While both physiotherapy and chiropractic care have the same aim which is to treat and manage pain and stiffness in the body there are a number of differences in approach. Both disciplines are practised by licensed professionals who spent many years gaining the knowledge and qualifications required to ensure patients receive the best level of care possible.
In this blog post we will take a more indepth look at the two disciplines, examine how they differ, what benefits there are and how you can choose the treatment that will be most effective for your particular condition.
What Similarities are There Between Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Care
As we mentioned earlier both physiotherapists and chiropractors have a similar end goal, even though they use different techniques to achieve them. However, there are a number of similarities between the two professions which include:
- Both use noninvasive, nonsurgical methods to help alleviate pain
- Both can employ manual or hands-on therapy to address particular conditions.
- Both might treat, or collaborate in treating, the same health issues.
- Both can develop wellness plans for their patients that extend beyond the treatment session.
- Both look at your medical history and conduct physical examinations, and may even use tests to evaluate your symptoms
- Physiotherapists and chiropractors are certified health professionals who have undergone many years of education and training to attain their qualifications.
What are the Main Differences?
Even though there are similarities there are some essential differences in the way the two different practitioners operate. Listed below are some of the key differences between the two.
Physiotherapists
- One of the main goals of physiotherapy is to provide a patient with pain free movement
- A physiotherapist is concerned with the movement of the body as a whole and how it functions
- Physical therapists use stretches and exercises along with massages and manipulations to help patients improve their mobility.
- Physiotherapists can be found in all areas of healthcare as well as carrying out home visits
Chiropractors
- The key aims of chiropractic care are spine realignment and pain relief
- A chiropractor will focus mainly on issues that relate to back, neck and joint pain in the arms and legs along with headaches.
- Chiropractors help the body heal itself by performing manipulations and adjustments
- Chiropractors will normally work in specialised facilities using the equipment needed to help carry out manipulations and adjustments.
What Does Physiotherapy involve
The main focus of any physiotherapist is to help you move and function without pain which will undoubtedly improve your quality of life. They achieve this by guiding you through a series of different stretches and exercises while also educating you on the best way to stay healthy and active.
The treatments used by physiotherapists use include:
- An assessment of your pain, flexibility, and movement
- A programme of exercises, stretches, or hands-on manipulation designed to make you stronger and provide you with better movement
- Education on the part posture plays and instruction on the ways you can move that helps you avoid injury or pain
- They will utilise heat or cold therapy to reduce pain
- Physiotherapists routinely provide you with a wellness plan designed to improve your overall health
- Performing wound care
It is possible a patient may only need several sessions with a physiotherapist before noticing a significant improvement in their condition. Alternatively other patients may need a programme of ongoing treatment to alleviate the pain they are suffering.
When do People normally Use Physiotherapy
There are a number of different reasons why you may be referred to or choose to use the services of a physiotherapist.
- To help you recover from a sports injury
- To help with injuries sustained in an accident
- Post surgery recovery
- To help with a health condition
- If you are suffering pain that relates to movement
- If you want to maintain or increase your ability to move with ease
- It can also help during pregnancy or after having children
Physiotherapy in Leeds or anywhere else is routinely used to help patients recover from or manage conditions such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- COPD
Physiotherapy or Chiropractic Care Which One to Choose
So, how do you decide which form of treatment is best for you? Well that is really dependent on what condition you are suffering from and your particular needs. On occasions and depending on what condition you have you may use both forms of treatment to help alleviate the pain you are suffering from.
We would always advise speaking to your doctor before making a final decision, they can advise you in the different ways a certain type of therapy will help with your specific condition.
If you need any help or guidance regarding physiotherapy, contact our experienced physiotherapists and they will be more than happy to help!