Chiropractic Vs. Physical Therapy:
The Lowdown
FUNDAMENTALLY, THERE IS AN OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO PROFESSIONS – WHO AND WHAT THEY TREAT, BUT THERE ARE SUBTLE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC & PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Play VideoEver had back pain followed by someone advising you to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? At that moment, you might have asked yourself, what is the difference between the two? Are they one and the same? Is one better than the other?
These are a few of the questions I get asked on a daily basis as a chiropractor, here at Well Health & Chiropractic and you are not the only one confused.
The common perception is that physical therapists and chiropractors treat back issues and it is right to do so. Both practitioners use non-invasive, drug-free treatment options to deal with musculoskeletal and back-related disorders. Since both chiropractors and physical therapists work with muscles, back, and neck pain, it can be confusing to know the difference.
These similarities are also the main reason why many think physical therapy and chiropractic care are interchangeable, but there are slight, yet significant differences which we will address in a bit.
Chiropractic vs. Physical Therapy
Fundamentally, there is an overlap between the two professions – who and what they treat, but there are subtle similarities and differences between chiropractors and physical therapists. Both chiropractors and physical therapists are knowledgeable musculoskeletal practitioners, require a university degree, and hold certification to practice their various specialties. They treat musculoskeletal problems to increase mobility, decrease pain and help return you to full function.
Now, even though they may seem similar at a glance, both the professions have a different approach to health, so it is important to understand what sets each one apart from the others before deciding which of these professionals is best for you. Neither of the treatments is more or less effective or ‘better’ than the other and the nature and cause of the problem decide which of these to consult and visit.
What does a Chiropractor do?
When you think about chiropractors, you will most definitely be thinking about back issues and bone-cracking but there’s more to chiropractic care than simply cracking bones. Chiropractors are alternative health care professionals who focus on issues concerning neuromuscular disorders to help restore and realign the body to alleviate pain caused by pulled or pinched nerves and misaligned vertebrae. They do so by using a practice called chiropractic manipulations.
Commonly, chiropractors treat issues like lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tension headaches along with dizziness or vertigo. They are the experts when it comes to the health of your spine and nervous system and undergo extensive training to assess and treat spinal problems. Overall, chiropractors have a holistic approach to treatment and may recommend nutrition, or lifestyle changes to you in the form of exercise, changing your diet, or everyday habits.
Chiropractors use their hands to find and adjust the spine, and joints which show signs of restricted movement. This adjustment is also knowns as chiropractic manipulation. They are highly trained professionals and require years of practice to perform these gentle, yet specific manipulations to help restore normal movement to decrease pain and improve functionality in the body.
With minute adjustments, coupled with their holistic approach to food, nutrition, and lifestyle, they can help you improve and heal your pain not in your back but in other connecting areas.
A usual session with a chiropractor typically involves:
- Assessment and diagnosis of the issue – you may be required to get x-rays or tests done.
- Chiropractic adjustment and manipulation
- Devising a treatment and prevention plan
What does a Physical therapist do?
Similar to chiropractors, physical therapists (commonly referred to as physiotherapists) also work with their hands. Their main focus is on treating the injury and disorder by achieving mobilization and normal body function without utilizing medicine or surgery. In other words, they work with the patient to restore movement in muscles after an accident or trauma, ease the pain and in general, improve their quality of life through techniques like exercise, stretching, and other mobilization techniques.
Physical therapists are said to be movement experts. Their practice is focused on restoring normal, pain-free movement for individuals. They work with a wide array of people with various issues and usually treat issues relating to back and neck pain, sciatica, repetitive movement injury, arthritis, swelling in joints, sports injuries as well as cartilage, ligament and tendon damage. They also assist in pre-and post-operative rehabilitation and developmental delay in children among a variety of musculoskeletal issues.
To heal and restore movement after an injury or trauma some physical therapists employ hands-on techniques like massage, stretching and exercises like joint mobilization and manipulation, stretching, taping, heat and ice while others prescribing electrical or physical aids to the client.
Some use a combination of both. Physical therapists also have a somewhat holistic approach to treatment. They treat the problem using a combination of mobilization, massage and manipulation techniques coupled with teaching the client self-management techniques to maintain and avoid injury in the future.
A usual session with a physical therapist typically involves:
- Assessment and diagnosis of the client’s issue based on their medical history
- Setting recovery goals
- Devising a treatment and prevention plan
- Prescribing exercise, physical aides if required
Differences between a Chiropractor and a Physical therapist
Both chiropractors and physical therapists treat musculoskeletal problems to improve movement in muscles and joints, with the end goal of decreasing pain and improving quality of life. However, the major difference both the professionals is that chiropractors work with nerves, vertebra, and spinal cord, whereas, physical therapists work with soft tissue and muscles. There are few other differences among them that set each profession apart from the other.
