Osteopathy, Physiotherapy & Chiropractic. What's The Difference?

Osteopathy, Physiotherapy & Chiropractic.

What's The Difference?

Osteopathy...

As stated on the Osteopathy page, Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body, and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together. To an Osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So Osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery.

Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, relieve muscle tension, enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms. Each Osteopathic session typically provides a diagnosis, treatment, lifestyle and postural advice and specific exercises to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

The common techniques used by an Osteopath are:

Spinal manipulation – using their hands to apply force to the joints in and around the spine to reduce malalignment and alleviate pressure.
Spinal mobilisation - slowly moving joints to a more neutral position to reduce malalignment and therefore improve function.
Soft tissue techniques to muscles to reduce muscle tension.

All Osteopaths practicing in the UK have completed rigorous training and must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

Physiotherapy...

Physiotherapy (Physio) takes a holistic approach to manual therapy. Physiotherapists look at the body as a whole, rather than focusing on the individual aspects of an injury or illness.

Useful for when someone has an injury, illness or disability, physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.

The main approaches used by physiotherapists are as follows:

Education and advice – many factors in your daily life can worsen or lengthen a condition. Physiotherapists can give general advice, such as posture, correct lifting technique, carrying technique and desk advice to aid recovery.
Tailored exercise and physical activity advice – exercise programs may be used to improve your general health, mobility, and strength in specific parts of your body. Physiotherapists often utilise this route to recovery.
Manual therapy – biomechanical corrections and soft tissue techniques are often used by physiotherapist to help relieve pain, and to encourage better body function.

All physiotharapists practicing in the UK must be registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.

Chiropractic...

Chiropractic (Chiro) is a treatment where a Chiropractor uses their hands to help relieve problems with the bones, muscles and joints.

Usually within the first appointment, your chiropractor will perform an initial assessment your symptoms to determine if chiropractic is suitable.

Many different techniques are used by Chiropractors to treat problems with the muscles and joints. These include:

Spinal manipulation – using their hands to apply force to the joints in and around the spine to reduce malalignment and alleviate pressure.
Spinal mobilisation - slowly moving joints to a more neutral position to reduce malalignment and therefore improve function.
Soft tissue techniques to muscles to reduce muscle tension.

All Chiropractors practicing in the UK are required to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council.