What Is Really The Different Between Physiotherapy And Chiropractic Care?
The difference between chiropractic care and physiotherapy is often difficult to spot at first glance. Both treatments are effective in providing relief of pain and other relevant medical symptoms. Like physiotherapist, chiropractor’s treatment aims to provide ongoing maintenance of the patient’s condition, as well as educating the patient on prevention and explaining the process of rehabilitation.
But the truth is, the treatment methods used by chiropractors and physiotherapists are so different from one another that a chiropractor cannot be considered as a physiotherapist, at least when it comes to treating a spinal cord injuries.
What You Need To Know About Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is designed to treat pain and other disturbances to the musculoskeletal system that can result from injury or disease. Physiotherapy focuses on movements and functions to the injured area in order to reduce the pain and inflammation. Its goal is to improve function through the identification and modification of problem areas.
The physiotherapy treatment may include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, manual pressure, and exercise. It also may require the use of a splint to hold the muscles in the injured region to improve joint mobility. Physiotherapists can also recommend braces or compression socks based on the person’s conditions and completion of the assessment.
Literally, physiotherapy can treat pretty much all musculoskeletal injuries such as:
- Ankle sprains / Ligaments strains
- Back and neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel
- Hip pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic pain
- Concussion
- Vestibular neurotis
- TMJ
The list can go on and on…Furthermore, within the profession of physiotherapy, there are a few branches of specialization.
- Manual therapy
- Pelvic health (woman’s and men’s health)
- Pediatric (infant to teenager)
- Neuro rehabilitation (MS, Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Brain injury)
You could say that is the major difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic care. Chiropractors do not have branches of specialization like physiotherapists. However, they can also specialize in pediatric and take additional training to learn different techniques and modalities.
What You Need To Know About Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors use a whole range of manipulative techniques and treatments for patients who suffer from neuromuscular, vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal problems.
The primary goal of chiropractic care is to restore proper spinal alignment and provide support to help prevent future injury or pain. Some chiropractors use spinal manipulation in addition to other forms of treatments.
A chiropractor can also diagnose and use the same appellation as doctors (e.g. Dr. Maggie Juarez). They will generally treat the specific areas of the body that are affected by an injury or disease. In most cases, they will use manual therapy or chiropractic manipulation to treat these areas.
They will assess the patient and prescribe treatment based on the underlying cause. It is very common for chiropractor’s clients to remain with their chiropractor for life. The same way people behave with their own family doctor.
Chiropractic is often used in conjunction with other treatment options. A chiropractor might also refer to a physiotherapist and/or an acupuncturist as alternative treatments.
As for the type of injury chiropractor can treat, it’s pretty much the same as physiotherapist. The main difference as mentioned earlier is the techniques used during treatment. While chiropractors rely mainly on spinal adjustment and manipulation to decrease pain and decrease inflammation, a physiotherapist uses manual therapy, traction, and exercise to treat pain and improve mobility.
The Best Of Both World
Chiropractors and physiotherapists often work hand in hand together to speed up patient’s recovery. However, the best scenario is to find a clinic with an integrated care approach. They usually offer more than two services. For example, at Pillars of Wellness in Burlington, Ontario.
Services are Physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, naturopathy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture and yoga therapy. What more convenient than having all the services under one roof?
Plus, the level of collaboration is such that it benefit anyone wanting to optimize their health and speed of recovery. For more information, feel free to contact us!
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