A Different Approach
Both chiropractors and physical therapists treat similar problems, but their approach is different. Chiropractic care tends to take a more hands-on approach, whereas physical therapy may make use of physical devices as treatment options along with hands.
A Different Technique
Chiropractors use vertebra and joint manipulation whereas physical therapists use mobilization techniques – exercises, massages, other physical aids, and therapies.
Similarities between a Chiropractor and a Physical therapist
While both practices may differ due to their different approaches to treatment, there are a lot of similarities as well. The biggest similarity is that both chiropractors and physical therapists have a holistic approach to physical ailments and they both look beyond just the physical symptoms of the illness and focus on an individual’s lifestyle and social and psychological factors.
This means that rather than simply focusing on the physical symptoms, both focus on finding and addressing the underlying cause of the issue – be it psychological or physical.
So, if a patient comes with back pain, a physical therapist and a chiropractor both will attempt to identify why the problem occurred in the first place. They understand that medication with lessen the pain but addressing the cause of the issue with allowing the client to avoid pain in the future as well. In this case, there is a chance that the pain is a result of poor posture or perhaps it is due to psychological issues like stress or anxiety.
Which is better?
The answer is neither one is better than the other. It simply depends on the nature of your problem. Some find relief in chiropractic care, while others find working with a physical therapist to be helpful.
Take, for example, your back is stiff and you feel restricted in your movement – medication and exercises have been of no help, then what do you do? You see a chiropractor because there is a high chance that your spinal cord is out of alignment and a simple adjustment will fix the issue.
On the other hand, if your back hurts due to a previous injury, a physical therapist will be able to help you by prescribing your movement exercises. Most chiropractors now use a holistic approach, while others simply treat your back pain to treat the short-term issue. So which chiropractor you choose to work with is important.
FAQ about Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
Are Chiropractors and physical therapists Doctors? Both chiropractors and physical therapists subject matter experts in their respective fields, but don’t classify as a medical doctor.
Physical therapists in the US usually complete a three-year degree program of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) after their bachelor’s degree. Chiropractors, on the other hand, obtain a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree followed by a year of extensive training.
It’s important to mention here that both physical therapists and chiropractors do not have a medical licensing to practice as a Medical Doctor (MD), which means that they can’t prescribe medication nor perform surgery.
How many sessions are required? Both chiropractic care and physical therapy are similar in the sense that they require multiple and recurring sessions to completely heal. With that said, how long a treatment will last depends on the complexity of the problem as well as the speed with which the patient is able to recover naturally.
As far as the time, it depends on the nature of the condition; a typical session can last between 30 minutes and an hour. Initial appointments usually last longer, but with time as the body starts healing, the duration and frequency of the sessions decreases.
Are there any side effects of physical therapy and chiropractic care? Just like any other form of treatment, physical therapy and chiropractic care both have side effects. These side effects are usually physical due to the physical nature of the treatment and can range from slight pain and soreness in muscle, slight bruising, swelling and inflammation. These symptoms usually subside within a few to 48 hours. Physical therapists perform various physical exercises, thus exacerbating the pain. Similarly, patients can feel a little sore in the muscles after a chiropractic treatment.
It is important to mention that like any medical treatment, physical therapy and chiropractic care do not guarantee complete or quick recovery. In fact, as mentioned before, it requires multiple sessions to start seeing results. This factor, combined with a possible increase in pain and swelling, can be discouraging to some patients leading them to give up after a session.
Concluding Thoughts
Both physical therapy and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand and you can’t write one-off in favor of the other without giving it a try. While the underlying philosophy of each profession may differ, many people find that physical therapy and chiropractic care complement each other well. Some have a clear favorite and swear by it, while others haven’t decided yet.
Physical therapy helps you strengthen your muscles by mobilization technique, but it won’t necessarily fix the bulging disc – for that you need chiropractic care. Mobilization and manipulation techniques couples with an understanding of the cause of your problem allow chiropractors and physical therapists to treat and heal you. If you are experiencing pain, the first step towards recovery is to get yourself professionally examined.
At well health and chiropractic center, we use a holistic approach to treating disorders and pains. Our goal is to treat the underlying cause of the problem, while still performing effective therapies that alleviate your pain and improve the quality of your life, today and in the future.
If you are interested in knowing more about the benefits of chiropractic care or whether or not it is the right treatment for you, schedule your New Patient Special!
