When you're faced with pain, especially if it's the first time, it's hard to know who to turn to. Can your GP help, or do you need someone more specialised, someone who treats your specific issue? Both physiotherapy and chiropractic professions specialise in the musculoskeletal system, to help improve overall health and wellbeing. Although both manual therapies have similar objectives, one is better than the other in certain circumstances. Read on to find out all there is to know about these two treatment options.
What is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors are known as the "spinal health experts" who work to help improve your body's nervous system. Chiropractic assumes that a healthy and properly functioning nervous system equates to improved overall health and wellbeing. Chiropractors address all demographics including babies, infants, athletes and the elderly.
Chiropractic focuses primarily on the spine and the alignment of the vertebrae, the skull and the pelvis. The spinal column, consisting of the vertebrae, contains and protects the spinal cord and the many nerves that branch out from it. These nerves form the nervous system and are responsible for all our bodily functions. A chiropractor aims to improve the flow of information along these nerves, which are sometimes impaired through misalignment of the vertebrae.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is not just about spinal adjustments as it also focuses on nutrition, exercise and your health and wellbeing as a whole.
Lower back pain is one of the principal reasons people consult a chiropractor, although there are a number of other issues, both structural and functional, which they can treat such as the following:
- Digestive issues
- Poor posture
Headaches and migraines- Shoulder pain
- Menstrual pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sciatica
- Neck and back pain
- Whiplash
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Sports injuries
- Leg length discrepancy
- Herniated disc
- Sprains
- Cystic fibrosis
Chiropractors primarily use chiropractic manipulation techniques to help improve the nervous system. Sometimes they "move" areas that are not moving properly. This is referred to as an "adjustment". They may also use an "activator", a pen-like instrument that addresses the misalignments in the spine and pelvis by correcting them with a gentle percussive force. There are a number of different styles of chiropractic. Other techniques they could use are massage or hot or cold packs.
Are Chiropractors Qualified?
To practise in Australia, chiropractors must complete a five-year university qualification, which is subdivided into a three-year bachelor degree and a two-year masters degree. They are also regulated and registered by the government. The Australian Government has set up a regulating body to oversee the industry and ensure high standards of practice are maintained.
Find a chiropractor in your local area.
What is a Physiotherapist?
Physiotherapy, like chiropractic, aims to improve your health and wellbeing. Physiotherapists are often referred to as movement specialists as they aim to help your joints and muscles work to their full potential. As well as employing a variety of manual techniques, such as massage, stretching, ultrasound, laser therapy, mobilisation, joint manipulation and heat or cold therapy, they would also include exercise programs in their patient's treatment plan to speed up their recovery and improve their mobility.
A physical therapist can help a person who has a limited range of motion due to an accident, injury or medical condition. They can also help individuals who have recently undergone a surgery restore their muscle strength and normal movement.
What are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of health conditions that affect people's movement. By ensuring healthy movement in muscles and joints, a physical therapist is able to help their patients achieve a better quality of life. People with arthritis or those suffering from muscle weakness due to multiple sclerosis can regain their mobility after a few treatment sessions with a physical therapist. Other conditions this manual medicine practitioner can treat include:
- Neck and back pain
- Muscle spasms
Chronic pain- Rotator cuff injury
- Sports injuries
- Sciatica
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Knee pain
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Asthma
- Headaches
- TMJ dysfunction
- Parkinson's disease
- Stroke
- Cerebral palsy
- Orthopaedic injuries
- Osteoarthritis
A physical therapist will evaluate the patient's level of pain, flexibility and range of motion to determine which manual manipulations and exercise prescription are suitable for them. They may also recommend aids such as crutches and wheelchairs to help improve movement and mobility. While physical therapy can help people of all ages, it's important to note that a qualified practitioner focuses on a specific demographic. If your child has a genetic disorder which you want to seek treatment for, you need to consult a physiotherapist who specialises in paediatric conditions. On the other hand, if you're an office worker experiencing muscle tension, a PT for adults will be able to help you.
Are Physiotherapists Qualified?
In Australia, physiotherapists will have completed either a four-year degree in Physiotherapy of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) or a graduate entry masters program (a two-year accelerated program). These qualifications enable practitioners to apply for registration with the Physiotherapists Registration Board. In 2010, a single national registration and accreditation program was set up in Australia, with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia responsible for registering physiotherapists and students.
Find a physiotherapist in your local area.
Physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments have their respective benefits. Understanding their key differences is all it takes to know which practitioner to call when you're seeking for pain relief due to a musculoskeletal condition.
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