After the common cold, back pain is boomers' most common health complaint.

Stress, heavy lifting and sudden twists can trigger spasms that result in inflammation of the back muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Most M.D.s prescribe rest and painkillers for neck and back pain, but chiropractic, the manipulation of the spine once derided as the profession of quacks, is gaining in popularity.

Cost: $130 to $150 for initial visit and diagnosis; $50 to $70 for follow-up visits (usually four to six are needed).

Most insurance plans cover chiropractic.

What's new: "Integrative chiropractic" combines spinal manipulation with massage, acupuncture, herbology and other holistic therapies.

Downside: Some practitioners really are quacks.