Chiropractor vs Physical Therapist: What Are The Differences?

Chiropractor vs Physical Therapist: What Are The Differences?

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Periodically I will get asked by a new patient “What are the differences between a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and a physical therapist (PT)?”. This is because chiropractors and PT’s both address musculoskeletal  pain and improve movement, but they differ in their approach. 

Doctors of Chiropractic are portal of entry providers, so patients can be seen without a referral from another doctor to get a treating diagnosis and begin care. Most PT’s require a referral from a doctor to begin treatment. Both can be helpful for conditions like back pain, but physical therapy often focuses on longer-term rehabilitation and functional improvement, whereas chiropractic care might be more focused on immediate pain relief and future prevention.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Physical Therapy:

• Focus:

Restoring and improving overall body function, strength, and mobility. 

• Treatment:

Exercises, stretches, manual therapy (like massage), and modalities like heat, cold, or ultrasound. 

• Goal:

Gradual recovery and long-term maintenance of improved function, often through exercises the patient can do independently. 

• Example:

Rehabilitating a patient after surgery or helping someone regain movement after a stroke. 

Chiropractic Care:

• Focus:

Alignment of bones and joints, particularly the spine, and addressing musculoskeletal issues. Prevention of future reoccurrences. 

• Treatment:

Spinal adjustments (manual manipulations) to restore joint alignment and improve function. Physical modalities to decrease swelling, improve motion and increase strength.

• Goal:

Pain relief and restoring body alignment, often with a focus on addressing the underlying cause of the problem.

• Example:

Treating whiplash, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, or headaches related to spinal dysfunction. 

Key Differences:

Treatment:

Chiropractors use manual adjustments and physical modalities to improve strength and motion, while physical therapists typically employ a specific protocol of techniques to correct a problem via stretches, exercises and modalities

Scope of Practice:

Physical therapists cannot diagnosis a condition and can only focus on the problem they were referred to, while a Doctor of Chiropractic can diagnose a problem and use a variety of diagnostic aids, such as x-ray or MRI, to create a treatment plan using spinal manipulation and physical modalities. 

Treatment Duration:

Physical therapy programs are often more structured and time-bound, focusing on specific goals like recovering from an injury or surgery. Chiropractic care may involve more frequent, shorter sessions initially, then less frequent sessions for maintenance. 

Which is Right for You?

The best approach depends on your specific condition and needs:

• If you need help regaining function after a stroke or surgery, physical therapy is often a good choice. 
• If you’re experiencing pain, particularly back pain or neck pain, and are looking for a hands-on approach without the need of drugs, chiropractic care would be a good option. 
• For conditions like sciatica, both chiropractic care and physical therapy can be effective, but chiropractic care may focus more on addressing the underlying cause through exercises and stretches after a proper diagnosis. 

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!