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Other DisciplinesChiropractors and osteopaths are very similar and their training was, in fact, originally inspired by the same person. Many people ask about the difference between osteopaths and chiropractors. In summary, chiropractic is a philosophical system of mechanical therapeutics that associates diseases with poor alignment of the vertebrae. Chiropractors treat disease by manipulating vertebrae in order to relieve pressure on the nerves, "so that nerve force may flow freely from the brain to the rest of the body". They pay less attention to the muscles and other systems described above. Osteopathy appears to be a much more popular form of therapy in this country today. Chiropractors generally offer considerably shorter appointments and have patients return more often. |
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Problems in the structure of the body, for example, too much tension in certain muscles or the misalignment of a bone, can inhibit the natural function of multiple bodily systems. Though the root of the word 'osteopath' means 'bone,' osteopaths do not actually treat bones. Rather, they use the bones as levers to improve the condition of other structures in the body like muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and organs. By treating these structures, osteopaths can aid the body's natural healing ability. Chiropractors, on the other hand, tend to focus on the spine and the alignment of vertebrae as the primary means to relieving pain and tension throughout the body. Although many chiropractors claim to offer a cure for asthma, indigestion, cerebral palsy or a host of other conditions, these claims are unfounded and must no longer be made, following a recent high-profile legal ruling. Physiotherapists work to assist recovery of functional limitation and disability following injury and disease. Their intervention is often aimed at preventing long-term impairment. Physiotherapists help in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by the ageing process or subsequent to injury or disease. Physiotherapists view full functional movement as at the heart of what it means to be healthy. They are not expected to fully understand the pathology of disease, but they are expected to know how to treat it. By contrast, an osteopath undertakes a 4 to 5 year course in order to become a primary healthcare practitioner. This means they are not only are they expected to understand the pathology of disease they are also expected to recognise undiagnosed pathology and refer parients on to other specialists if necessary. Physiotherapists are trained to evaluate, osteopaths to diagnose. Osteopaths treat the whole person and not just the areas causing symptoms. This is because osteopaths believe the cause often originates in another area/part of the body. Therefore, several people may come in with the 'same' symptoms, but the reasons for their symptoms may be very different, it would follow that no two osteopathic treatments are the same. the same person may also be treated very differently on different occasions. A physiotherapist is trained to look at the area involved and fix it, an osteopath may sometimes go nowhere near it! |
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