Did you know that there are over 35 million patients treated every year from Chiropractic care? Similarly, there is a large number of patients treated by physiotherapy as well! But why do people choose one over the other? If you’re wondering what the difference is between chiropractors and physiotherapists, you’re not alone. Both practitioners are involved in helping patients improve their mobility and reduce pain, but there are some key differences between the two professions.
Today we are going to take a look at chiropractor vs. physiotherapy. Let’s get started!
Chiropractor and Physiotherapy
Both chiropractors and physiotherapists are involved in helping patients improve their mobility and reduce pain. However, chiropractors specialize in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, while physiotherapists also treat patients with cardiovascular and respiratory problems, among others.
Another similarity between chiropractors and physiotherapists is that they both use a variety of techniques to help their patients, including massage, stretching, and exercise. They may also use electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or heat therapy to help relieve pain and inflammation.
What exactly do Chiropractors and physiotherapy have in common? Well, there are a few things that they both accomplish, which include:
- They focus on noninvasive and nonsurgical techniques for reducing pain and discomfort.
- They may employ manual or hands-on therapy to address a certain condition.
- They may treat the same conditions.
- They may give their patients additional wellness treatments beyond what they can provide in a single session.
- They examine your symptoms, take your health history, examine you, and even order various tests to determine if you have an illness.
- Both physical therapists, as well as chiropractors, are licensed health professionals with extensive education and training.
As you can see there are quite a lot of similarities between the two, however, there is quite a lot that they have differences as well. Let’s take a look at each one individually and talk about why you may choose one over the other based on your needs.
What is a Chiropractor
A chiropractor is a health professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help their patients, including manual or hands-on therapy, massage, stretching, and exercise. They may also use electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or heat therapy to help relieve pain and inflammation.
What Conditions Do Chiropractors Treat?
Chiropractors often treat patients with back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal problems. However, they can also treat other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy-related back pain.
When Should You Choose a Chiropractor?
There are many benefits to seeing a chiropractor as they can help reduce the pain that you may be experiencing. If you’re wondering when you should choose a chiropractor, there are a couple of reasons. These include:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Joint pain
- Headaches
If you’re experiencing any of these high levels of pain, then you should speak with a local chiropractor, as they can provide the necessary treatment to alleviate the pain and help you recover.
What is Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a branch of medicine that deals with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of physical and mental conditions. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to help their patients, including manual or hands-on therapy, massage, stretching, and exercise. They may also use means of therapy to help relieve pain and inflammation.
What Conditions Do Physiotherapists Treat?
Physiotherapists often treat patients with musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint pain. However, they can also treat other conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory problems, among others.
When Should You Choose Physiotherapy?
Like chiropractors, physiotherapists can help reduce pain and discomfort from limited mobility. If you’re wondering when you should choose physiotherapy, here are a couple of reasons:
If you have limited movement due to:
- An accident
- Injuries
- A surgery
- Health condition
- Pain from movement
Then you should see a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is also a good option to build bad strength and injury prevention.
If you’re experiencing any of these at high levels of pain, then you should speak with a physiotherapy clinic, as they can provide the necessary treatment to alleviate the pain and help you recover.
Choosing Between Chiropractors vs. Physiotherapists
Choosing between chiropractors and physiotherapists can be difficult as they both offer similar services. Choosing between the two may be hard as they do have a lot of similarities.
As a loose rule of thumb though, if you are experiencing an acute spinal condition, such as neck pain or sciatica, then you may want to visit a chiropractor. They’ll be able to provide pain relief and get your body back to normal.
If you are experiencing a movement issue in your joints, a sports injury, or pain from surgery, then a physiotherapist may be your best choice. They can assess a program, and walk you through ongoing treatment to reduce your pain and improve your mobility again.
Consider whether your pain is more joint and spinal in origin, or muscular and movement-related.
The best course of action is to schedule a consultation with a chiropractor or physiotherapist, who will examine your condition and work with you on a treatment strategy. Chiropractors and physiotherapists may sometimes suggest the other’s services as extra assistance in the recovery and for your general health and wellness.
Getting the Treatment You Need
Each patient’s unique circumstances and requirements are considered while developing a tailored treatment strategy for them, ensuring optimum health results. No matter the differences between chiropractors vs. physiotherapists, if you are in pain, you should contact a local office to find the right treatment plan.
Chiropractors and physiotherapists are both great options for those seeking relief from pain. However, chiropractors are best suited for those with acute spinal conditions, while physiotherapists are better for those with movement issues in their joints or pain from surgery. No matter which you choose, make sure to consult with a professional to develop a tailored treatment strategy that meets your specific needs. Contact our team today to learn more about the services we provide at our Wellness Center in San Diego County.