If you’re looking for ways to manage pain, you’re likely trying to weigh up a physiotherapist vs a chiropractor. Physio and chiropractic care focus on managing pain and discomfort but with varying techniques.
The main difference between chiropractic care and physiotherapy is that chiros tend to focus on spinal issues, while physios rehabilitate you from injuries and surgeries. But there’s a lot more to it than that!
At Align HC, we’re here to break down the differences between physios and chiros in detail, so you make the right choice for your health. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- Chiropractors mainly ease back and neck pain, while physios can rehabilitate injuries in specific areas of your body.
- Physiotherapists mainly use manual therapy and exercise, whereas chiropractors primarily focus on spinal manipulation.
- Chiros have shorter and more frequent sessions than physios.
- Physiotherapy is more expensive than chiropractic care, though physio usually requires fewer sessions.
What is a Chiropractor?
When considering a chiropractor vs physiotherapy, it’s important to understand the definition and scope of a chiro. Chiropractic care covers many health issues related to your musculoskeletal system, mainly the spine.
Chiropractors use their hands to examine, diagnose, and treat issues with bones, joints, and muscles to reduce pain and stiffness. The chiropractic adjustment is based on the idea that spinal alignment affects overall health because it influences the nervous system.
Types of Chiro Care
- Spinal Manipulation: For adjusting the spine to improve alignment and relieve pain
- Paediatric Chiropractic: A focus on treating children with developmental concerns
- Chiropractic Neurology: To diagnose and treat conditions in the nervous system, usually migraines or balance issues
- Gonstead Technique: Usually also uses X-rays for precision in re-aligning the spine
- Activator Method: Using an activator device to gently apply force to your spine, which is preferred if you want a less forceful adjustment
- Flexion-Distraction: A table is used to stretch your spine gently, generally for disc injuries
What is a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapists focus on rehabilitating you from a specific area of injury or a chronic condition to relieve pain or discomfort. Physiotherapy can help you move and function without pain over several sessions.
In general, physiotherapists use exercise, manual therapy, and modalities like shockwave therapy, which are useful for managing pain and other symptoms. Physiotherapy can also restore function after surgery or sports injuries.
Types of Physio Care
- Musculoskeletal: A focus on injuries affecting your muscles, joints, and soft tissues
- Neurological: For conditions impacting your nervous system, like a stroke
- Cardiorespiratory: Targeted treatment for heart and lung conditions, such as asthma or recovery from heart surgery
- Sports: For the treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of sports-related injuries
- Paediatric: To treat children with developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and more
- Geriatric: A focus on elderly patients, usually for mobility, balance, and strength issues, such as issues related to arthritis
- Women’s Health: To treat conditions in women like prenatal and postnatal care or pelvic floor dysfunction
- Orthopaedic: Rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgeries, such as ACL reconstructions
- Vestibular Rehabilitation: For treating balance disorders or dizziness caused by inner ear issues or neurological conditions
Key Differences Between Chiropractors and Physiotherapists
So what are the differences when comparing a chiropractor vs a physiotherapist? Both physical therapy and chiropractic care may decrease pain and other symptoms using a variety of techniques, but they are vastly different practices.
Scope of Practice
When considering a chiro or physio, you should know that chiropractic sessions mainly focus on joint manipulation and spinal manipulation to help decrease pain. This is usually to treat neck and lower back pain, or even a chronic headache.
On the other hand, physiotherapy treatments have a much broader scope, including rehabilitation, exercise prescription, and a hands-on approach to ease pain for a variety of physical conditions.
Treatment Techniques
There are quite a few differences between chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment techniques. Chiros ease pain and inflammation by manipulating your spine and placing an emphasis on manual adjustments. Sometimes, chiropractic techniques involve muscle release and soft tissue therapies, but manipulation is the core focus. A chiro, similar to an osteopath, will use hands-on therapy to treat your conditions.
In contrast, physiotherapists use manual therapy, exercises, and different equipment, such as ultrasound or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Various techniques within physiotherapy focus on post-surgery, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other related physical issues. These holistic techniques improve your quality of life, mobility, and physical function.
Patient Interaction and Treatment Duration
Chiropractors often have short sessions and multiple visits to maintain your joint adjustments and improve your mobilisation. However, physiotherapists engage in longer sessions with you to have a closer look at the differences in your rehabilitation. They will typically promote self-management strategies for various areas of the body, with the goal of fewer visits over time.
Educational Background and Certifications
Chiropractors generally have to complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, which can be a 4- to 5-year program. This includes standard classroom education and clinical experience. Chiropractors must also be registered with the Chiropractic Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
A physio typically has a 3-year bachelor’s degree or a 2-year master’s degree in physiotherapy. They must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia under AHPRA and pass exams to practise physiotherapy in Australia.
Cost
In general, physiotherapy is a bit more expensive than seeing a chiropractor. You can expect a physio session to be between $50 and $200, while a chiro session is approximately $50 to $100.
However, in the long term, a chiro might work out to be more expensive. Physio sessions are longer and less frequent, while chiro sessions are shorter and more frequent, meaning the costs can add up.
Choosing Between a Chiropractor and a Physiotherapist
There are a few factors to consider, from the nature of your condition and your own personal preferences to treatment styles. Here are a few things to keep in mind before deciding on physiotherapy or chiropractic care:
- Nature of Condition: A chiropractor is recommended for conditions related to spinal alignment and musculoskeletal pain. A physio is best for post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, and neurological disorders.
- Personal Preferences: Your comfort with treatment styles and practitioner approaches is important. If you prefer immediate relief and short visits with a hands-on approach, a chiro might be best for you. However, some people prefer the holistic and broad approach of physio.
- Health Goals: If your main goal is dealing with pain or stiffness in the back or neck, you should see a chiro. However, if you have long-term goals to improve your physical function or manage a chronic condition through exercise, physio is your best bet.
- Insurance Coverage: If you’re on a budget, you might prefer going for treatment covered by your insurance. Check your health insurance plan to find out if a physiotherapist or chiropractor visit will be covered.
Align HC: Personal Care and Expertise
To recap, both chiropractors and physiotherapists can relieve pain and help you improve your mobility. However, chiros tend to focus on spinal alignment while physios can assist with injury rehabilitation, post-surgery pain, and a variety of physical conditions.
Always consider your specific needs, personal preferences, budget, and health goals when making this decision. Align HC has physio clinics across Australia in Kew, Oakleigh, Indooroopilly, and South Brisbane.
We are dedicated to managing your symptoms with ease and improving your health with a plan tailored just for you. Reach out to our team to make an appointment!
Chiropractor vs Physio FAQs
Should I see a physio or chiro for posture?
You should see a chiropractor for posture. Both chiropractic care and physiotherapy can help with posture, but chiropractic care focuses on adjusting the spine.
Should you see a chiro and physio at the same time?
In some cases, you will be encouraged to see a physiotherapist and chiropractor at the same time. While there is a difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic care treatments, a combination of both can help with pain relief and injury rehabilitation.
Are chiropractors and physiotherapists able to diagnose and treat medical conditions?
Yes, a chiropractor or physiotherapist can diagnose and treat medical conditions. Chiropractic care primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and spinal conditions, while physiotherapy focuses on a broader range of physical injuries.
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