Physical therapy vs. chiropractor

There are so many ways that you can treat the aches and pains in your body. For instance, if you’re experiencing back pain, one friend may refer you to a chiropractor while another may recommend physical therapy. So which is the best choice for you?

Physical therapists and chiropractors are often lumped together when it comes to treating pain from an injury or medical condition. But it’s important to know about the differences between these two types of care. That’s what we’re here for.

Read on to learn about the basics of both physical therapy and chiropractic. Then we will explain the similarities and differences between the two so you can determine which one fits your needs. By the end, you’ll have an idea of how to choose the right care option for you.

The basics of physical therapy

Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is a type of health care that uses modalities, techniques and exercises to help treat symptoms of injuries, medical conditions and surgery. The goal of physical therapy is to improve the body’s overall strength, mobility and flexibility.

Physical therapy helps manage your pain and restore your body after it has been impacted by an injury or medical condition. During physical therapy, you are also educated on how to prevent future pain or accidents.

Physical therapy consists of multiple components, including:

• Physical evaluation.
• Diagnosis of the issue.
• Design and implementation of your personalized treatment plan.

The basics of chiropractic

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that treats the misalignment of joints that come from disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, organs and nerves. 

Chiropractors often treat joint misalignment in the spine that causes back pain and reduced mobility. Spinal adjustments are one of the most common types of chiropractic services. Along with back pain, chiropractors often assist with knee and neck pain. 

Chiropractors can help you to maintain a state of wellness to prevent the risk of future issues.

Comparing physical therapy and a chiropractor

There are many notable differences between a physical therapist and a chiropractor. It’s important to compare and contrast the two types of care so that you’re able to determine which fits your specific needs. By choosing the right one, you can increase the likelihood of effective treatment for your symptoms.

There are several similarities between a physical therapist and a chiropractor. They both:

• Provide joint mobilization.
• Treat musculoskeletal pain in nearly any body part.
• Practice noninvasive treatments.
• Use their hands to provide treatment.
• Utilize modalities such as electrical stimulation and ice packs.
• Educate you on preventive care to prevent future issues.
• Recommend exercises.

There are notable differences between the two as well, such as: 

• Chiropractors almost solely use joint and vertebrae manipulation while PT uses a variety of hands-on techniques as well as assistive tools and exercises.

• Chiropractic focuses on treating disorder symptoms; PT can also assist with recovering from surgery and injuries.

• Chiropractors often recommend X-rays while PT uses physical examinations to determine the cause of the symptoms.

• Along with the pain management that chiropractors offer, PT also focuses on improving the body’s strength and flexibility.

• PT can treat osteoporosis symptoms, while chiropractic may lead to injury for the specific type of arthritis.

Should you choose a chiropractor or physical therapist?

Both chiropractic and physical therapy can provide benefits if you’re struggling with pain. But it’s important to see which one fits your needs best. 

For instance, if your pain stems from a spinal issue, then it might be helpful to consult with a chiropractor for a realignment. But if you’re trying to restore your body’s strength, flexibility and range of motion after an injury, then physical therapy is the way to go.

It all goes on a case-by-case basis, so you should ask your doctor to see which they believe would be the most effective for your condition. 

Alliance PTP can help you find PT after you’ve compared physical therapy vs. a chiropractor

If you believe that physical therapy fits your current needs better than a chiropractor, then Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here to help. We’re bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to bring you the high-quality PT you need. 

We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you for an in-person appointment and that can address your physical therapy needs. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!