We often associate musculoskeletal problems and other motor function disabilities with physiotherapy and orthopedics. But now that alternative medicine is already on the rise, the popularity of chiropractic care is also starting to take the spotlight and become an easy option when feeling some body aches and pains. Let us find out the difference between physiotherapy and chiropractor.
Physiotherapy and chiropractic care: A detailed outline
Physiotherapy or physical therapy is an allied health profession that focuses on improving a patient’s quality of life by helping them relieve pain from a recent injury or accident using pain management, physical exercises, and physical aides.
A physiotherapist takes care of a patient’s injury, illness, and body pain through physical methods, like doing exercises, stretching, mobilization techniques, massages, and other treatments. As effective physiotherapists, their aim is to relieve pain and discomfort without making use of medication or surgery. For the most part, the function of a physiotherapist is to alleviate the pain and restore a patient’s bodily function in order for him to improve his quality of life. However, if the patient is suffering from a chronic or debilitating condition, the physiotherapist works hand in hand with the medical doctors to help lessen the pain that the illness may be causing so that the patient may still feel relief.
Chiropractic care, on the other hand, is an emerging alternative medicine that deals with improving the function and state of the body by applying manipulations in the patient’s musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractors are like physiotherapists in that they are doctorate degree holders who aim to help patients be relieved from pain. Chiropractors instill in their patients the belief that the bodily systems are interconnected, and through correction of posture, gaits and spine alignment, the body will function better.
Difference between physiotherapy and chiropractor
While both professions are concerned about our physical condition and relief from pain and discomfort, the way they alleviate the pain are somewhat different, although they claim to use methods called the same way, like manipulations, exercises, massage, etc.
- Physiotherapists use mobilization techniques; chiropractic care professionals call theirs manipulation techniques.
- Chiropractors use their hands to adjust or realign the spine and the limbs. Physiotherapists use their hands as well, but they also use electrical impulses and massages.
- Physiotherapists target an injured part as a focus of the treatment. Chiropractors trace the beginning of pain or discomfort to a problem with the spine.
- Chiropractors believe that healing is done in a holistic approach that connects our musculoskeletal system to our nervous system. Physical therapists, on the other hand, focuses on one injury in the body and relieves the body from the pain after an injury or accident.
When talking about the difference between physiotherapy and chiropractor, please don’t take it the wrong way. We do not prefer one over the other since they are both helpful in alleviating a patient’s complaint of pain and discomfort. However, if you think that you are in need of either service, let your family doctor assess your needs first so he can give you an intelligent recommendation as to whose services would definitely suit your needs.
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