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Chiropractic Vs. Physical Therapy: The Lowdown
FUNDAMENTALLY, THERE IS AN OVERLAP BETWEEN THE TWO PROFESSIONS – WHO AND WHAT THEY TREAT, BUT THERE ARE SUBTLE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC & PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Play VideoEver had back pain followed by someone advising you to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? At that moment, you might have asked yourself, what is the difference between the two? Are they one and the same? Is one better than the other?
These are a few of the questions I get asked on a daily basis as a chiropractor, here at Well Health & Chiropractic and you are not the only one confused.
The common perception is that physical therapists and chiropractors treat back issues and it is right to do so. Both practitioners use non-invasive, drug-free treatment options to deal with musculoskeletal and back-related disorders. Since both chiropractors and physical therapists work with muscles, back, and neck pain, it can be confusing to know the difference.
These similarities are also the main reason why many think physical therapy and chiropractic care are interchangeable, but there are slight, yet significant differences which we will address in a bit.
Chiropractic vs. Physical Therapy
Fundamentally, there is an overlap between the two professions – who and what they treat, but there are subtle similarities and differences between chiropractors and physical therapists. Both chiropractors and physical therapists are knowledgeable musculoskeletal practitioners, require a university degree, and hold certification to practice their various specialties. They treat musculoskeletal problems to increase mobility, decrease pain and help return you to full function.
Now, even though they may seem similar at a glance, both the professions have a different approach to health, so it is important to understand what sets each one apart from the others before deciding which of these professionals is best for you. Neither of the treatments is more or less effective or ‘better’ than the other and the nature and cause of the problem decide which of these to consult and visit.
What does a Chiropractor do?
When you think about chiropractors, you will most definitely be thinking about back issues and bone-cracking but there’s more to chiropractic care than simply cracking bones. Chiropractors are alternative health care professionals who focus on issues concerning neuromuscular disorders to help restore and realign the body to alleviate pain caused by pulled or pinched nerves and misaligned vertebrae. They do so by using a practice called chiropractic manipulations.
Commonly, chiropractors treat issues like lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, tension headaches along with dizziness or vertigo. They are the experts when it comes to the health of your spine and nervous system and undergo extensive training to assess and treat spinal problems. Overall, chiropractors have a holistic approach to treatment and may recommend nutrition, or lifestyle changes to you in the form of exercise, changing your diet, or everyday habits.
Chiropractors use their hands to find and adjust the spine, and joints which show signs of restricted movement. This adjustment is also knowns as chiropractic manipulation. They are highly trained professionals and require years of practice to perform these gentle, yet specific manipulations to help restore normal movement to decrease pain and improve functionality in the body.
With minute adjustments, coupled with their holistic approach to food, nutrition, and lifestyle, they can help you improve and heal your pain not in your back but in other connecting areas.
A usual session with a chiropractor typically involves:
- Assessment and diagnosis of the issue – you may be required to get x-rays or tests done.
- Chiropractic adjustment and manipulation
- Devising a treatment and prevention plan
What does a Physical therapist do?
Similar to chiropractors, physical therapists (commonly referred to as physiotherapists) also work with their hands. Their main focus is on treating the injury and disorder by achieving mobilization and normal body function without utilizing medicine or surgery. In other words, they work with the patient to restore movement in muscles after an accident or trauma, ease the pain and in general, improve their quality of life through techniques like exercise, stretching, and other mobilization techniques.
Physical therapists are said to be movement experts. Their practice is focused on restoring normal, pain-free movement for individuals. They work with a wide array of people with various issues and usually treat issues relating to back and neck pain, sciatica, repetitive movement injury, arthritis, swelling in joints, sports injuries as well as cartilage, ligament and tendon damage. They also assist in pre-and post-operative rehabilitation and developmental delay in children among a variety of musculoskeletal issues.
To heal and restore movement after an injury or trauma some physical therapists employ hands-on techniques like massage, stretching and exercises like joint mobilization and manipulation, stretching, taping, heat and ice while others prescribing electrical or physical aids to the client.
Some use a combination of both. Physical therapists also have a somewhat holistic approach to treatment. They treat the problem using a combination of mobilization, massage and manipulation techniques coupled with teaching the client self-management techniques to maintain and avoid injury in the future.
