If you’re wondering if you should see a chiropractor or an osteopath, you’re not alone. Both practitioners focus on musculoskeletal health, but there are key differences between the two. Here is a brief overview of each profession and the cases where it may be useful to use their services.
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a medical professional who focuses on establishing proper alignment of the spine and other joints.
At first glance, it might seem like chiropractors only focus on proper spinal alignment, but their expertise goes much deeper. Chiropractors view the body holistically. Which just means they treat it as one organism, rather than separate systems.
When they correct a misalignment, or subluxation, of a joint or bone, it affects nerves, muscles, and other parts of the body. This is what makes it possible to use chiropractic care to treat a wide variety of conditions. Chiropractors tend to focus on natural remedies and generally do not recommend surgery or prescriptions.
What is an osteopath?
Osteopathy is a type of alternative medicine that emphasizes the importance of the musculoskeletal system in health and disease. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques, including manipulation, to treat patients. They also focus on encouraging the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Osteopathy is not affiliated with any particular medical tradition, and osteopaths work alongside other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and chiropractors. The goal of osteopathy is to provide holistic care that takes into account the mind, body and soul.
Osteopath Vs Chiropractor: What’s the difference?
When it comes to treating back pain, many people don’t know which type of practitioner to consult. Both osteopaths and chiropractors are trained in manual therapies, but they have different approaches to treatment. Osteopaths focus on the musculoskeletal system and believe that the structure of the body affects its function. Therefore, they use various techniques, including manipulative therapies, to restore balance to the body. Chiropractors, on the other hand, focus specifically on the spine and believe that improper spinal alignment can cause a variety of health issues. They use spinal manipulations to correct these misalignments and improve overall health. While both osteopaths and chiropractors can effectively treat back pain, it’s important to choose the practitioner who best meets your needs.
Who to consult?
Osteopath:
There are many cases where it can be beneficial to consult an osteopath. If you’ve been in a car accident or had a fall, you can see an osteopath to make sure your spine is properly aligned and your nervous system isn’t damaged. Osteopaths can also treat conditions such as headaches, neck pain, and TMJ disorders. Also, if you are pregnant or have recently given birth, an osteopath can help relieve back pain and other pregnancy-related discomforts. Ultimately, if you feel any pain or discomfort, it is always best to consult a health professional to find out if osteopathy is right for you.
Chiropractor:
Chiropractors can treat a lot of different conditions. As it is often recommended to consult one if you suffer from one of the following conditions:
- Back pain.
- Cervical pain.
- Headache.
- Migraines.
- ATM disorders.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome or scoliosis.
Chiropractors are trained to manipulate the spine and other joints to relieve pain and restore normal function. They can also give advice on topics such as posture and exercise. This can help prevent future problems.
If you’re not sure if you should see a chiropractor, you can always ask your GP for a referral.
Reminder :
Chiropractic and osteopathy are two different forms that come under the umbrella of alternative medicine. Unfortunately, they are not covered by social security. In other words, a session with an osteopath or a chiropractor is not reimbursed by the CPAM. Which means you’ll need supplemental health insurance that has a cap on alternative medicine and may cover your treatment costs more.
