Should I see a Chiropractor or a Physiotherapist? (and does it actually matter?)
Chiropractor vs Physiotherapist: Who Should You See for Pain or Injury?
It’s a question that gets asked VERY regularly.
You’ve developed a little bit of hip pain over the last few weeks that just isn’t going away. In fact, it’s getting a little worse. You’ve tried some stretching and a few drills you found on YouTube, but no change. Frustrated at how this is affecting your day-to-day life, you bite the bullet and decide to book a consultation.
But… do you see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist?
Chiropractor or Physiotherapist – What’s the Difference?
Even as a chiro, I get asked this all the time. “Can you help me with this or should I see a physio?”. The confusion is real and not made an easier by mixed answers on Google and biased advice from well meaning friends. So, who do you pick? I’ll get to my overarching answer in a bit, but let’s start by examining each profession’s traditional strengths. As a disclaimer, this is extremely generalised and I do not wish to offend anyone, so bear with me!
What Is Physiotherapy Typically Best For?
Physiotherapy is often the first port of call for someone seeking rehabilitation. Generally this is post-surgical but can also encompass sports injuries/return to play and general exercise prescription for naggin aches and pains. Whilst physiotherapists also offer hands on manual treatment, movement ed-education, load progression and rehab type scenarios are perhaps where their greatest strengths lie.
What Is Chiropractic Typically Best For?
Chiropractors on the other hand, go hand in hand with “cracking backs”. Spinal and joint mechanics combined with the chiropractic adjustment would be the first thing that come to most people’s minds. You could also throw in nervous system intervention and restoring motion to a tight or immobile body. Corrective exercise is definitely utilised, but I would argue that our chiropractic education does not equip us for this as well as the physio profession.
Chiropractor vs Physiotherapist – Where the Professions Overlap
So, who do we pick? The good news is that there is actually more overlap than you think, and that’s because physiotherapy and chiropractic are professions, not so much techniques. The different tools a practitioner has can be utilised by anyone willing to learn them. A good practitioner will be able to help you with pain management, rehab and corrective exercises, education on your issues and the do’s and don’ts, load management and how to return to the activities you love.
Why the Practitioner Matters More Than the Title
Therefore, my fundamental answer is that THE PRACTITIONER MATTERS MORE THAN THE TITLE. What is the quality of their assessment? Are they a good communicator? Do they listen? Do they show empathy and care? DO they understand your sport/lifestyle? Are they willing to collaborate with other practitioners? Are they thinking about what’s best for you and not for their bank balance?
How do you know if you’ve got a good practitioner in front of you?
· Do they do a thorough assessment before treating?
· Do they explain what’s happening?
· Did they give you a plan?
· Did they consider strength and rehab? Or just manual work on the table?
· Did they listen to you?
· DO they work with other professionals?
For younger athletes in particular, good care should always consider long-term development, not just short-term pain relief. This is where principles like long-term athletic development play an important role.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist
To bring it all together, there is no right answer. Good care is multidisciplinary and the goal is progress for you as the patient, not what label your practitioner carries. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to find a practitioner who you really believe in, but make sure you find someone who treats you, not just the symptoms.
If you’re unsure which approach is right for you, a thorough assessment and personalised plan should always come first. Our sports injury and rehabilitation services focus on understanding the cause of your pain and guiding you back to movement with confidence.
Dylan Harvey
Chiropractor + Owner of Shire Spine & Sport
