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Back Pain Specialists
Choosing between an Osteopath, Chiropractor and a Physiotherapist is sometimes difficult because all three professions have an excellent track-record of success and many very happy patients. Choosing one form of treatment over another will depend on which approach sounds most appealing in light of your condition, lifestyle and personality.
All of the professions operate under strict statutory controls and promote ongoing skills development through their professional development programmes. In addition they each play an increasingly accepted role in the treatment of back pain and sports injuries within the NHS.
Differences between Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists
Osteopathy and chiropractic share much in common. Both professions look at patients holistically and address the musculoskeletal system of patients using manipulation as a primary means of treatment. Historically, chiropractic is often regarded as an offshoot of osteopathy.
The subtle differences are well explained by Dr Barrie Savory in
'The Good Back Guide'. He explains the history as follows:
"Chiropractors believed any vertical misalignment caused bony pressure on nerves, leading to problems not just in the surrounding muscles and tissues but also in other areas of the body. The osteopathic concept was more that any physiological changes in a disturbed spinal segment would affect the surrounding autonomic nerves and lead to an impaired blood supply to any tissues supplied from that level."
As a result Chiropractors focus on the relative position of vertebrae while Osteopaths focus more on the motion of the spinal segments. In treatment terms this can mean that Chiropractors may only require short sessions with quite focussed and specific manipulation of the spine whereas Osteopaths prefer longer treatments with more work on muscles and, perhaps, a more gentle manipulation.
Physiotherapy has a less 'philosophical' approach to treatment than osteopathy or chiropractic. Its focus is very much on mobility and it is more closely aligned to traditional medical approaches; indeed many Physiotherapists operate within the NHS rather than in private practice. Its focus on using electrical therapies such as short-wave diathermy, ultrasound and heat lamps is a key difference. In addition, Physiotherapists also have a particular focus on remedial exercises and increasingly offer facilities for supervised exercise as part of an effective rehabilitation program.
Although the theoretical frameworks of Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists can appear quite different, there is frequently an underlying similarity of approach to the treatment of a specific condition. Hence, your choice as a patient should focus on which approach is best aligned with your expectations. More information about each profession can be found at the links below.
- For more info about choosing an Osteopath click here
- For more info about choosing a Chiropractor click here
- For more information about choosing a Physiotherapist click here
How we recommend individual practitioners
The Back Pain Appointment Line takes special care that all the Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists we recommend deliver excellent care. We use the most reliable information available - patient feedback - to ensure that we are recommending back pain specialists who deliver high levels of satisfaction. This feedback process is supported by our Guarantee which means that we refund the initial consultation fee of any patient not satisfied with the practitioner we recommended.
In addition, practitioners are only eligible for referrals from the Back Pain Appointment Line if there are no complaints about them currently lodged with their relevant regulatory authority, i.e., the General Osteopathic Council, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or the General Chiropractic Council.
Practitioner Training and Regulation
In the UK Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists are required to undertake degree courses of at least four years as well as gaining practical experience. In addition to the training offered in the UK there are a large number of practitioners working in the UK from other countries - Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in particular - which share a long tradition of excellence in back pain treatment and education.
In common with medical practitioners and dentists, all Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists must by law be registered with their relevant regulatory authority, i.e., the General Osteopathic Council, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or the General Chiropractic Council. Practitioners can only be registered if they have appropriate qualifications, are of good character and are physically and mentally fit.