You need gifted hands and skilled experts when your body feels like a wreck. Physiotherapists and chiropractors dedicate their lives to it.
Today, 6 million people in Canada are living with some form of chronic pain. This represents 19% of the country.
Many people experience chronic pain due to ageing, accidents, and illness. Chiropractors and physiotherapists are your best bet for these issues.
So, what are the differences and similarities between these professionals? We're happy to explain them to you.
Here's what you should understand about chiropractor vs physiotherapist treatments.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractic professionals hold doctorate degrees in their field. Their skillset treats peoples' musculoskeletal issues and pain problems. This often includes back and spine issues, chronic pain, and tension. They also treat conditions of the neck and extremities.
We're learning more about the benefits of chiropractic care today. It's a form of therapy that people of all ages and backgrounds can take advantage of.
Patients today are seeking health insurance plans that cover chiropractic treatments.
What Does a Physiotherapist Do?
A physiotherapist treats pain and discomfort and improves patients' range of motion.
They help patients with all sorts of injuries, from short-term to lifelong. Physiotherapists also help patients with general life pain and discomfort. They hold doctorate degrees and skilled training in physiotherapy and related fields.
Visiting a physio is the next step after an injury diagnosis. They will often refer patients to physiotherapists that can help them further.
The insurance industry has created several policies that cover people for physiotherapy visits.
How Is Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy Alike?
It's important to explore how chiropractic care and physiotherapy are similar. Their work is more similar than different, and both can treat peoples' pain and discomfort.
They can both treat:
Joints
Joint pain is commonplace and manifests in several different ways. Arthritis is the most common joint condition and affects 6 million people in Canada. This widespread chronic pain issue is one that 20% of the population live with ages 15 and older.
There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The condition ranges in severity.
Both chiropractors and physiotherapists help patients living with arthritis conditions.
Chiropractors apply spinal adjustments, massage, and other similar techniques. They improve blood flow, relieve tension and ease body pressure. These professionals also lessen nerve damage to heal arthritis.
Physiotherapists use hot and cold treatments, resistance training, stretching, and other techniques.
Their treatments are natural and safe. Their work heals peoples' joints so they can get back to everyday activities without a burden.
Musculoskeletal Problems
People often deal with musculoskeletal problems that can hamper their everyday lives.
These include scoliosis, fibromyalgia, herniated discs, osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. When these problems are present, a person might endure pain to the point of disability.
Chiropractors pinpoint specific joint areas to heal them and prevent swelling. Their treatments and adjustments promote anti-inflammation throughout the entire body. This reduces tension so that patients have a better range of motion as a whole.
Physiotherapists also help with musculoskeletal problems. They guide patients through exercises that build the muscles and joints stronger.
This helps to reduce or treat pain and increase patients' range of motion. Their all-natural treatment allows patients to move past these issues.
Reduce Pain
People turn to professional chiropractors and physiotherapists to treat pain and injury. Chronic pain is a serious issue around the globe.
It's common for people to get aches and pains due to ageing and repetitive use. Work-related pain adds up over time with people working labour-intensive jobs.
Several people endure bouts of pain and tension after suffering an injury of some sort.
In a recent year, there were 9,000 car accidents with serious injuries. Several Canadians also experience work-related, slip and fall, and athletic injuries. These injuries have varying short-term and long-term effects.
Chiropractic treatment is a catch-all that can assist you in getting rid of chronic pain of all types. It helps to reduce the pressure applied to nerves so that your body is more equipped to deal with pain and tension.
Chiropractic massage therapy techniques reduce pressure and improve range of motion. This work can also decrease intense swelling.
Likewise, physiotherapists help with pain by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation. They will create a regimen that stops pain in its tracks. This can include stretching, weight training, and other exercises.
Correct Movement
Many people live with stiffness and tension. These conditions prevent their bodies from natural, fluid movement. These issues compound to the point that everyday life is uncomfortable or a burden.
The longer a person goes with limited motion, the more likely it is to spread. This spread happens when other parts of the body have to overcompensate.
Chiropractors provide spinal adjustments that can help correct your movements. Their adjustments improve posture so that people walk upright.
Their work eases the pressure applied to the joints, helping to correct movement.
Physiotherapists also work to correct movement by getting to the root of the issue. Strength training builds a person's body to treat current and prevent future injuries.
Increase Strength
Total-body recovery is at the core of both chiropractic work and physiotherapy.
Chiropractors often provide weekly adjustments to patients. This helps to strengthen the joints and muscles in the back and neck. Physiotherapists will walk patients through direct exercises that build all-encompassing strength.
You can do this through weight training, resistance bands, and plyometrics. Some physios put patients on swimming pool workouts or use yoga and Pilates. They also use calisthenics and mini-trampoline exercises.
These workouts will treat your injuries and help you learn more about the way your body works. You'll have some home assignments to reinforce the physiotherapist's work.
Strengthening a patients' body after an injury will improve their quality of life. The chiropractors' exercises and treatments will build stronger muscles and joints. Improvements in bone density will prevent future injuries.
