Your Health - Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists

Richard Skudder Steyning Osteopathic Clinic - Answers some of our questions

Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists
I am frequently being asked by patients what the difference is between Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists. This only increases around Christmas as often ongoing aches and pains are aggravated by the cold and seasonal stress. It is a good question and to try and help answer this I have summarised the training undergone, principles and general patient base of these different practices.

Osteopathy:
A four year degree course specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of Muscular Skeletal problems (joints and muscles). Osteopaths only treat ‘out patients’ not in hospitals. Osteopaths look holistically to diagnosis and treat the cause of the problem often distant to the area of pain. The aim is to get the patient pain free and rehabilitated as soon as possible. It is a very ‘hands on profession’ using a lot of massage, stretching and manipulation to alter the patients biomechanics giving exercises to reinforce the treatments. We are currently the only profession recommended for manipulation by the NHS in Sussex as stated in the NICE guidelines.

Chiropractic:
A four year degree course specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of Muscular Skeletal problems, there is also a larger business and marketing aspect. Chiropractors also only work with out patients. Traditionally Chiropractic diagnose muscular skeletal problems arising from the alignment of the spine and often use x-ray as part of their diagnosis assessment. They treat mainly using manipulation therefore see patients for short visits and more frequently than Osteopaths or Physiotherapists. Chiropractors promote ‘cradle to grave care’ aiming to keep correct ‘alignment’, so often see patients for maintenance rather than rehabilitation. As time is changing the use of routine x-ray is being reduced and most Chiropractors are using more soft tissue approaches.

Physiotherapy:
A three year degree course with a broader base. Students work in rotations doing a greater variety of roles than Osteopaths or Chiropractors including working in hospitals with patients with systemic problems as well as muscular skeletal problems as outpatients. For muscular skeletal problems the approach is more ‘hands off’ than Osteopaths or Chiropractors involving giving exercises to strengthen areas of weakness and the use machines such as ultrasound to treat ligament problems. Massage and soft tissue approaches are used in addition to help the progress. Traditionally manipulation is not used however this is becoming more widely used.

With time the traditional difference between professions is decreasing, as all are evidence led. Also these are generalizations and often it is about finding the right practitioner for you, who ever they are. With all professions after the first session make sure you are told what is going on and you are offered a clear prognosis.

If you know someone who suffers from ongoing aches and pains or you are looking for an unusual practical gift idea, why not contact us for a gift voucher.  (£5 off with mention of this article).

For the month of December we are offering the first twenty readers to contact us a Complimentary Spinal Check.
 
Please contact Steyning Osteopathic Clinic at Body Matters on Tel: 01903 813500.(offer available for bookings made up to 31 December 2010)

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