If you are or know someone who has been dealing with musculoskeletal issues – especially back pain – then you probably hear the words ‘physiotherapist’ and chiropractor’ a lot.
And if you find yourself unsure what the difference is between the two practices, or which one you should see for your injury, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to confuse the two, or think they’re one and the same.
We thought we’d shed some light on the ‘physiotherapists vs. chiropractors’ confusion, and hope that the information here gets you closer on your journey to being pain-free.
First, let’s address the similarities between physiotherapy and chiropractic care. After all, the reason for the confusion is that these two practices seem, at least from the outside perspective, to have a lot in common.
Physiotherapists and chiropractors both:
Next, let’s get into the details of each practice to understand how they differ.
Physiotherapists can address a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, and employ a variety of modalities to treat them. They also take into account other conditions that may be causing or contributing to a patient’s pain or difficulty in moving.
The scope of physiotherapy includes, but is not limited to:
It’s also very common for physiotherapists to specialise. Some examples of these disciplines are:
Physiotherapists can employ a number of different therapeutic methods and tools in order to alleviate pain and improve movement. Some of the more common ones include:
Manual therapy: Skillful hands-on manipulation of muscles and joints. This comprises techniques such as traction, massage, joint mobilisation, and soft tissue mobilisation.
Exercise therapy: Prescribing and teaching movements to help the patient regain strength and mobility, manage pain, prevent injuries, and improve their overall quality of life. (Learn more about exercise therapy here.)
Physiotherapists commonly prescribe and teach exercises to help alleviate symptoms and instil better movement patterns.
Electrical stimulation: Aka, e-stim. The use of mild electrical impulses to stimulate the targeted muscles or nerves.
Heat therapy (thermotherapy): The use of our body’s natural reaction to heat or cold to alleviate symptoms. For instance, heat can be used to improve blood flow, while cold can be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
On the other hand, chiropractors primarily focus on employing manual therapy to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine.
In fact, the term chiropractor is derived from the Greek words χείρ (‘cheiro’) meaning ‘hand’ and πρᾶξις (praxis) meaning ‘practice’ or ‘action.’
A big part of chiropractic care revolves around spinal manipulation, to treat what many chiropractors call “vertebral subluxation.” These, according to proponents, are misalignments in the spine that cause interference between the brain and body, therefore impeding the body’s function and ability to heal itself.
Chiropractors focus primarily on hands-on manipulation, especially on the back and neck.
The path to becoming a physiotherapist can start straight out of high school, by enrolling in a bachelors program in physiotherapy.
Alternatively, it is also possible to have an undergraduate degree in a related field (such as biology or sports science) and then enrol in a graduate degree in physiotherapy. One can choose to take a masters or doctorate; the former takes two years and the latter, three.
To become a chiropractor in Australia, one must first obtain an undergraduate degree and then a masters degree in chiropractic science.
By law, physiotherapists and chiropractors in Australia must be registered with the AHPRA, or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, through their respective boards: the Physiotherapy Board and Chiropractic Board.
Physiotherapy’s modalities draw from a large base of history and clinical research.
It’s also worth noting that while chiropractic care tends to focus more on pain alleviation, physiotherapy provides a more holistic approach to your health and wellness, addressing the cause of the pain or injury as well as the symptoms.
Physiotherapy places a strong emphasis on regaining mobility and strength, and teaching the patient correct practices that will help prevent injury. This combination of patient treatment and education empowers the patient to become independent, rather than to keep coming back to the therapist to manage their symptoms.
Both physiotherapy and chiropractic care aim to improve a patient’s quality of life by alleviating pain and improving motion. They both make use of non-invasive procedures, and can help to reduce the need for medication.
If you are undecided on the “physiotherapists vs chiropractors” discussion, and are trying to decide which one to go to, here are some key points to keep in mind:
Depending on the nature of your symptoms or preexisting conditions, it may be a good idea to consult with your primary care physician on whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care is best for you.
If you’d like to speak with one of our licensed physiotherapists about how we can help you – including what treatments we can provide during home visits – send us a message or call us at 02 8808 4000.