In properly selected patients, spinal manipulation is an alternative to the standard conservative approach to low-back pain. In this paper, an approach to the patient with low-back pain emphasizes the importance of a thorough history, physical examination, and diagnosis prior to manipulation. In addition to listing indications and contraindications, the authors discuss the process of selecting patients for manipulation according to pain and range of motion. Two manipulative techniques which can be easily learned and performed in the office by the family physician are described.