Difference between Physio and Chiro
One of the most common questions asked to practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “What is the difference between Chiro and Physio?” Are they not all the same? “
In general, both professions seek to offer solutions to physical ailments such as neck and back pain, sports injuries, weight lifting injuries, and problems with our mobile body. However, each profession has its ideology on the best way to rehabilitate and repair your injury.
Physio
Physio can be divided into 3 areas:
Musculoskeletal Physio: This is the type of physiotherapy you would see if you had back or sporting pain and its practice involves bones and muscles.
Cardiorespiratory Physio: This typeof physio helps people with heart or lung disease. For example, they help people who have had a lung or heart transplant to return to their daily life, or they help those with cystic fibrosis to clear their paths.
Neurological Physio: This involves those people who have suffered spinal cord injuries as a result of diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or serious injuries such as traffic accidents, to learn to control their bodies.
What Kind of People Needs to See a Physio?
Physios work mainly with teenagers and young people injured by sports. For example, let’s say a man is playing basketball, jumps to shoot the hoop, lands, and rotates his ankle. Now he can no longer walk on it and can no longer bear weight without pain. He can visit a physio for a complete evaluation, including one known as the Ottawa Ankle Rules. These will help physios decide if the athlete needs an X-ray to check for broken bones.
Treatment will vary from case to case, depending on age, severity, and what the athlete wants to return to. However, a common treatment plan is to relieve pressure on the ankle (which sometimes means a moon boot) while it heals, and then give the athlete a list of home exercises as rehab. Treatments physios perform at the clinic include dry needling, massages, icing, heating pads, duct tape, and the use of a TENS device for pain relief.
What Kind of People Needs to See a Chiro?
The average chiro patient varies, generally from young adults upwards. The public perception of chiropractic care is generally that they help relieve headaches, neck pain, and lower back problems. However, chiropractic practice helps everything. You don’t need to have symptoms for a chiro to rebalance you. They generally recommend that patients come in monthly.
Are you still having trouble deciding between physio and chiro? Contact us today at Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy for a free consultation to help you decide the best treatment plan for your condition.

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.