Often it can be challenging to figure out which health professional is best suited to treat your health condition.
In this article, we breakdown the similarities and differences between a physiotherapist, chiropractor, and osteopath.
All of these caring experts are equally important to your overall health. These professionals deal with physical conditions that affect your strength, mobility, or both.
But each of these health professionals practices differently. Each has a different approach to treatment and care that can help you treat your injury or pain.
Let’s break down the main differences so you can feel confident in finding the right professional for the care you need.
What is a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists work with patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Physiotherapists diagnose and treat a whole range of conditions, from musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory to neurological complaints.
Common techniques used in treatment musculoskeletal conditions include:
- mobilisation
- exercise
- massage
These techniques help patients regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
What is a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who specializes in treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. The treatment is focused on the spine.
Chiropractors mainly use spinal manipulation as a treatment option to reduce pain, improve function and promote healing.
Generally, an examination will involve testing your range of motion, strength, and reflexes.
What is an Osteopath?
An osteopath is a healthcare professional who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Osteopathy is a manual therapy that uses the hands to diagnose and treat the body. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to treat patients, including:
- manipulation
- mobilisation
- massage
Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to healthcare and looks at the body as a whole.
Which Professional to See When Dealing with Muscular Pain
Many things can make it difficult to choose if you need a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or osteopath when dealing with muscular pain.
All three of these professionals can help to relieve pain and improve mobility. But they each have their unique approach.
Chiropractor
Chiropractors focus on the spine and use manual adjustments to realign the bones and improve function.
Chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine and nervous system and believe that disorders of the musculoskeletal system can affect overall health.
Osteopath
Osteopaths use a variety of techniques, including manipulation of the bones and soft tissue. They treat the whole body.
They believe that the body is interconnected and that treating one area can impact the entire body.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists focus on treating the immediate issue and look at providing physical rehabilitation to help patients regain functionality, independence as well as preventing future injuries.
Physiotherapists use exercise, massage, and other hands-on techniques to relieve pain and improve function.
Know When to Go for a Physiotherapy Session
A physiotherapy session can help you move better, manage pain, and feel better overall. But how do you know when it’s time to see a physiotherapist? If you’re struggling with pain or movement issues, it’s worth considering physiotherapy treatment.
A physiotherapist can help you identify the source of your problem and create a treatment plan to address it. If you’re not sure whether physiotherapy is right for you, contact us and our physiotherapist at Doreen will be able to discuss your condition.