Whether you’ve strained a muscle, are experiencing chronic pain or have a niggle in your knee, it’s easy to tell when something isn’t quite right.
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The harder part is knowing who you should go and see to fix the problem – a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist? What does each profession specialise in?
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Well, I spoke to a heap of experts to decipher the differences between them. Here’s what I found out…
Chiropractor
I had a chat to Dr Brett Stevens of Bayside Chiropractic who has been a practicing chiropractor for over 30 years and Dr Steven Lockstone who has over 10 years of chiropractic experience to find out about their profession.
What do they do?
Steven explains that chiropractic is “principally concerned with the restoration, maintenance and prevention of musculoskeletal and spine-related problems.” Chiropractors believe that the body self-regulates and self-heals. Brett elaborates, “The nervous system controls all bodily functions, facilitating the body to heal itself. If the nervous system is fully functioning, the body can do this. Chiropractors adjust the spine to correct ineffective nerve transmission and this helps your body to move more freely.”
What’s a session like?
A typical session with a chiropractor will involve three parts: a consultation, an examination of the body and an adjustment. Steven tells me that patients will answer questions relating to their pain like, ‘when and how did it start, where is it located, what is the pain like, what activities make it worse?’ etc. The chiropractic exam involves reflex, orthopaedic and neurological tests to assess things like, “range of motion, muscle tone and muscle strength”. If the chiropractor deems it safe to perform an adjustment, they will then do so. Brett adds that he may also give the patient nutritional recommendations.
Note: Steven tells me that patients remain fully clothed for the whole session.
Who do they help?
Chiropractors treat many symptoms including:
- Back and neck pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Sciatica
- Disc injuries
- Arthritis
- Whiplash
- Discomfort during pregnancy
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic fatigue
- Kids with reflux or even bedwetting issues
- Scoliosis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Digestive issues
Brett explains that, “Chiropractic is about keeping you and your family healthy, so that good nutrition, exercise and positive lifestyle choices help you avoid drugs or surgery and stress, where possible.“
Osteopath
What do they do?
Dr Chris Reeves from Osteopathy Australia explains that an osteopath takes a holistic approach when treating a patient, by looking at the whole body. He tells me that, “Osteopaths are trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients in an attempt to reduce pain from injury, while also improving overall bodily function.” Osteopaths look at vascular health, nerve health, musculoskeletal health and mental health in order to assist with a complaint.
What’s a session like?
Like all sessions with a healthcare professional, an osteopath begins with a consultation to find out about the patient’s condition, symptoms and medical history. They then perform an examination of the area that is in pain or is not functioning correctly. Because osteopathy takes a holistic approach, the practitioner may look at other parts of the body also. Chris explains, “If you have a sore knee, your osteopath may also look at your ankle, pelvis and back. They might also ask other health-related questions about your work habits, diet or exercise.”
Osteopaths then give a provisional diagnosis and explain what they think is causing the problem. They’ll then treat the issue and give the patient advice on how to manage the condition between appointments. “This may include giving you movement exercises to do at home or work,” adds Chris.
Who do they help?
Osteopaths treat many symptoms including:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Sports injuries
- Chronic pain in bones, joints or muscles
- Headaches and migraines
- Pelvic pain
- Sciatica
- The physical effects of cerebral palsy
- Arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
Chris tells me that some osteopaths have additional specific training to treat patients with common matters such as:
- Women’s health issues (e.g. period pain)
- Occupational health (workplace injuries)
- Exercise based rehabilitation (e.g. enhancing physical capacity or movement)
Physiotherapy
Ryan Ebert, physiotherapist and director at PHW Group and Marcus Dripps, Australian Physiotherapy Association’s national president describe the role of a physiotherapist.
What do they do?
Marcus tells me, “Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function who use methods based on strong evidence to assist them to overcome movement disorders, which may have been present from birth, acquired through [an] accident or injury, or are the result of ageing or life-changing events.” Ryan adds that physios focus on “the biomechanics of the muscles and how that impacts the other body systems and functions.”
What’s a session like?
Similar to a session with an osteo or a chiro, a physio session begins with a subjective assessment to find out where the injury is, how it occurred and how it’s affecting activities, routines, family life, work and hobbies. In addition to this, people may also see a physio to seek assistance with a goal like, “I want to run a marathon.”
The objective test follows. Ryan explains that during this time the physio will perform “movement tests, palpation of the injury site and assessment of the muscles and structures” before treating the site with both a hands-on and hands-off approach (with things like joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilisation, airway clearance, acupuncture, hydrotherapy exercise rehabilitation and pain management plans). The patient is then given a timeline of how to manage the injury as well as a targeted plan for recovery.
Who do they help?
As mentioned above, physios help both those with current injuries as well as those wishing to avoid injury and take a proactive approach to their health. Treatments and conditions include:
- Strength and conditioning
- Injury prevention
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Sports injuries
- Work injuries
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal dysfunction
- Arthritis
- Neurological conditions
Did you know the difference between these professions? Have you ever seen an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist before?
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I went to see this Watsonia physiotherapist and he helped me a lot. I’ve also seen chiros before that helped.
Interesting read, great to differentiate
It might depend on how good the actual individual specialist is I suppose.
That’s great TP! I haven’t ever been to one of those!
Yeah physio helps me so much too – he’s a good one though with a real gift in it.
A good physio is pretty gentle (I have one of those!)
I did see a chiro for a year or two before I switched to a physio but the chiro was good as he gave me a big massage before he did any cracking! He told me that most chrio’s don’t do that but he liked to because it helped the patient relax.
My physio does headaches too – and is amazing at it just like you say!
I have a regular physio but sometimes I see him five weeks in a row to work on something particular and other times I don’t see him for 2 years!