Physiotherapy & Chiropractic
It can be quite easy to confuse what a chiropractor does with what a physiotherapist does. On the surface, they may appear to be offering a similar set of services with a similar set of goals in mind. However, there is a clear distinction between the two.
Vancouver Physiotherapy Clinic
Electra Health – 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC
Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm
604-685-4325 (HEAL)
Physiotherapists, who may also be known as physical therapists, work largely with patients in a rehabilitative manner. These patients may have suffered an acute injury of some sort, or they may be suffering from a kind of chronic condition. In any case, the goal is to help the patient restore a healthier level of mobility and function. As part of the process, physiotherapists also work closely with their patients in the management and reduction of pain.
The key is that physiotherapists work with their patients in an effort to improve overall movement. Treatment programs can include massage, stretches, and a variety of other exercises.
By contrast, a chiropractor focuses more on the musculoskeletal system of the body. While this can also work to improve mobility in the patient, the emphasis is more on the proper alignment of the skeletal system. It is quite common for people to associate chiropractic medicine with the alignment of the spine. This may be a major area in the field, but chiropractors can work with the entirety of the musculoskeletal system.
The typical treatment plans for chiropractors can be quite different from what you would receive from a physiotherapist. The latter may have more rehabilitation through specific exercises, whereas chiropractors take a very direct approach with the manipulation of bones and joints. It is not uncommon for patients to hear “cracking” as the chiropractor works to re-align the spine and treat what are known as “subluxations.”
Both physiotherapists and chiropractors go through extensive education and training before they are certified and qualified to provide their respective services. Both also need to keep their techniques and certification up to date on a regular basis. That said, just as some family doctors may be better suited to address your needs than others, the same can be said about physiotherapists and chiropractors as well.
While some may see the two schools of thought as being at odds with one another, offering distinctly different approaches to possibly similar sets of problems, that isn’t necessarily true. In fact, the exact opposite belief can carry a lot more weight: chiropractic and physiotherapy can be quite complementary, offering even greater value to the patient when used together than when they are used separately.
Another noted distinction is that physiotherapy is more likely to have a set timeline for treatment. After the patient has reached a certain level of recovery, they may no longer need physiotherapy. By contrast, chiropractic medicine is also preventative medicine. This means that it is not uncommon for someone to have chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis, even if he or she feels healthy and aligned. This is about maintenance and management.
That is why the physiotherapists at Electra have a strong relationship with many trusted Vancouver chiropractors. It is very easy to get a referral to a chiropractor who can help to supplement the treatments that you are receiving in physiotherapy, aiding and accelerating the recovery process.
Vancouver Physiotherapy Clinic
Electra Health – 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC
Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm
604-685-4325 (HEAL)
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