Amber Laris
Chiropractor and Osteopath INFORMATION SHEET Should I Visit a Physiotherapist or a Chiropractor? It is not always clear in the public mind about the difference between physiotherapists and chiropractors, with regards to both the work they do and the philosophy underpinning their approach to health and well-being. We briefly outline here what the primary differences are, and what you can expect from a course of treatment in each
Neck pain? Problems with your lower back? A sporting injury? Pain caused through an accident? Any or all of these conditions can, to varying degrees, impact on your quality of life. The need for relief is usually pressing, but it can sometimes be difficult to know who to turn to to get effective treatment. You may receive advice and suggestions from family or friends, but this advice, however well-meaning, can often be contradictory. Therefore, who is the most appropriate medical professional to consult when you are hampered by lower back pain, a stiff neck, or aching joints? Before you can make an informed decision, it is useful to have at least a broad understanding of the types of treatment options available to you. The types of pain and injuries described above are most frequently the result of musculoskeletal problems, and in this case patients are often recommended to visit either a physiotherapist or a chiropractor. The differences between the two disciplines are not necessarily clear-cut in the minds of many people
but, while there may be some points of similarity, there are nevertheless some important differences between the two. Ultimately, these differences might most usefully be described as philosophical and procedural. Physiotherapy is primarily concerned with responding to muscular and joint pain through rehabilitative exercises and the use of massage and stretching, which may be combined with other processes, such as ultrasound, hydrotherapy or heat therapy. Physiotherapists are often called upon to help patients recover their mobility after an accident or injury, and to assist them in managing pain. Soft tissue problems are also an area in which physiotherapists tend to specialise. Essential to chiropractic is the idea that good health and well-being are dependent upon a proper functioning relationship between the nervous system and the spine, with the body’s bones, organs, joints, tissues and muscles. Therefore, for a patient with
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