Wash. Rev. Code » Title 18 · Chapter 18.25
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 18.25.005 (2026)

"Chiropractic" defined

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Chiropractic is the practice of health care that deals with the diagnosis or analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its effects, articular dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders, all for the restoration and maintenance of health and recognizing the recuperative powers of the body.
(2) Chiropractic treatment or care includes the use of procedures involving spinal adjustments and extremity manipulation. Chiropractic treatment also includes the use of heat, cold, water, exercise, massage, trigger point therapy, dietary advice and recommendation of nutritional supplementation, the normal regimen and rehabilitation of the patient, first aid, and counseling on hygiene, sanitation, and preventive measures. Chiropractic care also includes such physiological therapeutic procedures as traction and light, but does not include procedures involving the application of sound, diathermy, or electricity.
(3) As part of a chiropractic differential diagnosis, a chiropractor shall perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health care providers. The chiropractic quality assurance commission shall provide by rule for the type and use of diagnostic and analytical devices and procedures consistent with this chapter.
(4) Chiropractic care shall not include the prescription or dispensing of any medicine or drug, the practice of obstetrics or surgery, the use of x-rays or any other form of radiation for therapeutic purposes, colonic irrigation, or any form of venipuncture.
(5) Nothing in this chapter prohibits or restricts any other practitioner of a "health profession" defined in RCW 18.120.020(4) from performing any functions or procedures the practitioner is licensed or permitted to perform, and the term "chiropractic" as defined in this chapter shall not prohibit a practitioner licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW from performing medical procedures, except such procedures shall not include the adjustment by hand of any articulation of the spine.
[ 2002 c 225 s 1; 1994 sp.s. c 9 s 102; 1992 c 241 s 2; 1974 ex.s. c 97 s 7.]

Notes:

Intent—1992 c 241: "This act is intended to expand the scope of practice of chiropractic only with regard to adjustment of extremities in connection with a spinal adjustment." [ 1992 c 241 s 1.]
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 97: See note following RCW 18.25.0192.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1980–2025 · leading case: Columbia Physical Therapy, Inc. v. Benton Franklin Orthopedic Assocs., PLLC, 228 P.3d 1260 (Wash. 2010).
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Columbia Physical Therapy, Inc. v. Benton Franklin Orthopedic Assocs., PLLC, 228 P.3d 1260 (Wash. 2010). “The legislature specifically provided, within the definition of the practice of medicine, that “a person licensed under this chapter shall not engage in the practice of chiropractic as defined in RCW 18.25.005.” RCW 18.71.011(4). This resulted in chiropractic being a distinct…”
Stockwell v. Washington State Chiropractic Disciplinary Bd., 622 P.2d 910 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981). · cites it 5× “The disciplinary board and Superior Court both found Stockwell guilty of unprofessional conduct by engaging in *298 the following acts or practices: (1) selling or dispensing vitamins in violation of WAC 113-12-080; (2) practicing a form of acupuncture known as "meridian…”
Mostrom v. Pettibon, 607 P.2d 864 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “RCW 18.25.005. See also State v. Wilson, 11 Wn.”
Foster v. Georgia Bd. of Chiropractic Examiners, 359 S.E.2d 877 (Ga. 1987). “” Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 18.25.005 . (7) In Stockwell v.”
McKenna v. Harrison Mem'l Hosp., 960 P.2d 486 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998). “011 (definition of the practice of medicine); RCW 18.25.005 (definition of chiropractic); RCW 18.”
Loushin v. ITT Rayonier, 924 P.2d 953 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 2× “” RCW 18.25.005(1). As part of his or her chiropractic diagnosis, a chiropractor is authorized to perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health care providers.”
Dobbins v. Commonwealth Aluminum Corp., 776 P.2d 139 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989). “Chiropractic in Washington is defined at RCW 18.25.005: For the purpose of chapters 18.”
Michael Gilmore v. Jefferson Cnty. Pub. Transp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “Chiropractic care does not include prescribing or dispensing of drugs or performing surgery.”
Wiggins v. Comm'r of Soc. Sec. (W.D. Wash. 2025). · cites it 2× “Castro opining on restrictions posed 13 by a claimant’s orthopedic injuries, see Wash. Rev. Code §§ 18.25.005 , 18.25.011.”
Columbia Physical Therapy v. Bfoa, 228 P.3d 1260 (Wash. 2010). “The legislature specifically provided, within the definition of the practice of medicine, that "a person licensed under this chapter shall not engage in the practice of chiropractic as defined in RCW 18.25.005." RCW 18.71.011(4). This resulted in chiropractic being a distinct…”
Celeste Ryan, V. Jeff Timmerman (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “RCW 18.25.005(1) prescribes the limits of chiropractic practice, providing, “Chiropractic is the practice of health care that deals with the diagnosis or analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its effects, articular dysfunction, and…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.25.005(1) — 3 cases
Loushin v. ITT Rayonier, 924 P.2d 953 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “” RCW 18.25.005(1). As part of his or her chiropractic diagnosis, a chiropractor is authorized to perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health care providers.”
Michael Gilmore v. Jefferson Cnty. Pub. Transp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “Chiropractic care does not include prescribing or dispensing of drugs or performing surgery.”
Celeste Ryan, V. Jeff Timmerman (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “RCW 18.25.005(1) prescribes the limits of chiropractic practice, providing, “Chiropractic is the practice of health care that deals with the diagnosis or analysis and care or treatment of the vertebral subluxation complex and its effects, articular dysfunction, and…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.25.005(3) — 2 cases
Loushin v. ITT Rayonier, 924 P.2d 953 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “” RCW 18.25.005(1). As part of his or her chiropractic diagnosis, a chiropractor is authorized to perform a physical examination, which may include diagnostic x-rays, to determine the appropriateness of chiropractic care or the need for referral to other health care providers.”
Michael Gilmore v. Jefferson Cnty. Pub. Transp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “Chiropractic care does not include prescribing or dispensing of drugs or performing surgery.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 18.25.005(4) — 1 case
Michael Gilmore v. Jefferson Cnty. Pub. Transp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “Chiropractic care does not include prescribing or dispensing of drugs or performing surgery.”
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