supporting SM or other manual therapies for tension headache.

A 2005 review found that the evidence was weak for effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation for tension headache, and that it was probably more effective for tension headache than for migraine. Although many people believe that after they see an Oxford Chiropractor they no longer experience migraines, this can be due to them mentally believing they no longer have a headache or the fact that Oxford Chiropractic treatment does improve migraines.

It's always worth seeing your local doctor before you see a Chiropractor, however for lower back pain Chiropractic treatment is recommended by healthcare professionals worldwide.