An osteopath and chiropractor are often confused with each other. They are both manual healing modalities that focus on health and musculoskeletal problems. However, they use different techniques to promote health. But what exactly are the differences between a chiropractor and an osteopath?
And which health care provider is the best fit for you?
What is chiropractic care?
The term chiropractic is derived from the Greek “Geir” and “Prattein. 'Geir' means “hand” and 'Prattein', means “act.” When you put this together it is literally translated, “acting with the hands.”
Chiropractic is a healing method that specializes in keeping the nervous system functioning optimally, specifically by balancing the spine with adjacent joint structures. In particular, it looks at the spine and the effects of nerve disruption around the spine, muscles and joints.
What does a chiropractor do?
A chiropractor works away pain points by applying impulses to the body, manipulating the nervous system and joints. The chiropractor uses manual manipulation which is also called ” cracking.” These treatments are generally painless.
The chiropractor focuses primarily on musculoskeletal pain. These symptoms could be caused by the reduced mobility of the spine.
The chiropractor helps with, among other things:
- - the relief of back, neck and headaches
- - muscle and joint pains
- - pelvic instability and hip pain
- - overall health benefits
- - improved immunity
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy literally means “disease of the bones,” and it is a healing method of treatment. This method looks at the patient's broader lifestyle as a possible cause of symptoms. This involves considering the body as a whole.
The goal of osteopathy is to promote health by restoring the body's original mobility. The osteopath looks for movement blockages, which can be located in the connective tissue of muscles and joints, organs and nerves, among others.
What does an osteopath do?
An osteopath attempts to remove movement restriction through gentle techniques. A diagnosis is made based on a comprehensive discussion of the symptoms and an examination of musculoskeletal mobility. In addition, the osteopath will feel with the hands where there are tensions in the body. Corrective manipulations treat different parts of the body, such as muscles, joints, tendons, organs, surrounding tissues and the skull. In this way, therefore, not only the spot where the complaint is located is treated, but the body as a whole.
What are the differences between an osteopath and chiropractor?
A chiropractor does his work primarily by restoring the function of the nervous system. By keeping this functioning optimally, the body also functions optimally, keeping you in good health or keeping you in good health. Therefore, a chiropractor does not treat symptoms, but gives the body a chance to repair itself.
Osteopathy focuses more on remedying symptoms by focusing particularly on the musculoskeletal system.
Both professionals help you achieve better health, through a different route.
Our practice offers chiropractic-based care because chiropractic focuses on whole health and the entire body. We certainly respect the knowledge and skill of osteopaths, but based on proven results, we offer chiropractic care.