Osteo vs Chiro. Osteo vs Physio. Which one?!

“If it works for you, then don’t stop now!”

The most common question asked to an Osteopath is “What’s the difference between Osteo, Chiro & Physio?”. It is also covered comprehensively by many clinics and practitioners to inform the person about which profession may be the most effective for them and their presentation. The beauty about this question is that you will often hear a different answer depending on who you ask. This article is simply one person’s opinion about the matter.

All three professions have many similarities and differences.

Similarities

• Common outcomes - decrease pain and discomfort levels

  • The difference is in how this is achieved

    • Neurologically, range of motion, flexibility, strength etc.

• Can all be very ‘hands on’ (some more than others)

• Techniques

  • Some practitioners may use some hands on techniques more than others. Other practitioners may use no hands on techniques at all

  • Techniques include (but are not limited to):

    • Soft tissue massage

    • Joint manipulation

    • Trigger point therapy

    • Dry needling

    • Cupping

• All professions can be effective for different stages of life eg. pregnancy, geriatric, paediatric, elite sports people (some practitioners also ‘specialise’ within these areas as well)

• All are required to use evidence-based practice

• All undergo comprehensive training (at a higher education level) and are required to undergo ongoing professional education to stay up-to-date with current research. This is a mandatory requirement of the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA)

• The aim is to treat and manage the underlying cause rather than just the symptoms

• Each profession is trained to refer to the appropriate health professional if further investigation is required

• All professions are covered by private health insurance companies

• All are eligible to manage patients under WorkCover, TAC, DVA & CDM schemes.

• All are trained to assess, diagnose, treat and manage pain presentations

• All professions are trained to also assess lifestyle factors and hence provide feedback and management strategies relating to basic factors which may be contributing to the patients presentation

  • Eg. basic nutrition, exercise therapy advice, occupational and domestic ergonomics & health

Differences

• Use of ‘machinery’/tools as a part of treatment - eg. chiros may use an ‘applicator adjustment instrument’ (depending on their methodology), physios may use an ultrasound etc

  • Traditionally Osteopathy is a hands on only experience although modern-day practice may see them use interventions such as a dry needles, cupping, shockwave machine, TENs machine etc - these skills and the application of such tools is learned after university. (NB: The ‘applicator adjustment instrument’ is traditionally a chiropractic-specific tool)

  • All of these tools / machinery can be used across all 3 professions - it is up to the training and discretion of the practitioner if they use them (or not) within a treatment. 

• The overall approach to a specific presentation. This is a VERY GENERAL description:

  • Chiropractic: Will assess the patient to determine the potential neurological influence on an area. This will predominantly involve a thorough assessment of the spine (often with the use of a x-ray machine) and treatment to the areas which may be resulting in the pain presentation.

    • There are different specialties of chiropractors, with their services mainly limited to private practice and sports teams.

  • Physiotherapy: Will perform a thorough assessment of the area under question. This includes a biomechanical assessment which involves investigating the structure and function of the area. A combination of manual therapy and exercise prescription is the general treatment approach.

    • Different specialties of Physio see them work in aged-care facilities, hospitals and in private practice.

  • Osteopathy: Similarly to physio, an Osteopath will perform a thorough biomechanical assessment (looking at structure & function). Their approach may be a more whole body approach, assessing the influence of one area of the body on another. Treatment may involve a number of areas, rather than solely the one under question. 

    • Similar to Physios & Chiropractors, Osteopaths can specialise depending on their special interests.

    • At this stage in the profession, Osteopathic practitioners generally tend to practice in a private practice setting (and also in sports teams)

The fantastic thing about all three professions is that they can work harmoniously together for the benefit of the patient… a real team care approach, if you will. Each profession (or practitioner for that matter) will have their strengths and weaknesses. It really does come down to the patient’s treatment preferences and patient / practitioner rapport. If it works for you, then don’t stop now!

We would love the opportunity to work with you if Osteopathy sounds like it’s what you’re after. You can easily book an appointment online by clicking BOOK NOW.