Chiropractic Care VS. Physical Therapy

If you’ve ever experienced having your back out of alignment, odds are you’ve already seen a chiropractor. Chiropractic treatment for back pain is very common and can bring immediate results. When it comes to other problems or rehabilitation, you likely think of a physical therapist as the first choice. What you might not know is that these two professions share some techniques and can be used for much more than commonly known.

This article’s goal is to shed light on both chiropractors and physical therapists to help you make the right choice about which one to see when you’re experiencing back pain.  

In broad terms, a physical therapist is a health care professional that focuses on how mobility is affected by problems in the body. They aim to help people maintain or restore movement and function of their body with the goal to increase overall health and quality of life. One common task of a physical therapist is to rehabilitate an individual following a surgery or major injury. Whether the issue is knee pain or decreased mobility from hip issues, a trained physical therapist has the expertise and equipment to return the patient to full health.

Chiropractors, on the other hand, treat musculoskeletal and nervous system issues. They typically deal with the spine but have been trained to assist with other areas of the body and promote general health through their techniques. Alleviation of spinal discomfort, neck issues, and hip pain are typical results of chiropractic care. Chiropractors, as you may well know, manipulate the patient’s spine to restore optimal function of various systems in the body. Spinal subluxations are corrected and the chiropractor re-balances the patient’s neuro-musculoskeletal system to alleviate pain and restore proper function. Joints, muscles and the nervous system all can benefit from expert chiropractic care.

In regards to their treatment, a patient in need of manual therapy and exercise to alleviate issues will seek a physical therapist. Physiotherapy for back pain is one option. Pain and any form of dysfunction with joints or muscles can be healed through physical therapy. The therapist will construct a comprehensive program that often uses both exercises and manual techniques. With long-term health in mind, these techniques can take a couple of weeks to show the benefits, but strength and flexibility will increase. Quick fixes are not always possible with the human body so keep this in mind if electing to receive physical therapy.

Chiropractic doctors are certified to diagnose most medical conditions but typically focus on vertebral subluxations. Musculoskeletal conditions that affect movement/function are the most commonly diagnosed issues by physical therapists.

Not to be overlooked is that both professionals can use heat, ultrasound and massage therapy to treat patients. Patients typically benefit greatly from treatments that use a mixture of both. Immediate relief comes from manipulations and physical techniques while long-term healing is promoted by exercise and mobility focused plans. Discussing the issue with your healthcare professional will help them to develop the ideal plan.

If you require emergency chiropractic services or are looking to heal a lingering issue, contact our team at BackFit Health + Spine to receive treatment from our expert chiropractic team. Expertly trained to diagnose and effectively treat numerous issues and disorders, our professionals are second to none. The combined approach brings both chiropractic benefits and physical therapy benefits to the patient. Immediate relief and improved long-term function/mobility can be yours. Decrease your risk of pain and illness by scheduling an appointment today. https://www.backfithealth.com/