What are the differences between osteopathy and Chiropractic?
This is a question that I get asked all the time by patients. However there is not a straightforward answer.
What is a chiropractor?
Chiropractors believe the structure and functionality of the spine plays a key role in the musculoskeletal and neurological system. They may treat back, neck, shoulder and elbow pain by manipulating the spine and adjusting its alignments, focussing mainly on the joints. Only Chiropractors registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) can practice in the UK.
What is an osteopath?
Osteopaths focus on the relationship between the musculoskeletal system and overall health. They move, stretch and massage muscles and joints to relieve pain or other symptoms. Osteopathy may be used to treat lower back pain, shoulder and other peripheral joint pain, arthritis or sports injuries. Only people registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) are allowed to practice as or call themselves osteopaths.
So How Do Chiropractors Treat?
Chiropractic is is primarily concerned with the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of a variety of mechanical disorders that might affect the musculoskeletal system. These effects can adversely affect the nervous system’s ability to function correctly, as well. Primarily, chiropractic focuses on the joints and spine, as well as the overall connection to the body’s nervous system.
Chiropractors typically use spinal adjustments to restore your joint functionality and support the overall nervous system.
Many chiropractors stick with manual adjustments, but some chiropractors also offer tips on lifestyle changes, and soft-tissue therapy.
The chiropractic adjustment is a safe, controlled, and specific force that is applied to the joints or muscles to restore proper mobility, function and reduce pain.
How Do Osteopaths Treat?
Osteopathy focuses on myofascial release, manual adjustments, and other physical manipulations of the bones and muscle tissue. The UK’s National Health Service claims that osteopathy can be effective for some lower limb, shoulder, lower back and neck pains and can be a method to recover after knee and hip operations.
Osteopaths tend to focus on musculoskeletal issues, so if you have problems with arthritis, postural imbalances, joint/muscle strains, and conditions such as sciatica and whiplash, headaches or migraines originating from the neck they can be highly beneficial.
Some osteopaths believe that the spine can influence other areas of the body, as well as immune health. Osteopaths explore health from the body’s perspective instead of the condition or disease’s perspective.
Primary Differences Between Chiropractors and Osteopaths?
Osteopathy was invented in 1872 by Dr Andrew Taylor Still, and chiropractic therapy was invented in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer, a student of Dr Still. Therefore, there are plenty of similarities between the two professions.
The primary difference between chiropractors and osteopaths is that, while chiropractors focus primarily on the joints and spine, osteopaths are also concerned with the overall body and how it functions and acts as a whole.
What to expect on the day
Both disciplines practitioners will take a medical history. They ask you questions about what hurts, when it happened, what you were doing, and more. They are also going to examine you, which might require you to move your arms, stand up straight, and more.
Once your practitioner has formed a clinical impression of what is happening to you both professionals will work out a treatment plan for your condition. Many chiropractors and osteopaths will also suggest rehabilitative exercises.
Often chiropractors and osteopaths will talk to you about your activities, lifestyle, or sport of choice. They can offer advice on how to prevent pain and issues while helping you improve your range of motion, flexibility and more.
However discussion above is based on a theoretically. In reality both disciplines are a varied bunch, every practitioner will have a particular focus or philosophy with various skill-sets and technique styles that can vary widely. Some structural osteopaths focus on complaints by physical techniques that stretch the muscles, change movement patterns, and mobilise the joints. Cranial osteopathy is more gentle and uses a sense of touch to feel how subtle changes affect the entire body. Some chiropractors also use these techniques now. Some practitioners may use electrical devices such as shock wave machines to reduce pain and promote healing in the tissues. Similarly some practitioners may use western medical acupuncture techniques, the scope is endless.
At the end of the day forget the label, it is very much about finding a practitioner that suits your needs. Each practitioner will develop their own personal philosophy.
However with any treatment programme, options need to be discussed with you and alternatives that ae available and therefore you as the patient will also play an active in how you wish to be treated.
Blog by Jane Morris. If you'd like to book an appointment today, please contact us.
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