Chiro vs. Physio, What's the Difference?
Chiro vs. physio is an age old patient debate. Because both professions have a lot of overlap in their scope of practice, it is often confusing for the patient to determine which profession will be best for their condition. A mentor once told me that if chiropractors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths were good at their jobs, there would be minimal difference between the 3 professions. I have taken this to heart and I try to promote my services as a chiropractor as what I can do for my patient, within my scope of practice, that makes me unique... not as a chiropractor but as a health practitioner. If each practitioner focuses on their unique strengths, passions, and abilities within their relative scope of practice, the professions are very similar, and both are highly beneficial for a patient.
Below I will lay out some differences and similarities but in terms of my practice, my goals are to find the source/cause of your pain or dysfunction, use an array of soft tissue and manipulative/mobilization therapies within my clinic visits, and to educate you and progress you to an ACTIVE lifestyle, whatever that may be, with specific rehabilitation aimed at reducing your dysfunction and/or pain. I use my extra and unique certifications of Active Release Techniques® (ART®) and Webster certification to compliment my therapies and place me into the unique markets of having this extra certification in soft tissue technique, along with pregnancy (pre, mid, and postnatal) care.
CHIRO VS. PHYSIO
DIFFERENCES:
"Chiropractors are one of only five classes of health care professionals in Ontario that are able to use the title Doctor, with its accompanying rights and obligations.”- OCA
If becoming certified in Canada, post secondary education is different: Chiropractic has a minimum of 7 years post-secondary (at least 3 years worth of course credits in undergraduate education and at least “...four years at an accredited chiropractic institution, receiving more than 4,200 hours of specialized clinical training.”- OCA
"Physiotherapists must complete a university degree in an accredited physiotherapy program. In most parts of Canada, university physiotherapy programs are at a Master’s level education.”- OPA
Chiropractors cannot only order x rays for their patients, they have extensive training in x ray taking and reading.
CHIRO VS. PHYSIO
SIMILARITIES:
Both professions are regulated under the Regulated Health Practitioner’s Act (RHPA)
Both practitioners have the ability to diagnose a patient
Both use a drug-free approach
Traditionally physiotherapy is more rehabilitation based using a mixture of manual therapy and modalities, Chiropractic is more manual therapy based (with a heavy focus on spinal and extremity manipulation)
Though both physiotherapy and chiro have unique scopes of practice, there is a lot of intermixing between the techniques we utilize, and this usually requires a thorough understanding of the types of therapies your individual health practitioner provides.
"Physiotherapy treatment can include therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrical modalities such as TENS or ultrasound, and work hardening. A physiotherapist promotes independence. Emphasis is placed on what you can do for yourself and on education to prevent future injuries or disability.”- OPA
This exact sentence from the Ontario Physiotherapy Association can relate to what chiropractors also do. It is important to note that acupuncture in both professions is an extra certification that the individual practitioner must obtain.
For references and/or other beneficial sources on this topic, including extra information on scope of practice and authorized acts, please visit the following links!
