Osteopath vs. Chiropractor - What's the difference?
“What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?”
This is something we are regularly asked by patients. You will find we actually have more similarities than differences…
Similarites
Both professions;
The main difference between the two professions is the philosophy of Osteopathy and Chiropractic…
Differences
What they treat
Osteopaths are trained to take a more holistic approach to treatment and view the body as a whole. They believe all muscles, bones, ligaments and connective tissues work in sequence together. A Chiropractor would mostly be concerned with the health of the spine and the affect this has on the rest of the body. But they may treat the shoulders, hips and knees too.
How they assess
A significant portion of an Osteopath’s training is dedicated to developing a highly sensitive sense of touch (palpation). They use their hands to analysis the structural and functional imbalances within the musculoskeletal system. A Chiropractor may prefer to use diagnostic equipment such as X-Ray or MRI scans to determine the position of the spine and its joints. An Osteopath may be concerned with the relationship between various joints and how they move together, giving them information on the root cause of an injury. Whereas a Chiropractor may be more concerned with their position and ‘alignment’.
How they treat
Osteopaths tend to use a broader range of techniques. As well as the spinal manipulations, they also utilise more gentle ‘indirect’ techniques where necessary. These techniques are used to observe very subtle strains throughout the body that may have developed over many years or decades. Osteopaths also frequently use soft tissue massage and stretching techniques.
Although some Chiropractors may opt to work on muscles, many will primarily focus on manipulating the spine, known as ‘adjustments’. A Chiropractor may also be found using a small hand-held device to treat joints of the spine. The Activator Method involves using a spring-loaded instrument called and Activator Adjusting Instrument that delivers a single thrust to a joint which may result in an audible ‘click’.
Treatment length and frequency
Osteopath sessions typically last between 30-45mins.
As a typical Chiropractor session mostly involves ‘adjustments’, their sessions tend to be a bit shorter at 15-20mins.
Osteopath treatments may be advised around once a week initially (or twice a week in acute cases) and pay as they go. As the patient’s condition improves they will attend less and less frequently dependent on their individual needs.
Chiropractic sessions are sometimes sold as courses or block bookings. In the example of 10 sessions being advised by the Chiropractor, the 10 sessions may be sold as a block and the patient may visit 2-3 times per week for several weeks until the course is complete.
To conclude, the philosophy of both Osteopathy and Chiropractic are open to interpretation to the individual practitioner, there are many Osteopaths practising like Chiropractors, just as there are many Chiropractors practising like Osteopaths. No one profession is better than the other, both are highly skilled practitioners when it comes to dealing with problems areas in the musculoskeletal system and you should expect an excellent service from either professional.
Summary
Osteopathy
Chiropractic
This is something we are regularly asked by patients. You will find we actually have more similarities than differences…
Similarites
Both professions;
- Focus on the diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of conditions within the musculoskeletal system.
- Use hands-on techniques to treat the patient
- Are specially trained to deliver thrust manipulations to the spine, which may produce an audible ‘click’.
- Are trained to prescribe exercise and posture advice to further promote their patient’s recovery
- Require a minimum 4 years university training
The main difference between the two professions is the philosophy of Osteopathy and Chiropractic…
Differences
What they treat
Osteopaths are trained to take a more holistic approach to treatment and view the body as a whole. They believe all muscles, bones, ligaments and connective tissues work in sequence together. A Chiropractor would mostly be concerned with the health of the spine and the affect this has on the rest of the body. But they may treat the shoulders, hips and knees too.
How they assess
A significant portion of an Osteopath’s training is dedicated to developing a highly sensitive sense of touch (palpation). They use their hands to analysis the structural and functional imbalances within the musculoskeletal system. A Chiropractor may prefer to use diagnostic equipment such as X-Ray or MRI scans to determine the position of the spine and its joints. An Osteopath may be concerned with the relationship between various joints and how they move together, giving them information on the root cause of an injury. Whereas a Chiropractor may be more concerned with their position and ‘alignment’.
How they treat
Osteopaths tend to use a broader range of techniques. As well as the spinal manipulations, they also utilise more gentle ‘indirect’ techniques where necessary. These techniques are used to observe very subtle strains throughout the body that may have developed over many years or decades. Osteopaths also frequently use soft tissue massage and stretching techniques.
Although some Chiropractors may opt to work on muscles, many will primarily focus on manipulating the spine, known as ‘adjustments’. A Chiropractor may also be found using a small hand-held device to treat joints of the spine. The Activator Method involves using a spring-loaded instrument called and Activator Adjusting Instrument that delivers a single thrust to a joint which may result in an audible ‘click’.
Treatment length and frequency
Osteopath sessions typically last between 30-45mins.
As a typical Chiropractor session mostly involves ‘adjustments’, their sessions tend to be a bit shorter at 15-20mins.
Osteopath treatments may be advised around once a week initially (or twice a week in acute cases) and pay as they go. As the patient’s condition improves they will attend less and less frequently dependent on their individual needs.
Chiropractic sessions are sometimes sold as courses or block bookings. In the example of 10 sessions being advised by the Chiropractor, the 10 sessions may be sold as a block and the patient may visit 2-3 times per week for several weeks until the course is complete.
To conclude, the philosophy of both Osteopathy and Chiropractic are open to interpretation to the individual practitioner, there are many Osteopaths practising like Chiropractors, just as there are many Chiropractors practising like Osteopaths. No one profession is better than the other, both are highly skilled practitioners when it comes to dealing with problems areas in the musculoskeletal system and you should expect an excellent service from either professional.
Summary
Osteopathy
- Primarily treats the musculoskeletal system (MSK) of the body and injuries/conditions arising from here
- Some Osteopaths may treat respiratory and digestive ailments
- Has a wide array of techniques, including but not exclusive to soft tissue massage, joint articulations, spinal manipulations (clicks)
- Expert advice should be expected for low back pain, neck pain as well as joint pain in the arms and legs
- A primary complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) not usually offered on the NHS
- Hands-on therapy to detect, treat and prevent dysfunction of the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints of the MSK
- Views the body as a unit and as a whole. Treats neighbouring joints and structures
- Holistic approach and treats all joints and areas of the body, looking for the cause of an issue
- Go by what they feel through palpation
- Requires 4-5 years university degree training
- Registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and have their title as an Osteopath protected by law
- Cranial techniques are used by some osteopaths, where they can detect extremely subtle strains throughout the body
Chiropractic
- Deals primarily with spinal manipulation, known as ‘adjustments’
- Most chiropractors do less work through the muscles and other soft tissue structures of the MSK
- Treatment works primarily with the spine, however can be used to treat the shoulders, hips and knees
- Chiropractors believe if the structure of the spine is healthy, then the nervous system is healthy
- Expert advice should be expected for low back pain and neck pain
- A primary complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) not usually offered on the NHS
- Often tools are used such as the Activator Method
- Requires 4 years university degree training
- Registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and have their title as a Chiropractor protected by law