PUBLISHED ON May 12, 2023
Some acute and chronic conditions can have unfortunate consequences, like neck pain with restricted movement or persistent tingling in your hands or feet. Alternative treatments like chiropractic care and physiotherapy are rising as many seek effective, non-invasive chronic pain relief with little to no medication. So, what’s the difference between chiropractic and physiotherapy?
Knowing the difference between these two therapies will have the most impact on receiving the right treatment for your condition.
Chiropractic Care vs. Physiotherapy
Doctors of chiropractic care are licensed professionals with the education and training to reduce a patient’s pain through a series of hands-on manipulation techniques. Chiropractic care aims to help the body heal itself by realigning the spine and manipulating joints, and affecting the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system. It involves no surgery or medication.
On the other hand, a physiotherapist is someone who provides physical therapy to help a person improve their mobility and functionality without pain. Instead of using physical joint manipulations, the therapist provides targeted exercises and stretches to improve injured muscle groups’ function, flexibility, and mobility. The physiotherapist sometimes uses manual therapy to massage muscles for pain relief.
Though the technique is the primary difference between chiropractic and physiotherapy, the intent is another way the two therapies differ. For instance, chiropractic care deals mostly with relieving back pain, neck pain, joint, and extremity pain and headaches through spinal adjustments, while physical therapists focus on creating pain-free movements by understanding how the entire body functions.
Similarities of Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
Despite their differences, chiropractic care and physical therapy share similarities, like:
- Creating patient wellness plans beyond each session
- Eliminating pain and discomfort using non-invasive techniques
- Treating the same conditions
- Using hands-on treatments
- Requiring years of training and proper licensing to perform
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
You might consider receiving chiropractic care if you want the following health and wellness benefits:
- Improvement of chronic headaches
- Improvement of your joints’ range of motion
- Increased energy levels
- Better sleep
- Overall health and wellness
- Help with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis
- Reduction of tingling or numbing sensations in your arms, legs, hands, or feet
Benefits of Physical Therapy
Physiotherapists practice in many settings, like schools, hospitals, private practices, and athletic facilities. You might need their services if you’re recovering from surgery or injury or need to increase your muscle strength after a medical diagnosis like multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Physiotherapy can reduce your pain and help you recover after an accident. The treatment can also improve your balance and movement.
Receive Individualized Treatments at Active Life Wellness Center
Active Life Wellness Center in Brampton is a client-focused treatment facility offering holistic care to improve your well-being, mobility, and functionality. Our practitioners specialize in physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care in Brampton, ON.
Our well-trained and compassionate specialists provide personalized services with five-star customer care to help every patient achieve a healthy lifestyle through physical healing. Now that you know the difference between chiropractic and physiotherapy, call Active Life Wellness Center at (905) 458-6677 to start your individualized treatment today.
