Physical Therapist vs Chiropractor: What’s the Difference?

There are an estimated 50 million people in the United States who suffer from daily chronic pain. Those who suffer often seek alternative medicine and therapy options to cope with their pain. Physical therapists and chiropractors are often utilized to help manage the symptoms of chronic pain.

We are going to dive into the differences between a physical therapist and a chiropractor to better help you understand which is right for you. Let’s get started!

What Is a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists, in general, focus on whole-body movements. Physical therapists not only perform hands-on movements such as soft tissue massage, but they also help clients with exercises and give them neuromuscular education. Physical therapists aim to give their patients independence and increase mobility and range of motion.

Physical therapists often perform many of the same techniques as Chiropractors, however, they also apply techniques such as acupressure and water therapy. In many cases, a Physical therapist will specialize in working with a specific type of patient such as someone who is relearning to walk or someone who is recovering from an accident. Check out these physical therapists to learn more.

What Is a Chiropractor

A Chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in disorders involving the spine and joints. Chiropractors spinal adjustments and joint manipulation to correct issues and prevent surgery or the use of pain killers. This type of medicine influences the nervous system and affects total body alignment.

With Chiropractic adjustments, a variety of issues can be treated ranging from headaches to carpal tunnel and more serious issues such as spinal alignment troubles. Where physical therapists focus more on helping patients mobility, Chiropractic care largely focuses on pain relief with mobility as a second focus.

Which Is Best

When it comes to deciding between a Chiropractor vs Physical therapist it really depends on the patient. Some patients benefit more from the practices of a Chiropractor as they are in a lot of pain and that is their primary focus. With that being said, in many cases, a Physical therapist can apply similar techniques and also focus on increasing mobility.

In the event of an accident, or in the case of someone needing to regain mobility, a Physical therapist is a suitable choice. They often act not only as a doctor but also as a coach. Chiropractors are the best choice for someone who is experiencing either chronic or acute pain that is affecting their daily life.

Choosing a Physical Therapist Vs Chiropractor

As you can see, choosing between a Physical therapist vs Chiropractor is largely dependent on the needs of the individual. There is no one size fits all option for this type of care. Discussing your options with both a Chiropractor and a Physical therapist is the best course of action to find the choice that is right for you.

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