Chiropractors and physiotherapists will explain which exercises to avoid during recovery. This will reduce the likelihood of re-injury during recovery.
Help One to Return to Full Function
Physiotherapists' and chiropractors' main priority is getting people back to their regular lives.
They will check baseline fitness levels to create a proper course of treatment. Their regimens improve patients' physical condition and return them to full function.
Full body function involves improving strength and balance. You'll have more control over your body and more physical awareness. The physiotherapist will test your body's responsiveness and severity of pain over time.
Their treatment can help patients return to work, physical activity, and everyday life.
What Is the Main Difference Between a Physiotherapist and a Chiropractor?
Several differences set physiotherapists and chiropractors apart. Understanding their core differences will help you choose the appropriate form of therapy.
Here are a few of the major ways that these professionals differ:
Chiropractic Joint Manipulation
Chiropractors administer spinal adjustments and joint manipulation techniques. This is the main difference between chiropractors and physiotherapists.
A chiropractic treatment starts with a spinal examination. The chiropractor checks each vertebra to spot any abnormalities in movement. They apply pressure to different points and manipulate your spine and joints. This helps to reduce pressure and pain.
Chiropractic adjustments relieve pain, improve the immune system, and increase circulation. The adjustments will also ease the pressure of pressed nerves. Regular chiropractic adjustments will also lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
Physiotherapeutic Mobilization Techniques
Physiotherapists perform much of the same work that chiropractors do. They also specialize in different mobilization techniques.
These professionals apply manual pressure to increase blood flow. Their techniques break down scar tissue and reduce muscle tension. Some examples include trigger point therapy, therapeutic massage, and traction.
They also provide lymph draining and soft tissue mobilization.
Many physiotherapists today also offer acupuncture treatments to patients.
Acupuncture helps people with pain, inflammation, and circulation issues.
How to Choose Between a Chiropractor and a Physiotherapist
Knowing the differences between chiropractors and physiotherapists can help you choose services.
Use these rules of thumb to guide you:
Is a Chiropractor Right for Me?
A chiropractor is always the first and the best course of action to take when you have spinal issues. They treat spinal cord injuries and various related neurological conditions.
Make a chiropractor appointment if you're dealing with repetitive neurological issues. These issues cause pain in your extremities, headaches and migraines, or repetitive strains.
Choose a skilled chiropractor whose experience is verifiable.
Who Should Not See a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic care is helpful, but certain people should avoid these treatments. This includes people with any form of cancer in the spine or diagnosed spinal conditions.
Chiropractic visits also have rare risk factors. Some patients experience numbness and tingling following these visits. Others have lost strength in their arms and legs.
Patients have also experienced stroke following chiropractic visits. Always get the OK from your physician before visiting the chiropractor.
Is a Physiotherapist Right for Me?
A physiotherapist is best for strength training and injury recovery. They can get you back to physical activity or rebuild your body following an accident.
Physiotherapists may also offer diet and nutrition advice. This advice will help your body with the healing process.
Anyone needing a clear process for recovery will appreciate physiotherapy. These professionals understand the human body and its muscle groups. Choosing a licensed and experienced physiotherapist will give you the best possible recovery.
Who Should Not See a Physiotherapist?
People with certain pre-existing physical conditions shouldn't see a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy might worsen these conditions or create new injuries. Patients with autoimmune diseases may also worsen their conditions with physiotherapy.
These visits demand physical exertion and commitment that you must prepare for.
Likewise, make sure to check with your physician. This will give you the confidence you need to go through any regimen.
Are Chiro and Physio Treatments Covered Under Provincial Health Care Plans?
It only makes sense to check into insurance coverage if you need help with your chronic pain relief. Does insurance cover visits to the chiropractor or physiotherapist?
Here's what you need to know:
Chiropractors
Certain provinces allow for chiropractic visits under their provincial health care plans. British Columbia allows patients to get upward of 7 chiropractic visits per year. Manitoba also covers patients for certain chiropractic procedures.
A provincial health plan covers chiropractic treatments with a small co-pay. This co-pay is due at the time of service.
Check with your province to know for sure.
Physiotherapists
Certain provincial health care plans pay for physiotherapy treatments and regiments. You may need to prove certain reasons for receiving this service. This may include recovery from a car accident or on-the-job injury.
Check with your province to make sure your insurance covers your treatment.
Chiropractor vs Physiotherapist - The Takeaway
The points in this article explain chiropractor vs physiotherapist services. Knowing this information will help you out when you need pain relief and other services. You'll need the backing of a strong insurance provider to help you pay for any treatment you decide on.
At Insurdinary, it's our passion to provide patients with health insurance. We can offer the exact form of health insurance that they need to get the treatments that they need. This way, you can focus on healing and getting back to your normal life.
Take the time to reach out to us to get a free quote on a plan that can serve you. Reach out to us by e-mail (info@insurdinary.com) or by calling 1-877-574-RISK (7475).
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