Chiropractor And Physiotherapist Differences

By Peter Benalla

Both Physiotherapists and Chiropractors work with patients to help them improve their ability to function and move and because of this there are a lot of people who get the two fields confused. While they look similar on the outside, the truth is that physiotherapy and chiropractics are very different. Chiropractics and physiotherapy require very different sets of skills, though there are some skills that both fields need in order to practice. Here are a few of the differences between Physiotherapists and Chiropractors.

Educational Requirements

Physiotherapists have to finish at least four years of schooling as well as two years of masters training. The schooling and training involve quite a few different types of therapy and the student must become proficient in all of them in order to get licensed. The physiology license requires regular renewals in order for the physiologist to practice professionally. The renewal is important because it means that the Physiologist has to keep current on therapy techniques and research advancements.

Chiropractors are required to complete at least four years of school though schooling usually involves five to seven years of class and field work in the United Kingdom before a professional license can be obtained. Chiropractors, like Physiologists are also required to keep their licenses current in order legally practice chiropractics without supervision.

Relieving the Patient's Pain

Chiropractors work to relieve their patients' pain by using a number of pain relief therapies. These techniques can either be taught to the patient to do at home or therapies that will require the patient to continue visiting the Chiropractor in order to maintain his alignment and stay pain free.

A Physiotherapist offers his patients through a variety of methods. These methods aim to increase the patient's range of motion. Treatment offered by a Physiotherapist can involve teaching the patient how to do a variety of exercises and stretches so that the patient can continue his or her treatment at home. As the patient's pain subsides and his or her range of motion improves, the visits required become fewer and farther between until the patient is pronounced healthy enough to no longer need physiotherapy.

Belief System

A Chiropractor believes that everything can be related to the spine. Problems with the respitory system or endocrine system, in a Chiropractor's mind, are problems that can be corrected with proper alignment of the spine.

Physiologists do not centre their beliefs on a single part of the body though they do spend quite a bit of time focusing on the spine. Physiologists devote their time to treating a specific injury and helping a patient heal while doing their best to reduce the patient's pain.

The truth is that there are quite a few similarities between the two. Both work with the spine. The differences lie in how an illness is addressed. Physiotherapy ends at some point. Chiropractic care is ongoing.

About the Author:

Peter Benalla, editor of the chiropractor-help network, writes articles about chiropractor, chiropractic, chiropractors in sunderland, back pain, orthopaedic conditions, neck pain and injury management. Peter is the principal practitioner at a well established clinic in the south west of the UK