Chiropractors are essential to form a rehabilitation team.
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Chiropractors focus on relieving pain and improving the overall function of the human body. Chiropractors can use various different modalities from manual hands on work to soft tissue therapy. Not only do they do passive treatments, but they assess your whole body and can help with exercise prescription and injury prevention as well.
WHAT DO CHIROPRACTORS PRIMARILY FOCUS ON?
Chiropractors focus on diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on manual adjustments and manipulation of the spine. Their main goal is to improve spinal function.
- Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use their hands to apply controlled, sudden force to spinal joints. This is done to improve spinal mobility, to help relieve pain and improve function.
- Diagnosis: Chiropractors assess a patient’s condition through physical exams, medical history, and sometimes imaging. They diagnose issues related to the spine and nervous system and create treatment plans accordingly. (Similar to Physiotherapists)
- Pain Management: They help manage pain related to the spine, muscles, and joints. This includes conditions like sciatica, neck pain, and nerve pain, often without relying on medication or any invasive procedures.
- Rehabilitation: Chiropractors provide exercises and lifestyle advice to support recovery and prevent future problems. This can include stretches, strengthening exercises, and ergonomic adjustments. To help with overall activities of daily living. (Similar to Physiotherapists)
- Education: They often educate patients on posture, body mechanics, and overall wellness to help prevent injuries and promote a healthier lifestyle. (Very similar to Physiotherapists)
While Chiropractic care is commonly associated with spinal or postural issues, it can also address a range of other musculoskeletal problems. It’s worth noting that Chiropractors generally work in collaboration with other healthcare providers (such as other Physiotherapists) to ensure you receive the best care possible!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND A CHIROPRACTOR?
The main goal for both practitioners is to assess, diagnose and alleviate pain.
But, here are some key differences
Physiotherapist:
– Primary focus is on the musculoskeletal system as a whole
– Treatment focus mainly through soft tissue therapy and dry needling/IMS
Chiropractor:
– Primary focus is on the spine and the nervous system
– Treatment focus can be on adjustments and manual manipulations
Even though there are some differences, both practitioners have the same goal of helping you become the best version of yourself.
Some similarities include
– Exercise rehabilitation prescription
– Education on overall health and lifestyle interventions
– They can both share very similar passive treatment paths
– Both types of practitioners work best hand in hand and can help your overall function and everyday living.
WHY SHOULD I SEE A CHIROPRACTOR?
A Chiropractor can help with various types of injuries and every Chiropractor has their own specialties and sub set of skills. Not only can they help with spinal and postural issues, but other neural and general injuries that may come up. The best way to answer this question is to physically see if the practitioner is the right fit for you. To receive a more precise answer, booking an assessment would be the best thing!
