Chiropractor vs Physiotherapist
If you have muscular or skeletal pain, it is important to know which treatment option you will need. Chiropractic care and physiotherapy have been shown to help overcome these pains. There are some critical differences and similarities in the treatment approaches that you should consider in order to find the best treatment option for your needs. In this article, we will offer you a comprehensive comparison of a chiropractor vs physiotherapist.
Chiropractor
Chiropractors manipulate the neuro-musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and cartilage) to realign your body and manage, reduce, or overcome stress and pain. Patients with neck pain, chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, headache, and fibromyalgia have found relief with this therapy.
Benefits of Chiropractic
Chiropractors can offer certain benefits to people with various musculoskeletal problems. They include:
- Personalized Treatment: Chiropractors evaluate each patient and find the best way to naturally adjust their body to provide relief.
- Safe and non-invasive: This form of therapy has a low risk of complications. It rarely causes long-term side effects – the possible benefits of overcoming low back and neck pain outweigh the risks.
Physiotherapist
When an injury or illness has compromised a patient’s balance, strength, or mobility, a physiotherapist will focus on restoring their health through various treatment techniques. Physiotherapy can control pain in several ways, including:
- Education
- Techniques such as joint manipulation, muscle stretching, and imagery exercises
- Manual therapy
- Active physiotherapy
- Passive physiotherapy
- Posture improvement
Physiotherapy works to restore and support long-term mobility and general health. Here are some benefits you can get for your back or neck injury.
- Injury Prevention: The physiotherapist identifies patterns and problems in their patients and thus develops an appropriate treatment plan to avoid long-term problems.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery: This therapy is a great option for patients suffering from injury or illness, as it can rehabilitate the body and speed recovery.
- Reduced Medication and Surgery Needs: A physiotherapist’s opinion can help the health team make informed decisions about a patient’s needs, potentially minimizing the need for invasive treatments.
Chiropractor vs Physiotherapist
If you’re looking to overcome chronic pain or have recently suffered an injury or illness, it is imperative to consider both treatment options to improve your well-being. You will be surprised that one therapy is the best option for you. Integrating physiotherapy and chiropractic will be of significant benefit to you. Put simply, the decision is about recovery.

Dr. Ashley Todd is the owner and certified chiropractor at Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy, with more than 15 years of professional experience. Registered with the College of Chiropractors of Alberta and the Chiropractic Association of Alberta, Dr. Todd holds a Kinesiology degree from the University of British Columbia and a Doctorate of Chiropractic. He is fully certified in Active Release Techniques (ART) and treats athletes for the Edmonton Elks and Oil Kings. Dr. Todd is dedicated to helping people move better, perform stronger, and live pain-free.