Table 1 Definitions of the different indications for treatment used in a survey on chiropractic students attending the University of Southern Denmark

Contra-indication: Cases where spinal manipulation would be associated with a non-trivial risk of complications e.g. manipulation of spinal fracture.

Non-indication: Cases where spinal manipulation is not contra-indicated, but where no evidence-based clinical rationale is present for offering the treatment e.g. manipulation offered as treatment of asthma or as prevention for infection.

Indication: Cases where spinal manipulation is not contra-indicated, and musculoskeletal symptoms are present with clinical findings providing an evidence-based rationale for spinal manipulation e.g. non-specific spinal pain