Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Care? We Explain the Difference
Physiotherapy and chiropractic care have quite a few similarities. Both are used to treat and manage pain and discomfort associated with your injuries. However, each is conducted by different licensed professionals with years of education in their respective professions. Read on to see how they differ, and the benefits that physical therapy or chiropractic care can offer you.
Similarities Between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Services
Did you know nearly 70 million adults report experiencing chronic pain in the U.S.? (National Center for Biotechnology Information) Physical therapists and chiropractors help patients relieve lingering pain throughout muscles and joints in several ways. However, many patients are unsure of where to seek treatment, or which specialist to visit. A few similarities between a physical therapist and chiropractor are:
- Managing your pain and discomfort is their priority
- Both use hands-on therapy to care for specific conditions
- Physical therapists and chiropractors may treat the same injuries
- They implement wellness plans for patients to follow after each session
- Both can evaluate your symptoms and order tests to further examine the health concern
- You can trust both licensed health professionals to treat your strain, sprains, and injuries
How Do They Differ?
A physical therapist (PT) primarily focuses on strategies to improve and increase your range of function. During your session, they will evaluate your health to establish a plan. They will implement exercises, stretches, and educate you on how to prolong benefits outside the office.
Why Use Physical Therapy?
- To increase range of motion after:
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Surgeries
- Health conditions
- Want to build strength and avoid the risk of lingering health concerns like:
- Arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
Physical therapy is a great option for children and older adults that have been diagnosed with a certain condition or sports injury.
On the other hand, chiropractors engage in a hands-on approach to reduce pain and cut inflammation in half. This holistic approach is rooted in the idea that your body can heal itself. When you visit a chiropractic center, specialists will primarily target treatment on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Before getting started they will review your health conditions, and review treatment options before using techniques to minimize your discomfort and pain.
Why Use Chiropractic Care?
If you are looking to treat the following conditions, chiropractic treatment is best:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Joint pain
Which Therapy is Best?
At Advanced Spine & Sports we offer both physical therapy and chiropractic care for patients at our LAX chiropractic! Both PT and chiropractic specialists operate based on specific medical conditions. Depending on the type of injury and its severity, you might want to seek care from both to get back on your feet with ease.