Chiropractic care and physiotherapy are two distinct fields within healthcare that utilize holistic, non-surgical treatments for body ailments. Both of these philosophies help patients feel better and aim to provide long-term relief from musculoskeletal pain such as back pain, neck pain, and hip pain.
While they have common goals, they’re pretty different. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be utilized harmoniously to provide even more impactful pain relief. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of chiropractic physiotherapy treatment and why chiropractors who use both can provide the best possible pain relief.
How Chiropractic Physiotherapy Treatment Benefits Patients
Chiropractic care and physiotherapy both aim to relieve pain and boost overall well-being, but they differ in how they work. Yet, they can work together to improve results. Let’s delve into their distinct methods to see how they can complement each other.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is based on the fact that the spine has a natural curvature and alignment that ensures proper function. When this alignment is compromised, it impacts body mechanics such as weight distribution, stability, and range of motion.
Chiropractic care treatments are designed to address spinal misalignments and postural irregularities to reestablish balance in the body to amplify the body’s natural ability to heal itself and improve overall bodily function. This is done through treatments such as manual spinal manipulation and adjustments.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is more concerned with improving physical function and mobility by strengthening the muscles in the body through exercise and manual therapy. This is accomplished through combinations of exercises, stretches, and muscle manipulation.
| How Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy Treat Common Sources of Pain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chiropractic Care | Physiotherapy | |
| Back Pain | Spinal adjustments to restore alignment and mobility while also relieving muscle tension | Muscle therapy to reduce muscle tension, stretches, and strengthening exercises to keep muscles balanced |
| Herniated Disc | Spinal adjustments, traction, and manual therapy to reduce pressure on the disc and nerves around it | Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the spine to promote greater core stability |
| Sciatica | Spinal and pelvic adjustments to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, reducing inflammation | Stretches and exercises to improve nerve mobility and strengthen muscles to prevent pressure on the nerve |
| Whiplash | Gentle adjustments to restore alignment to the cervical spine and reduce muscle spasms | Range of motion exercises to strengthen neck muscles |
| Text Neck | Adjustments and postural improvements to improve spinal alignment during device use | Exercises to strengthen the muscles in the neck and upper back |
| Osteoarthritis | Gentle hip adjustments to reduce hip joint inflammation and improve range of motion | Exercises and stretches to reduce inflammation and improve the strength of hip muscles |
While chiropractic care and physiotherapy have different approaches to improving physical function and overall health, they are not conflicting philosophies. Instead, they focus on different methods.
Why It’s Important to Utilize Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy Together
While distinct in their approaches to musculoskeletal health, chiropractic care and physiotherapy can be combined to create a more effective and comprehensive strategy for holistic wellness. Integrating these two disciplines shifts the focus from isolated treatments to a multidimensional approach, allowing patients to benefit from a treatment plan that addresses their overall physical health.
Consider the scenario of a herniated disc. The misalignment of the spine not only aggravates the condition by unevenly distributing weight onto the affected disc but could also be a root cause due to weakened supporting muscles. In such cases, a treatment plan that marries spinal manipulation to restore alignment with targeted stretches and exercises to strengthen back muscles can yield the most favorable outcomes. Due to addressing posture as well as muscle imbalances, this integrative approach ensures both immediate pain relief and sustained well-being, effectively addressing the underlying causes of the issue.
It’s essential to recognize that the incorporation of physiotherapy into chiropractic care isn’t uniformly available. While some chiropractors have physiotherapy licenses, many do not, potentially limiting the accessibility of this comprehensive approach to pain relief.
Individuals seeking this combined strategy should inquire about the practitioner’s qualifications and offered services before embarking on a treatment plan.
| Key Takeaway |
|---|
| Combining chiropractic care and physiotherapy creates more effective treatments for pain. However, not all chiropractors are equipped to practice physiotherapy, so to ensure you get the best treatments, it’s best to ensure you find one that is. |
PostureWorks’s Chiropractic Physiotherapy Treatments Offers Patients a Tailored Approach to Health
At PostureWorks, we believe in giving our patients the best possible solutions to their pain. That’s why our chiropractors are also licensed physiotherapists who can deliver a complete approach to treatment.
At the core of our strategy is Chiropractic BioPhysics® which allows us to properly assess your spinal health, identify the root cause of your pain, and develop uniquely tailored treatment plans designed to match your needs. With a combination of postural exercises, muscle therapy, spinal manipulation, and neuromuscular reeducation, you’ll experience a well-rounded approach to your health. This can provide long-term pain relief without the need for surgery.
Contact us today for more information on chiropractic physiotherapy treatment or to schedule your appointment with PostureWorks in Lakewood or San Francisco.
Chiropractic BioPhysics®, or CBP, is a deeply researched and results-oriented corrective care technique. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health and optimal function. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is conservative, painless, and non-invasive as with all chiropractic care.
