Chiropractic vs Physical Therapy: Which is Right for You?
Deciding between a chiropractor and a physical therapist for your physical recovery can be a difficult choice. Chiropractors and physical therapists alike target large portions of the same areas of the body (limbs, neck, back, wrists, etc.) but their approach, education, and experience differ when it comes to the specifics of the injuries and pain management techniques.
If you haven’t received a specific referral for either a chiropractor or a physical therapist, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help determine which is the right choice for you and your body’s recovery.
Looking for a consult with a chiropractor near you? Contact Elite Chiropractic and Sport today.
Importance Differences Between Chiropractors and Physical Therapists
It’s worth noting that there can be overlap in the treatments provided by chiropractors and physical therapists, and both professions can be effective in treating musculoskeletal conditions.
The choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences. In some cases, an office will have both a chiropractor and physical therapist on staff to help provide well-rounded care.
Here are the main differences to keep in mind when pursuing the rest of our questions about how to determine the best doctor for your pain or recovery treatment plan.
Chiropractors:
- Focus is on spinal manipulation and realignment plus non-invasive treatments
- Approach is centered on the spine and joints
- General belief that most pain or injuries come central from the spine and nervous system
- Education revolves around musculoskeletal conditions
Physical Therapists:
- Focus is on exercises for recovery and injury prevention
- Approach is centered on improving strength, flexibility, and mobility
- General belief to consider the entire body for healing and focus
- Education revolves around a broad range of conditions and disorders
Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine Chiropractic vs Physical Therapy
Who has your primary care doctor recommended?
First things first are to have your primary care doctor consult on your condition and provide a recommendation. This will allow you to also receive referrals to doctors you may otherwise not have access to.
Is my condition musculoskeletal or neurological or cardiovascular?
Chiropractors focus primarily on musculoskeletal conditions while physical therapists are trained and educated in a broader range of topics, including neurological and cardiovascular. If you’re uncertain about the cause of your injury, consult with your primary doctor to help pinpoint the most likely cause. Research your issue to see who has the most experience with treatment.
Do I want a hands-on adjustment or mobility exercises to bring home?
A chiropractor is going to approach conditions with a hands-on approach to manual adjustments – this means they will realign the spine or manipulate nerves with their hands directly, which is a non-invasive treatment. A physical therapist, however, will take a manual approach for adjustments when you’re in-office but then also create a treatment plan compromised of exercises to complete at home. Both are manual therapy, but with different add-ons or focuses.
Does the practitioner I wish to see require a referral?
Some physical therapists require a direct referral in order to book an appointment and receive care. Most chiropractors, however, you can schedule an appointment without a direct referral. Review the referral or scheduling requirements for the doctors you are considering to see if you need to set up a primary care doctor visit first.
Does my insurance cover a physical therapy or chiropractic visit?
Check with your insurance coverage to see if your plan covers one type of doctor’s visit over another. It is important to ensure you know your out-of-pocket expenses for either practitioner to get the best care that also is covered. This will help you consult further on treatment plans you may be considering.
Are you looking for a holistic approach or rehabilitation therapy?
Chiropractors often discuss overall wellness when it comes to treatment plans. Physical therapists, however, target overall rehabilitation as their approach. Think about your own personal philosophies and what gains you wish to achieve from your doctor’s visit, besides just injury recovery and pain management. The similarities and differences between the two manual therapy modalities can often help be what sways a person’s decision.
What insights did I gain from my consult appointment?
When in doubt, schedule a consult with a local chiropractor and a local physical therapist. Discuss your pain or rehabilitation therapy goals, ask for their experience working on similar conditions, read reviews from other clients, and compare appointment notes to see which doctor addressed your condition in a way that made you feel comfortable, heard, and validated.
Healing Hands Showdown: Chiropractors vs Physical Therapists - The Ultimate Face-Off
In the end, your choice of chiropractor vs physical therapist will come down to your body, your injury, and your wellness values. Both practitioners have pros and cons to their approach on pain management that attract various clients.
Always work with a doctor that makes you feel safe and with whom you receive results in a timely manner. Be realistic, ask questions, and never be afraid to consult with another doctor for more opinions.
Chiropractor vs Physical Therapy FAQ
The primary differences between chiropractors vs physical therapists are the areas of education, their values, hands-on approach vs rehabilitation therapy with exercises, and a focus on musculoskeletal conditions or a broader range of treatments. Both focus on non-invasive treatment.
Choosing the right treatment comes down to referrals from other doctors, personal consults and treatment plans, and personal views on wellness approaches that align with your lifestyle and activity. Consults can help you determine which non-invasive treatment modality to go with.
Yes, plenty of offices have a chiropractor and physical therapist on staff, or consult with others, to ensure patients get well-rounded care that targets all areas. Always ensure your doctors are aware of who you are working with so no treatments interfere with one another or cause problems (rest days, hands-on adjustments, etc.).
Chiropractors will focus on musculoskeletal conditions while physical therapists work on a broader range, including cardiovascular or neurological disorders.
Both physical therapy treatments and chiropractic treatments come with risks. You should ensure your doctor is licensed, educated, highly rated, and familiar with your particular injury and lifestyle. Ie, someone who works primarily on sedentary clients is an ill-fit for an athlete. Discuss all risks with your doctor before agreeing to treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Bross is the owner of Elite Chiropractic and Sport. He serves as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. His unique approach to individualized patient care is based on the evaluation and treatment of the “whole” person.
Dr. Bross is a leader in the promotion of health and wellness. He has accumulated an extensive knowledge of the musculoskeletal and nutritional components of the human body. He is skilled in the Graston Technique, Active Release Technique, and Sports Medicine.
