Chiropractor, Osteopath or Physiotherapist?

A chiropracter can realign joints and determine if they are out of place. A physiotherapist uses exercises to strengthen the muscles that connect to the joints. A osteopath is a medical doctor who has also studied chiropracty. Because he is an actual medical doctor he can prescribe medication if necessary (until realigning the joints and exercise can fix the problem); and, he can also determine if there is an underlying medical problem which is the cause of the pain in the first place. There are diseases that can weaken the bones, weaken the muscles, cause the nerves to misfire causing the muscles to not work properly, damage the cartilege between the joints, etc. See the osteopath and maybe he can tell you what the actual problem is that is causing this to be a recurring problem. I had back problems and finally saw an osteopath. He told me to stop doing the exercises that I was told to do (they were making the problem worse,) gave me 2 new exercises, and explained the cause of my problem in terms I could understand. Now, 31 years later my back rarely bothers me and I know in advance when it is going to happen because I know I did something that would make the problem come back (sometimes circumstances force you to do things you know you shouldn't do)

In truth I don't know the difference. But both my parents go to a chiropractor regularly and swear by him. My mother suffers from osteoporosis causing curvature of he spine and she says that he has worked wonders on her posture.

An Osteopath, at least in the US is also a physician. If you have a health need, an osteopath will practice a more holistic type of medicine. One of my family doctors was an Osteopath, that is not why I chose him, but it was why he was good. He treated the whole person and he listened to us. I see a chiropractor, on occasion, when I have a particular need and can tell I am out of alignment. I have not seen a physical therapist. I think of PT as being for a long term need. I tend to go to a provider that I can trust and talk to, whatever the letters after their name mean. I think convenience is also a contributing factor.

I really don't know the difference. I am lucky to not have a problem with my back..but if I did I would check with a chiropractor first...

hi GreenMoo I would really recommend your physiotherapist as I just got out of rehab hospital after a bad fall day after Valentine's day. I blacked both eyes, broke my nose which really does not hurt, made two fat welts above my right eye and ouch and pain twisted my right knee, In twenty days of great physical therapy I c an again bear to walk on that right leg. no other broken bones but my nose. I still h ave some pain thats controlled by Vicodon but am ever so much better. These people really worked with me and thankfully my hmo did cover it. I will start more therapy here at home in Gold Crest starting tomorrow. I would advise sticking with your physiotherapist. I do not know much about chiropracters or osteopaths either but p therapists work with the injured part and all other parts of your body, strengthening and building up your injured muscles. its all done gradually and carefully as they never made me work with them for longer than I could take it. I really think this team was just great.

I was curious now, so I looked it up. Seems like chiropractor is mainly for the spine and the relation with nervous system. Osteopath is skeleton and muscles. Physiotherapist or physical therapist uses exercise/massage to restore health! Interesting!!!

An osteopath is a regular medical doctor who has extra training in muscles and joints. I went to one for years and was very happy with his treatment. They are doctors but better! I have scoliosis so they can't do much for my back but I hope your problems are few and far between.

First have anyone diagnose the problem as yet, before you started going to all these other people like a internist due to your back problem may not only be a back problem, there may be millions of other things that can cause back pain, not only a bed problem only for an example. you need a diagnosis before hopping around to all these people who haven't given you an answer or a relief.