A usual session with a physical therapist typically involves:
- Assessment and diagnosis of the client’s issue based on their medical history
- Setting recovery goals
- Devising a treatment and prevention plan
- Prescribing exercise, physical aides if required
Differences between a Chiropractor and a Physical therapist
Both chiropractors and physical therapists treat musculoskeletal problems to improve movement in muscles and joints, with the end goal of decreasing pain and improving quality of life. However, the major difference both the professionals is that chiropractors work with nerves, vertebra, and spinal cord, whereas, physical therapists work with soft tissue and muscles. There are few other differences among them that set each profession apart from the other.
A Different Approach
Both chiropractors and physical therapists treat similar problems, but their approach is different. Chiropractic care tends to take a more hands-on approach, whereas physical therapy may make use of physical devices as treatment options along with hands.
A Different Technique
Chiropractors use vertebra and joint manipulation whereas physical therapists use mobilization techniques – exercises, massages, other physical aids, and therapies.
Similarities between a Chiropractor and a Physical therapist
While both practices may differ due to their different approaches to treatment, there are a lot of similarities as well. The biggest similarity is that both chiropractors and physical therapists have a holistic approach to physical ailments and they both look beyond just the physical symptoms of the illness and focus on an individual’s lifestyle and social and psychological factors.
This means that rather than simply focusing on the physical symptoms, both focus on finding and addressing the underlying cause of the issue – be it psychological or physical.
So, if a patient comes with back pain, a physical therapist and a chiropractor both will attempt to identify why the problem occurred in the first place. They understand that medication with lessen the pain but addressing the cause of the issue with allowing the client to avoid pain in the future as well. In this case, there is a chance that the pain is a result of poor posture or perhaps it is due to psychological issues like stress or anxiety.
Which is better?
The answer is neither one is better than the other. It simply depends on the nature of your problem. Some find relief in chiropractic care, while others find working with a physical therapist to be helpful.
Take, for example, your back is stiff and you feel restricted in your movement – medication and exercises have been of no help, then what do you do? You see a chiropractor because there is a high chance that your spinal cord is out of alignment and a simple adjustment will fix the issue.
On the other hand, if your back hurts due to a previous injury, a physical therapist will be able to help you by prescribing your movement exercises. Most chiropractors now use a holistic approach, while others simply treat your back pain to treat the short-term issue. So which chiropractor you choose to work with is important.
FAQ about Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
Are Chiropractors and physical therapists Doctors? Both chiropractors and physical therapists subject matter experts in their respective fields, but don’t classify as a medical doctor.
Physical therapists in the US usually complete a three-year degree program of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) after their bachelor’s degree. Chiropractors, on the other hand, obtain a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree followed by a year of extensive training.
It’s important to mention here that both physical therapists and chiropractors do not have a medical licensing to practice as a Medical Doctor (MD), which means that they can’t prescribe medication nor perform surgery.
How many sessions are required? Both chiropractic care and physical therapy are similar in the sense that they require multiple and recurring sessions to completely heal. With that said, how long a treatment will last depends on the complexity of the problem as well as the speed with which the patient is able to recover naturally.
As far as the time, it depends on the nature of the condition; a typical session can last between 30 minutes and an hour. Initial appointments usually last longer, but with time as the body starts healing, the duration and frequency of the sessions decreases.
Are there any side effects of physical therapy and chiropractic care? Just like any other form of treatment, physical therapy and chiropractic care both have side effects. These side effects are usually physical due to the physical nature of the treatment and can range from slight pain and soreness in muscle, slight bruising, swelling and inflammation. These symptoms usually subside within a few to 48 hours. Physical therapists perform various physical exercises, thus exacerbating the pain. Similarly, patients can feel a little sore in the muscles after a chiropractic treatment.
It is important to mention that like any medical treatment, physical therapy and chiropractic care do not guarantee complete or quick recovery. In fact, as mentioned before, it requires multiple sessions to start seeing results. This factor, combined with a possible increase in pain and swelling, can be discouraging to some patients leading them to give up after a session.
Concluding Thoughts
Both physical therapy and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand and you can’t write one-off in favor of the other without giving it a try. While the underlying philosophy of each profession may differ, many people find that physical therapy and chiropractic care complement each other well. Some have a clear favorite and swear by it, while others haven’t decided yet.
Physical therapy helps you strengthen your muscles by mobilization technique, but it won’t necessarily fix the bulging disc – for that you need chiropractic care. Mobilization and manipulation techniques couples with an understanding of the cause of your problem allow chiropractors and physical therapists to treat and heal you. If you are experiencing pain, the first step towards recovery is to get yourself professionally examined.
At well health and chiropractic center, we use a holistic approach to treating disorders and pains. Our goal is to treat the underlying cause of the problem, while still performing effective therapies that alleviate your pain and improve the quality of your life, today and in the future.