You would treat people with aches, pains and injuries by handling their limbs and body and moving their joints and bones.

You would use your hands, rather than drugs or surgery, to make them feel better and enjoy a better quality of life.

You’d move and adjust the person’s joints, bones and soft tissue, like muscles and tendons, to help them control their pain or to prevent injuries from happening again. You would probably focus on manipulating the spine.

Your patients may be suffering as a result of an accident, stress, illness or lack of exercise. The most common problems include:

• neck, back and shoulder pain

• sciatica and leg problems

• issues due to sports injuries

• joint and muscle pain caused by poor posture

You might also work with people suffering from migraine or asthma, and babies who have colic.

You’d chat with the patient to find out more about their problem and their lifestyle. You’d make sure that their condition was suitable for treatment or decide whether they need to see a doctor.

If you think you can help them you would:

• discuss their symptoms and health problems in detail

• examine them sometimes using x-rays or blood tests

• find out about any previous medical diagnoses

• design a programme of treatment to meet their individual needs

You may also give them advice on lifestyle, diet and exercise to support their recovery.