Chiropractor versus Physiotherapist

When treating and managing chronic pain or injury, it is important to seek professional treatment to cure your condition and prevent further damage. However, with so many treatment approaches and options, it can be difficult to know what type of professional to see. If you suffer from chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain, you may want to undergo treatment to correct problems with your spine, muscles, and nerves. Two types of therapy can help you manage chronic pain: chiropractic and physical therapy.

These treatment approaches have important differences and similarities that must be considered before choosing a therapeutic route. Here, we’ll go over the goals of each treatment approach and the unique benefits each offers to help you choose between a chiropractor versus physiotherapist for your chronic pain.

Chiropractor versus Physiotherapist Treatment Approaches

Both physiotherapy and chiropractic are considered alternative treatments because they are not invasive and do not require surgical or pharmaceutical intervention; they work in conjunction with these treatments. Although similar, these therapies differ in:

• Treatment techniques and methods
• Conditions and diseases treated
• Types of individuals treated

Chiropractic Treatment Approach

In chiropractic care, practitioners view the body as intrinsically connected and capable of healing itself. Therefore, chiropractors use a practical and non-invasive approach to heal their patients. Chiropractors individually evaluate each patient’s body and identify misalignments in the spine and muscles that cause pressure on the central nervous system and can lead to chronic pain.

If you have a neck or back injury, you may be wondering what a chiropractor will treat and if they can improve your condition. A chiropractor can treat various musculoskeletal systems, including the following:

• Sciatica pain
• Back, low back, and neck pain
• Sports injuries
• Repetitive motion injury
• Whiplash as well as other car accident injuries
• Chronic headaches
• Arthritis

Also, chiropractors can use their knowledge to specialize in areas such as orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, and even nutrition.

Physiotherapy Treatment Approach

In physiotherapy, practitioners diagnose physical abnormalities in patients and help them regain strength, improve balance, as well as gain mobility and freedom of movement. A physiotherapist can also identify risks to their patients’ health and work with them to improve physical condition and general well-being. Physiotherapists create an individual plan for each patient based on the underlying condition. A physiotherapist will focus on the long-term rehabilitation of a patient to restore health and prevent future damage. Patients may see a physiotherapist for a number of reasons, including:

• Sports injuries
• Greater mobility in older adults
• Recovery from an operation
• Recovery from diseases such as stroke or multiple sclerosis

Like chiropractors, a physiotherapist can narrow their practice by specializing in occupational therapy, sports medicine, geriatrics, etc.

Choosing between a Chiropractic versus Physiotherapist Treatment

If you’ve recently been injured or want chronic pain relief, it is essential to consider all treatment options to improve your quality of life. Chiropractic and physiotherapy are just two of the many complementary therapies that you can use to restore your health and prevent future damage.

Furthermore, you may find that including both therapies in your wellness plan can be beneficial for your condition. At Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy, we have fully trained chiropractors and physiotherapists in Edmonton, Alberta to help you manage your pain.