You might think that a chiropractor and a physiotherapist are the same
Kim Le
November 15, 2022
You might think that a chiropractor and a physiotherapist are the same service provider,
or,
You might think chiropractors only treats the spine and crack backs, where as physical therapists only massage and make you do exercises.
When looking to manage and treat musculoskeletal pain and injury, it’s important to seek professional treatment to help heal your condition and prevent further damage. Both chiropractic and physiotherapy are two professions recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to treat musculoskeletal conditions, and have overlapping treatment techniques. It can be confusing who to see as even within each of these professions, there is a wide range of treatment styles and schools of thought. This article aims to highlight the main differences & similarities between the two.
Goal
Both goals of the profession is to treat musculoskeletal conditions through manual therapy, exercise and education in order to restore and enhance efficient biomechanical movement. Both are able to treat common musculoskeletal conditions such as :
Chiropractic was founded by D. D. Palmer in 1895 when he performed his first adjustment. The story goes, a partially deaf janitor came in to see Palmer, presenting with partial loss of hearing after moving the wrong way and hearing a 'pop' sound. Palmer then performed what was considered the first adjustment. This supposedly restored the patient's impaired hearing.
Traditional chiropractic philosophy is that many diseases can be addressed by adjusting subluxations in the spine, which allow the nerves to function properly, hence allowing the body to heal itself. In recent times, Chiropractic has moved on from this philosophy due to lack of evidence. However, evidence-based benefits of spinal manipulations do exist. Numerous studies show that:
Physiotherapy originated in the 1800s by Per Henrik Ling aka the “Father of Swedish Gymnastics” who founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics (RCIG) in 1813 for massage, manipulation and exercise. Sixty years later, physiotherapy was given official registration by Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare, where other countries followed suit. Since then, there has been a general consensus that human ‘movement’ is the core expertise of physiotherapy, which explains its traditional focus on rehabilitative exercise.
Because the body of knowledge of physiotherapy is quite large, physiotherapists tend to specialise in specific clinical areas which can include:
In Australia, both professions require rigorous training in a tertiary education institution in order to be registered and practise. Chiropractors undergo a three-year Bachelor of Chiropractic Science and a two-year Masters of Chiropractic. Physiotherapists must undergo either a four-year Bachelor degree or a two-year Masters on top of a related degree. Both professions cover subjects in anatomy & physiology, fundamental sciences, human mechanics, manual therapy, neuroanatomy, biochemistry and rehabilitation, as well as one year of clinical placement.
Chiropractors have had extensive training in spinal adjustments, while physiotherapists may use mobilisations instead. The treatment styles between and within both professions vary widely, even within a private musculoskeletal clinic setting. Some physiotherapists may choose to use electrophysical agents (i.e. TENs machine, ultrasound, heat packs), while others may employ manual therapy, or rehabilitative exercise. Some chiropractors may focus purely on adjustments, while others may use soft tissue release prior.
Despite these differences, both chiropractic and physiotherapy at Hyper Health are focused on finding a solution by providing both long term pain-relief and rehabilitation to minimise and prevent further injury. Our main treatment techniques for both professions include manual therapy, and strategies that minimise further injury - which includes corrective exercise, self-management strategies and advice.
The confusion comes because we often have very little understanding of either one. To clarify, there's no wrong answer when it comes to finding a good physiotherapist or chiropractor. If you're still unsure which one will be best for you or if there's anything else you need to clarify, give us a call or send us a message and we are more than happy to discuss what treatments are suited to you.
Here at Hyper Health, our Chiropractors, Massage therapist and Physiotherapists strive on providing quality service. Our clinic is located in Marrickville, servicing the Inner West suburbs of Sydney.If you have any further questions about how we can help with tight muscle and soreness, head over to our Contact Us page, or book in now to make an appointment.
Podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating disorders of the feet and lower limbs. A podiatrist (also known as a chiropodist) is a healthcare professional who specialises in this field. Podiatry is a relatively new branch of medicine, only emerging as a distinct profession in the early 20th century. However, the field has grown rapidly in recent years, owing to increasing awareness of the importance of foot health. Today, podiatrists play an important role in keeping people mobile and active. They often treat conditions such as bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails and Achilles tendonitis. In addition, they can provide advice on footwear and foot care for people with diabetes or other medical conditions that put them at risk of foot problems.
Dry needling is a type of therapy that involves inserting thin needles into the skin and muscles. The needles are usually made of stainless steel and are very thin, so they cause minimal pain when inserted. However, some people report feeling a brief, sharp pain when the needle enters the skin. There are several theories as to why dry needling causes this pain. One theory is that the needles stimulate nerve endings in the skin and muscles, which triggers a pain response. Another theory is that dry needling causes a release of chemicals called cytokines, which can increase pain sensitivity. It’s important to note that while dry needling may cause some discomfort, it is generally not considered painful. Many people find relief from their chronic pain after undergoing dry needling therapy.
A syndesmosis injury is a serious condition that can occur when the bones in the ankle joint are not properly aligned. This can happen when the foot is planted awkwardly, or the ankle is twisted. If not treated properly, a syndesmosis injury can lead to long-term problems. There are two main types of syndesmosis injuries: anterolateral and posterior. Anterolateral injuries are more common when the foot is planted awkwardly on an uneven surface. Posterior injuries are less common and occur when the ankle is twisted. If you think you have a syndesmosis injury, it is important to see a doctor right away. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury but may include rest, ice, elevation, and immobilization. Surgery may also be necessary in some cases.
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