If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’ve finally had enough of simply putting up with your back/neck/joint pain, and you’re ready to seek treatment. But which treatment is the best option for your specific condition – chiropractic or osteopathy?
The “osteo vs chiro” discussion ultimately comes down to the nature and severity of the neuromuscular disorder you’re experiencing. As a generalisation, a chiropractor primarily focuses on spinal adjustments to alleviate pain and increase mobility in the affected area, whereas osteopaths will focus on treating soft tissue primarily, with adjustments as a secondary focus and thus may have longer appointments. Please note that all therapists work differently and there are different schools of thought in both Chiropractic and Osteopathy which can ultimately change the style of practice.
A chiropractor manipulates your vertebrae with the goal to realign the bones and joints in the affected area – the mentality is that by doing this, your body can correct itself over time. It’s quite common for chiropractors to use X-Rays to identify spinal issues/skeletal problems elsewhere in the body, before proceeding with the necessary adjustments.
Originating in the 1870s, osteopathy is more concerned with the relationship between your musculoskeletal system and its impact on your overall physical health. However there is a little crossover in both modalities in this regard. An osteopath will evaluate your musculoskeletal condition through physical examination, using touch and feel to determine how to proceed with targeted treatment.
Osteopaths and chiropractors both believe that correct spinal alignment is imperative to achieving optimal overall health. For instance, it’s widely understood that a healthy and correctly aligned spine can improve central nervous system functionality and increase blood flow throughout the body. Both modalities strive to alleviate aches and pains, reduce the frequency of headaches, improve circulation and in some cases even alleviate sinus issues.
Your decision to seek chiropractic vs osteopathy treatment ultimately boils down to what musculoskeletal issue you’re experiencing, and which modality is better equipped for providing long-term relief and management of that issue.
At Essendon Natural Health, our dedicated osteopaths are fully qualified and highly experienced in assessing a patient’s unique musculoskeletal condition, and then developing a tailored treatment plan to target your specific condition.
Our goal is to help you restore a quality day-to-day lifestyle by alleviating pain and improving mobility. We may also recommend complementary massage or acupuncture treatment and nutritional medicine advice to accelerate the recovery process, if necessary.
To schedule an appointment with one of our professional osteopaths, please book online or contact us directly for more information.
B.C.M (Hons), C.Clin.Prac (China), C.Toyohari. Registered Acupuncturist and Herbalist. Integrative Natural Medicine Practitioner.
Robert is a passionate and warm practitioner who has an extensive knowledge of integrative and functional natural medicine. He is down to earth and has an interest in organic foods, gardening and sustainable living. With over a decade of experience, he is renowned for being very thorough by both fellow practitioners and patients alike.
