Physical Therapy Vs Chiropractor

Physical Therapy Vs Chiropractor, if you have any injury or ill and are not moving well, you may need to visit a healthcare professional to help you decrease pain and improve mobility. One such professional may be a physical therapist, and another may be a chiropractor.

There are some similarities between physical therapists and chiropractors. After all, they both help people move better and feel better after an injury.

But there are several differences between physical therapists and chiropractors as well. Understanding these differences can help you decide whether to see a physical therapist or chiropractor for your particular injury.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention, and health promotion. Physical therapists are known as physiotherapists in many countries.

In addition to clinical practice, other aspects of physical therapist practice include research, education, consultation, and health administration. Physical therapy is provided as a primary care treatment or alongside, or in conjunction with, other medical services. In some jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, physical therapists have the authority to prescribe medication.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that cares for a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system, like the bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A chiropractor helps manage back and neck pain through the use of spinal adjustments to maintain good alignment.

Chiropractic focuses on the body’s ability to self-heal and includes other treatments like nutrition and exercise.

By improving the neuromusculoskeletal system’s ability to perform, chiropractors believe the benefits of spinal adjustment and realigning joints improves the functioning of other systems throughout the body.

Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic

Physical therapists and chiropractors have similar goals in mind for patients, but they may go about achieving these goals in different ways.

Some of the similarities they share include the following:

• Both focus on managing pain and discomfort using noninvasive and nonsurgical techniques.
• They may use manual or hands-on therapy to treat a specific condition.
• Both may treat, or co-treat, the same conditions.
• They may focus on wellness plans for their patients beyond what they can do during a session.
• Both evaluate your symptoms by taking your health history, examining you, and even ordering certain tests.
• The physical therapists and chiropractors have license health professionals with years of education and training (Some physical therapists are grandfather in the profession and may practice with a bachelor’s or master’s degree).

Differences Between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic

While it may seem that physical therapy and chiropractic care are the same, there are several differences between the two. Differences may include:

• Chiropractors often perform manipulations for perceived or known spinal subluxations.
• They often attempt to correct spinal malalignment, believing that this is placing pressure on nerves.
• Chiropractors often limit their treatment to the low back and neck, while physical therapists tend to be general practitioners who treat the spine and extremities.
• They routinely order X-rays to examine bony anatomy that helps guide treatment, while physical therapists use their clinical examination to make treatment decisions, and many do not rely on diagnostic imaging to guide treatment.
• Chiropractors often offer nutrition advice, and many sell dietary supplements in their clinics.
• Physical therapists often work to help you prevent injury.
• Physical therapists often prescribe home exercise programs for their patients to perform daily in order to achieve their rehab goals.
• They work in a variety of settings like hospitals, schools, clinics, and nursing homes, while chiropractors typically only work in an outpatient clinic setting.

Differences Between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic in terms of Education and Training

Chiropractors generally begin their education by enrolling in a pre-med undergraduate program, in which they take classes on biology, anatomy, and physics. They then complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at a chiropractic school, which takes approximately four years. After formal schooling, the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) administers board exams required prior to state licensure.

Physical therapists begin with a similar pre-med undergraduate education followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. After receiving a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree, which typically takes three years, a therapist may participate in residency or fellowship. Doctors of Physical Therapy can pursue board certifications in various specialties. These specialities include:

• Cardiovascular & Pulmonary: Addresses conditions such as chronic (left side) heart failure, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy.
• Clinical Electrophysiology: Includes carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and myositis.
• Oncology: Serves patients currently suffering from or recovering from the effects of various cancers and cancer treatments.
• Women’s Health: Qualified to treat pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum conditions, and post-mastectomy lymphedema.
• Geriatrics: Focuses on conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, and stroke.
• Neurology: Includes traumatic brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Hydrocephalus. 
• Orthopaedics: Addresses cervical pain, tendon repairs, and shoulder impingement.
• Pediatrics: Serves juvenile patients in acute care, outpatient hospital capacities, and in schools. Pediatric physical therapy can also include equine-assisted therapy and aquatic therapy.
• Sports: Specifies patient care and treatment plans for athletes.

Both chiropractors and physical therapists must complete continuing education hours throughout their career. The continuing education courses help chiropractors stay informed about updated treatment techniques. Requirements for the number of continuing education hours a practitioner must complete each year vary by state.

What does a Chiropractor do?

Chiropractors conduct an examination of a patient, looking at the spine’s position and muscle reflexes. They also perform tests and may take x -rays to diagnose the patient’s condition, then come up with a treatment plan and monitor progress. 

Chiropractors do not prescribe pain medication. Instead, they rely on and assist the body’s ability to heal itself. A chiropractor’s primary therapy is spinal manipulation where they use hands or instruments to apply force to a joint in the spine, moving the joint in a specific direction for better alignment.

In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors may include other treatments such as:

• Relaxation
• Stimulation
• Hot and cold treatment
• Exercise
• Diet and weight loss counseling

Sometimes to relieve pain, chiropractors will go further by using massage therapy, ultrasound, braces, and shoe inserts.

What does a Physiotherapist do?

