Three therapists walk into a bar! When people find out that I am osteopath the next question is usually ‘what is the difference between an osteopath, a chiropractor and a physiotherapist and which one would be the best for me to see?’ Here is my attempt at a simple answer to that question which I hope makes sense. If there is anything you are not sure about please feel free to contact me for more information.
Osteopath, chiropractor, physiotherapist?
Choosing a therapist can be like entering a maze
I have made some generalisations so I apologise to all of the therapists who read this and say ‘that’s not what I do!’ This summary is aimed at helping people understand a bit more about why we do what we do as therapists and I have deliberately kept it at a ‘high level’. Feel free to post comments if I have missed something fundamental about the way you practice, as anything that increases understanding can only be a good thing. Probably the most important point to make is that anyone using the title osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist is a highly-trained healthcare professional that has studied for 3 – 5 years and must be registered with the appropriate regulatory
What they do
within your body’s structure and function. The treatment approach can involve a combination of manipulative, structural, cranial and soft tissue techniques which
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis
are effective for a wide range of
and treatment based on the view
muscular, nerve and joint problems.
that when the body is balanced and working well, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear. Osteopaths use a detailed case history and physical examination to identify musculoskeletal problems
Like osteopaths, chiropractors take a case history and perform an examination to diagnose problems involving your muscles, joints and the nervous system. A chiropractic exam is more likely to involve the use of MRI, X-rays or CT scans as well as other diagnostic tests to identify any problems. They treat muscles, joints, and bones using a range of techniques, with an emphasis on manipulation of the spine to resolve any problems identified. Physiotherapists treat
authority i.e. General Osteopathic
problems associated with
Council, General Chiropractic
ligaments, muscles, tendons,
Council or Health and Care
and joints and are known
Professions Council.
for their provision of post-
Issue 19 | 49
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
The Business Bulletin
