A question which I get asked several times a week in the clinic is about the difference between an osteopath and chiropractor? And often the answer is quite ambiguous because there are more similarities than differences between the two professions.
First of all yes! We treat the same kinds of conditions – these are primarily musculoskeletal problems which cause people to experience pain in their backs, necks, shoulders and anywhere in the muscles, joints or other tissues which make up and move the body is considered by osteopaths or chiropractors. There are osteopaths which practice ‘visceral’ osteopathy which looks more at the functioning of the viscera (our organs) and can help with conditions involving digestion and another general. There is also the ‘cranial’ osteopath which looks at calming the nervous system through very gentle and light pressure applied to the cranium and sacrum – effectively helping the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the brain and spinal cord to do its job.
Newcastle osteopaths and chiropractors both train to the same level despite the title doctor of chiropractic used by many chiropractors, most osteopaths and chiropractors train to Bachelors or Masters level for the same number of years. Osteopaths and chiropractors can practice solo treatment once they have completed the course. I also have heard the comparison made to medical doctors but their training after five years only allows them to practice under supervision as their training continues for several years more. Osteopaths and chiropractors are required by law to complete annual continuing professional development to maintain the privilege of calling themselves by these titles. And, many do continue to take post-graduate training to improve their skills and knowledge and enable them to offer effective evidence-based treatment.
The level of training we both have enables us to be classified as primary healthcare practitioners. This means that we are the first point of contact for members of the public experiencing some cases of quite significant pain. Our training and assessment skills mean that we can understand when someone is experiencing a painful condition which is caused by their musculoskeletal system or whether it is being caused by something more systemic such as cancer, infection or autoimmune condition just to name a few. Conditions such as these need to be identified early because treatment should not be delayed. This could also lead to more serious consequences for individuals if they are not identified. For example, back pain might be the first symptom of bone metastasis or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Your osteopath or chiropractor should be able to identify and refer you to the appropriate clinician for further investigations. However, most of the time even significant back pain can be caused by problems with the joints, muscles or discs in the spine and well within the remit for treatment.
So, what is the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor? There are a couple of areas which differ between the two professions. The main one being the model behind which each looks at the body when they are assessing and deciding on the best course of treatment. Osteopaths the main tenet is the structure governs function – which means that if your musculoskeletal system is not structurally optimal for you, then the pain will ensue. We also believe that for the full functioning of the body’s systems the blood supply and nerve function should also be optimal. Where blood supply is limited in a tight muscle for example, then there becomes a build-up of lactic acid which can cause pain and increases the risk of muscle strain, and then have a poor healing response – this leads to fibrotic tissue which is not healthy and can lead to more problems. Our nervous system is what allows us to have power to our muscles, and sensation as well as a host of other functions which allow us to keep balance and know where our limbs are in space without looking at them. And, it is the nervous system which chiropractors main focus is. They direct ‘adjustments’ to an individual vertebra which are unaligned and causing the nerve to function sub-optimally. With this in mind, perhaps you can see why an osteopathic and chiropractic treatment might differ. You may find that with a chiropractic treatment you are in and out in a short space of time with a few ‘adjustments’ to your spine to improve its functioning and decrease nerve interference. You may also be required to return two or three times a week for further adjustments. However, with an osteopathic treatment, the result may be much longer-lasting due to the inclusion of the muscular system in their treatment and holistic view of the interplay between nervous and vascular systems too. Your treatment is typically longer, and only very occasionally would you be required to attend more than once per week.
Both osteopaths and chiropractors offer a highly skilled and effective model of treatment which helps many people who choose to seek their treatment. Neither one is better than the other, however, you may find that you are more suited to treatment by one rather than the other. So if you find that one type of treatment doesn’t help, then the approach of another may be more suited to your particular needs. The range of techniques and skills are huge, and each practitioner may specialise in a particular area of speciality. My advice for finding a practitioner for you would be to ask your friends or colleagues for a recommendation, if this is not forthcoming then a search online will pull up local practitioners – check out their websites for the testimonials, does what people are saying resonate with you and have they helped people with a similar condition to yourself.
So what are the main differences between an osteopath and a chiropractor? I would say it is all in the name. Looking for osteopath in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead? Get in touch today.