As a practitioner, I get asked this every week…

“So whats the difference between osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy”

Once we’ve got the jokes out of the way (The spelling, 50 grand a year and a Porsche etc), I try to explain, which is far harder than you initially think, as there are a huge number of cross over points between each discipline.

My take is:

• The philosophy behind each practice. Having evolved from similar roots, each form has taken on a different theoretical approach to treatment.
• An Osteopath tends to look globally as well as locally, use soft tissue techniques in conjunction with appropriate manipulation and applies the osteopathic principles to diagnosis and treatment.
• Chiropractors traditionally look at adjusting the spine to improve the health of the body, manipulate (or adjust) more often, use x ray and other interventional tests to aid a diagnostic process and feel able to treat far more frequently.
• Physiotherapists use a range of soft tissue techniques and electrotherapy as well as some manipulations and tend to practice in a hospital environment, as well as having special areas of interest, for example pre and post operative, respiratory etc.

However, these days there are far more areas of commonality. All practices are protected by law (you are not able to call yourself any of the above unless on a legally defined register), have to regularly train and update their skill base, use palpation, active and passive movements for diagnosis and have access to a combination of techniques to achieve their therapeutic goal.

In the end, it comes down to personal preference and personal recommendation. A good practitioner of any discipline should be able to take the time to talk you through your presentation, give you the treatment options, the space to come to your own conclusions and help map out a treatment pathway.

Whoever you choose to help manage your health, consider it as a lifetime investment in yourself.