Physiotherapy vs Chiropractor

How do you know if you should seek physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment for your condition? There are marked differences between the two practices, but you may not see how well they complement one another, which is why Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy has both in our clinic. Physiotherapists and chiropractors take the time to understand each patient’s physical ailments and complexities, what causes mobility problems, and how they interfere with their regular life.

There can be a lot of overlap between these two practices. Physiotherapists and chiropractors aim to treat musculoskeletal and joint problems to relieve pain, increase strength, correct movement, and help you regain full function. However, as in many other disciplines, there is a wide range of treatment styles in physiotherapy and chiropractic. It’s important not to put the entire profession in one box after visiting a professional. The fundamental difference between the two is that a physical therapist uses mobilization techniques, while a chiropractor uses joint manipulation more often.

What is Chiropractic?

While many understand that it specializes in back, neck, and head pain, chiropractic is a musculoskeletal field that focuses on the nervous system and its connection to pain management and the ability of the body to heal itself. Chiropractors use their hands or other instruments to manipulate the problem areas in the spine non-invasively to make them function again so that the body can heal problem areas that it could not care for because of the stop signs received through the spine.

If you have a neck or back injury, you may wonder what a chiropractor will treat and if they can help you. Chiropractors can treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal systems, such as:

• Neck, low back, and back pain
• Sciatica pain
• Sports injuries
• Arthritis
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Chronic headaches
• Whiplash and other injuries caused by a car accident

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy specializes in body movement and strength and uses non-invasive treatments to diagnose and cure mobility and lifestyle problems. While physical therapy is best known for rehabilitation, it can help restore movement and strength for a variety of reasons, including chronic pain, damage from old injuries, repetitive movements that lead to discomfort, and maintaining mobility while living with a chronic illness like diabetes. Treatments include massage, manual therapy and exercise, ultrasound, acupuncture, and shock waves. Your physical therapist will give you a strategy to maintain your mobility and prevent your condition from getting worse.

Patients can visit a physiotherapy clinic for several reasons, including:

• Greater mobility in the elderly
• Sports injuries
• Recovery from surgery
• Restore the normal range of motion of the joints

Just like chiropractors, physiotherapists can limit their practice by specializing in occupational therapy, sports medicine, geriatrics, etc.

Should I choose a Physiotherapist or a Chiropractor?

The choice depends on personal preferences. There is no right or wrong answer, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any useful facts to consider in making the final decision.

First, if the pain is caused by problems with the spine or nervous system, chiropractors may be a better option. Note that a chiropractor has been trained in spinal and nervous system health for at least five years. Also, they specialize in pain management and can develop specific exercises to aid recovery. If a musculoskeletal injury caused the pain, a physiotherapist may be a better option. Ultimately, they’re masters of pain management.