Chiropractic or Osteopathy: what’s the difference and which is right for you?
It’s estimated that up to 80% of us suffer from back pain at one point or another in our lives.
Maybe you’ve felt a sudden twinge in your back when bending forward to pick up something innocuous or woken up with a stiff back, or felt that familiar knot between your shoulders? These small beginnings of discomfort can escalate to acute pain over a few hours or days.
You’ve probably wondered where to turn for help.
Chiropractor? Osteopath?
Both are offered at the Loft Clinic and in this month’s blog is some information to help you decide which is the best option for you.
Firstly be reassured that both professions offer well-evidenced treatment to reduce pain and improve movement.
And both are focused on helping you to be more comfortable in your body in the long and short-term.
So what actually sets them apart? And how do you decide which one is right for you?
The big picture
At their core, chiropractic and osteopathy share a lot of common ground.
They both:
work with the joints of the body
focus on improving movement and reducing discomfort
use manual, hands-on techniques
are not relying on medication
are fully regulated healthcare professions
In many ways, they’re like two different routes to the same destination — helping your body move better, hurt less, and function more freely.
And you may well find that the difference between individual practitioners within each profession is more varied than the difference between the professions.
Chiropractors and osteopaths are required to complete extensive CPD (continuing professional development) each year in order to maintain and improve patient-care. However the training itself isn’t specified and allows individual practitioners to specialise in areas of interest.
For instance there are many chiropractors and osteopaths who use acupuncture as a part of their treatment when they feel it is indicated.
This means that chiropractors and osteopaths will work in different ways as they develop their practices, whilst working to a strong professional code.
What chiropractic care focuses on
Traditionally chiropractic care has emphasised treatment of the nervous system. It does this by making “adjustments” to individual joints in the body.
Joints comprise not only bones and joint capsules but also ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and blood supply.
“Subluxated” (ie misaligned) joints can have an impact on muscle tension as well as nerve and blood supply, causing pain (locally and remotely) and restricted movement.
Adjusting the joint allows it to find a more optimal position where it can function better and this includes the transmission of signals from the brain through the nerves into all parts of the body.
Chiropractic treatment includes:
assessment of posture and alignment
joint manipulation
precise adjustments
exercise and postural advice
There are different styles/schools of chiropractic within the profession and the Loft Clinic offers two types - McTimoney chiropractic and Diversified chiropractic.
McTimoney chiropractic tends to be more holistic and gentle in approach and is less likely to elicit cracking or popping of the joints when adjustments are made.
Diversified chiropractic focuses more on addressing the area where the problem is with specific adjustments which can often produce a popping or cracking sensation
People often choose chiropractic care when they’re dealing with things like:
lower back pain
neck stiffness
shoulder issues
trapped nerves
joint pain anywhere in the body
headaches and migraines
pain related to poor posture
What osteopathy focuses on
Traditionally osteopathy has emphasised blood supply, mobilisation and long-levered techniques to manipulate joints where cracking/popping of the joints (ie in the spine) may occur, depending on the individual practitioner.
Osteopathy looks at how everything connects -muscles, joints, ligaments, posture, movement and even how you breathe and hold tension.
Osteopathy can also address issues around organs (ie visceral treatment) such as adhesions in the gut wall, which is a speciality of the Loft Clinic’s senior osteopath (Antonia)
Treatment might include:
gentle stretching
soft tissue release
joint mobilisation
manipulation
advice on movement and daily habits
The philosophy behind osteopathy is that the body works as an integrated system. Pain in one area might actually be linked to restriction or compensation somewhere else entirely.
Because of this, osteopathy can feel a little broader and more exploratory. It’s often a good fit if your discomfort feels more generalised, chronic, or hard to pin down.
To summarise - Chiropractic is often more pelvis and spine-focused and adjustment-led; whereas Osteopathy is often more whole-body focused and soft-tissue led. But this isn’t a rigid rule - many chiropractors also use massage and mobilisation and some Osteopaths also use manipulation and adjustments.
So how do you choose?
For most people, the decision comes down to two things:
The kind of problem you’re experiencing
The style of treatment you feel most comfortable with
What we see at The Loft Clinic
People don’t walk in saying “I need an osteopathic approach” or “I definitely need chiropractic manipulation.” They walk in saying things like “My back has been hurting for weeks.”; “I can’t turn my head properly.”; or “I just don’t feel right in my body anymore.”
So, that’s exactly where we start. We take the time to listen, assess properly and tailor care to what you need.
A good practitioner will always:
ask about your history
assess how you move
explain what they think is going on
create a plan that makes sense for your life
The title on the door is far less important than the care inside the room.
Our approach
Your body isn’t a textbook example and your pain doesn’t read the rulebook. So we focus on understanding what’s actually going on for you.
Your first appointment is always about:
hearing your story
assessing your movement and posture
understanding your goals
deciding together on the best way forward
Whether that ends up looking more like chiropractic care, osteopathic techniques, or a blend of both, the aim is the same…helping you feel better, move easier and get back to doing the things you love.
Still not sure which is right for you?
We are happy to have a brief phone call consultation or to book you in for an in-person consultation and we’ll help guide you toward the approach that makes the most sense for your body and your symptoms.