A physiotherapist works with patients to develop customized programs designed to restore as much as possible their functional ability and movement. They are trained to help patients at all stages of life, which means from infant to old age, whose function and movement are impacted by:

• Disease
• Health conditions
• Injury
• Environmental factors
• Aging
• Disorders 
• Weight issues

Physiotherapists achieve this by using a variety of methods including:

• Have the patient do certain exercises
• Massage muscles
• Use muscle stimulation devices
• Manipulate joints
• Teach certain lifestyle activities like walking, posture, etc.
• Stretching muscles

What do I require, a Physical Therapist or a Chiropractor?

In general, physical therapy is used as a first-line treatment for all kinds of musculoskeletal pain. This includes back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain. Chiropractic care is more commonly considered for back pain and neck pain. Your primary care doctor may be able to help you determine treatment options that would work for you. In some cases of back and neck pain, visits to both a chiropractor and physical therapist may be helpful.

In order to determine the best type of treatment, ask your general practitioner questions like:

• How has physical therapy or chiropractic care served other patients with my condition?
• Do you generally recommend physical therapy or chiropractic care more often than the other?
• How long should I try physical therapy or chiropractic care before considering the other?
• Should I try physical therapy and chiropractic care simultaneously? 
• Who are your recommended physical therapists and chiropractors? Why do you recommend them specifically?

The answers to these questions can help you determine which type of care is best suited for your condition. Additionally, the websites for many physical therapy and chiropractic offices feature patient testimonials, which may be useful to look through. Stories of patients with conditions similar to yours who found pain management plans that worked for them may help you determine which type of practitioner could be the best fit for your needs.

In the cases of both physical therapy and chiropractic care, regular visits are essential for achieving successful outcomes. At the beginning of your treatment clan, your physical therapist or chiropractor may want to see you multiple times a week. Research your options for care with location, cost, and hours of availability in mind. You can find qualified chiropractors through the American Chiropractic Association website, and qualified physical therapists through the American Physical Therapy Association website. In some cases, insurance companies will cover the cost of physical therapy or chiropractic care. Contact your insurance provider to ask for a list of physical therapists and chiropractors who are covered in your area.

Not only will accessible care be necessary for you to follow your treatment plan, it will also help you be as relaxed and calm as possible while working with your practitioner. Anxiety can affect flexibility, strength, and healing, so try to choose a practitioner who makes you comfortable, appointment times that work with your schedule, and a location that’s close to your home or workplace.

What do I expect from a Physiotherapist?

When you visit a physical therapist, you can expect to start your care with an initial evaluation. Your therapist will ask questions about your injury and how it is affecting the way you move.

If you have had surgery, they will ask about the procedure performed and your pre- and post-operative course. Your therapist will also ask about your past medical history and your prior level of function.

Once they have a detailed history, your physical therapist will likely perform an examination, looking for issues that may be causing your pain or functional limitation.

Your physical therapist may test:

• Strength
• Range of motion
• Functional mobility and gait
• Flexibility
• Balance
• Skin and scar tissue integrity

Once your physical therapist has gathered information about your function and your impairments, a rehab plan of care will be established, and goals for therapy will be discussed with you.

During your course of physical therapy, you can expect to visit the clinic one to three times a week. Most appointments last for 30 to 60 minutes.

Your therapist may perform manual techniques like joint mobilizations, scar tissue massage, or passive stretches. Various methods may be used to decrease pain or inflammation.

You may also work on functional mobility and balance or gait training if you are having difficulty walking. Exercises will be performed in the clinic, and a home exercise program will be prescribed and updated regularly as you improve in therapy.

If you are hospitalized, a physical therapist may come to your room to help improve your functional mobility related to walking and stair climbing.

What do I expect from a Chiropractor?

Most, but not all, people visit a chiropractor because of back or neck issues. If you have back pain, neck pain, or sciatica, you may consult with a chiropractor.

During your meeting, the chiropractor will ask questions about your pain, what brought it on, and how your symptoms are behaving. A thorough past medical history will be obtained.

Your chiropractor will conduct an examination of your condition. Areas assessed may include:

• Spinal range of motion
• Neurological screen, like neural tension tests and deep tendon reflexes
• Strength
• Examination for possible spinal subluxations

Once your chiropractor assesses your condition, they will provide treatment. A variety of treatments are often used. These may include:

• Heat or ice
• Electrical stimulation
• Spinal or peripheral joint manipulations to correct perceived subluxations
• Exercises for flexibility, posture, or strength

Joint manipulations are the most common treatment to receive when visiting a chiropractor. A manipulation is used to correct a joint subluxation. It occurs when a chiropractor “cracks your back,” and it has been shown to decrease pain and improve spinal or peripheral joint motion.

Conclusion

If you have an injury that limits your mobility, then working with a physical therapist is a good idea. If that injury involves back pain or neck pain, then choosing a chiropractor may be the choice that helps you recover quickly.

Since many factors should be considered when deciding on a physical therapist or chiropractor, a conversation with your physician may be in order to help you make the right choice. If you intend to use insurance for your care, consult your insurance company to find out if the doctor you want to see is in your network.