Osteopath, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist?

A question that is often asked.

I get asked this question a lot and it is quite difficult to answer.

I believe the differences between an Osteopath, Chiropractor and a Physiotherapist are that the Chiropractor is largely focused on just the spine and joints. Osteopaths are concerned with the whole body, and the interrelationship between different systems. If you have a problem with your hip, they would work on this area as well as the knee, back or opposite side if they think it is a contributing factor. Osteopaths will also treat patients with digestive problems and circulatory conditions that may not seem directly related to bones and muscles.  A Physiotherapist`s treatment tends to be more area specific. Your problematic hip will be treated and specific exercises and advice would be given for that area.

Chiropractors use techniques called adjustments. Osteopaths use mobilisations, manipulations and soft tissue work, whichever technique is deemed suitable for the individual. Physiotherapists may use soft tissue, quite often prescribe exercises and sometimes use equipment such as a Tens machine to treat the area of complaint.

All professions are highly trained at undergraduate level and are excellent clinicians.

I think the best way to finding a good practitioner is to go with someone who has been recommended, has experience and has actually got them better!  A good osteopath , I think, embraces holistic thinking, but can offer targeted, specific solutions. If you have been seeing a practitioner for a while and you haven’t improved or had any guidance with your condition, then you need to start asking whether that practitioner is right for you. You should feel comfortable and confident in what they are doing. Check that they are also registered with their governing body and are fully insured.

From a treatment perspective, the practitioner should treat every patient as an individual, i.e. by looking at the past history, various lifestyle factors, other musculoskeletal conditions and long standing conditions that might be contributing to the problem area. This approach represents a less linear way of thinking, hopefully. For example, X doesn`t always just cause Y. These, all, practitioners, whoever they are, however labelled, should treat the whole of you and set up a treatment and rehabilitation program to help you.

In essence, all three professions can examine, diagnose, form a management program and treat problems with your joints, bones, soft tissue, muscles and nerves by looking at the presenting complaint and viewing the function of your body. If you have any major health concerns, you should consult your GP first before choosing to go ahead with a manual practitioner.

Bearing in mind all of the above, it doesn’t really matter what your professional is called, it is about finding a good practice and a practitioner that you trust will help you with your condition.