What is the difference between an Osteopath, a Chiropractor and a Physio?

It is the one question that we get asked all the time. Every answer you receive will probably be different depending on who you ask. Each profession will probably claim their way is the best!

So let us start by looking at what is the same

• They all treat musculoskeletal problems of the human body.
• They all treat with the aim of reducing aches, pains and injuries.
• They all work within a bio-psycho-social model. This means they take into consideration your psychological health and how that might affect your physical health. A total body approach. 
• They are all educated to degree level.
• They all are bound by registration and have protected titles. This means no-one can use the title unless they are fully qualified, registered and insured.

So how do you choose who to see?

Today there seems to be more overlap between these professions than ever before with the use of similar techniques, skills and approaches, so actually choosing who to see can sometimes come down to personal recommendation or just finding the practitioner who you get on with and feel fits with you. 

Here is a little help

The Osteopath

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.

To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your bodyÔÇÖs own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

The Chiropractor

Chiropractors tend to work very similarly to osteopaths however they tend to use more manipulation techniques (that is the clicking part!) and less soft tissue techniques. They evolved from the theory that the integrity and structure of the spine is the solution to stimulation of nerves, and therefore the health of the body. 

The Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists specialise in the rehabilitation of acute and chronic joint injury, often prescribing exercises that the patient carries out at home. They also regularly use machines such as Ultrasound or ITF/TENS machines to treat an injured area.

Within the NHS, the diagnosis and treatment of patients tends to emanate from an orthopaedic surgeon, consultant rheumatologist or GP rather than the Physio. As a result their treatment will also tend to be more focused on a specific issue rather than integrative such as in the case of treatment by a Chiropractor or Osteopath. In private practice this may be different. 

So there you go. If you are no clearer who to get an appointment with, then please give us a call and we can discuss your needs.

www.mskosteopath.co.uk

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