The Difference Between a Chiropractor and a Physical Therapist : A chiropractor uses their hands to administer treatment of joints and the spine. The treatment is based on the knowledge of how joints and the spine affect the nervous system.
Professional chiropractors go through a program specific to that niche. They end up with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree.
A physical therapist focuses on movement and function of different body parts. There are different physical therapists offering different treatments. They use various manipulations and adjustments. They prescribe exercises to patients which are important for the healing process. The treatments in physical therapy improve movement, prevent disability, restore function to parts, and reduce pain. Professional physical therapists have a Doctorate of Physical therapy.
Chiropractors and physical therapists are required to have a bachelor’s degree. They also need to pass a licensing examination. The two professionals most times treat similar conditions. Differences occur in how they have trained and the treatment they offer. Chiropractic may need you to revisit for treatment in the future while physical therapy heals to prevent the problem from reoccurring.
Why visit a chiropractor
A chiropractor offers treatment based on the nervous and skeletal systems. It can also involve treating injured muscles that are interfering with movement.
Chiropractors treat:
- joint pain
- back pain
- migraines
They manipulate the joints and spine to treat pain and injury. The specialist can use hands, electrical muscle stimulation, hot and cold water therapy, ultrasound, and stretching. You need to visit the specialist a number of times weekly for a few months for full treatment.
Why visit a physical therapist?
Physical therapy focuses on a wider range of issues compared to chiropractic. It helps to regain movement, maintain a healed part, and prevent further or future injury. They use varied techniques to administer treatment for different problems. The techniques include:
- hot and cold water therapy
- acupressure
- ultrasound
- massage
- acupuncture
- exercise
The physical therapist may discover and treat other underlying issues which may be affecting your movement or functioning of body parts. They help restore your whole body to function. The healing process and time depend on the type of impairment. The physical therapist focuses on treating soft tissue and spine to improve mobility, and include exercise to boot strength, stability, posture, and flexibility.
Is visiting a chiropractor right for me?
Visit a chiropractor if you have mild injuries and aches. Their techniques are effective for such levels of injury. If you are sure it is only one area where you have a problem, they can help you heal. They offer treatment to the spine by aligning the spinal vertebrae. This treatment is a better option if you do not want to take pain medication.
Is visiting a physical therapist right for me?
Visit a physical therapist if you have a sports injury or weakness of muscles. It will help to regain function in the injured areas. Visit them if you are in a lot of pain as they correct the faulty movement causing it. If you are in the healing process after surgery or chronic complication a physical therapist helps you regain normal functioning of that part.
If you have seen a chiropractor for some months and feel you do not have the relief you hoped for, you can choose to seek a physical therapist. The multiple techniques might be what to require to heal completely.
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