Chiropractic vs. Physiotherapy
If you suffer from muscle or joint pain, it can be hard to know what type of treatment you need. Many patients often ask about the chiropractic and physiotherapy differences. How do you know the difference between a Physiotherapist and a Chiropractor?
The two professions can quite overlap. Both chiropractors and physiotherapists aim to treat joints and musculoskeletal disorders to alleviate pain, correct movement, improve strength and help you return your body to its full function. Nevertheless, there is a broad range of treatment types in chiropractic and physiotherapy, as with many other fields. Upon seeing one specialist, it is necessary not to place the entire profession in a box. The main difference is that a chiropractor employs joint manipulation, while a physiotherapist generally uses mobilization methods.
What is meant by Chiropractic manipulation?
Chiropractors use their hands to change the spine and limbs joints where there are signs of restrained motion. A chiropractor may manipulate grade 5 (high speed, low amplitude thrust), whereas a physiotherapist is mostly limited to grades 1 to 4 (low speed, lower amplitudes). The brilliance of a grade 5 manipulation is that it often allows instant improvement in the range of motion and pain relief!
A joint improvement can help restore normal motion range and function on a pain receptor to relieve pain (pain gate theory). Every year more research supports the benefits of chiropractic manipulation. A common misconception is that you may need to keep coming back to a chiropractor to stay pain-free continuously. This is definitely not the case, especially with the best chiropractors in Singapore. Chiropractors treat acute and chronic low back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches linked to the neck and tension, sports injuries, and extreme joint conditions. If your back or joints feel clenched, stiff, and sore or may not have responded to other therapies, then it is recommended that you meet with a chiropractor. Physiotherapists more commonly treat muscle tears or post-surgery problems and problems with the joints and muscles, which limit movement and cause pain.
The first goal is to have yourself medically checked, and your doctor will decide which care is best for your condition – and refer you to it as needed. There will also be treatments and advice from chiropractors and physiotherapists to better treat injuries and medical conditions.
