What Is The Difference?
They key similarity between the two is that both disciplines view the body as one, with each area inter-connected and having an impact on the other. Both practices were founded in the late 19th Century. Osteopathy focuses primarily on blood circulation and bone structures, while chiropractors focus on the spine.
Philosophy And Practice
Osteopathic assessment carefully considers the blood flow of patients at all times. While also believing that joints and bones are key parts of the treatment and practice, osteopaths do not work directly on bones, merely using them and joints as levers to improve motion and mobility of the musculoskeletal body system. Osteopathic treatment looks to aid the body’s self-recovery patterns through these methods.
Chiropractic methods of treatment differ from osteopathy. While adhering roughly to the same set of principles and beliefs, chiropractors focus on the spinal column as the central area for dealing with patients’ pain and discomfort. Spinal vertebrae can become displaced and unaligned, which is the trigger for pain and discomfort throughout the body.
Both osteopaths and chiropractors look to promote self-healing throughout the body by dealing with key bodily functions and systems. By focusing on certain areas they can impact on the whole body thus fulfilling their philosophy and beliefs around the body being inter-connected. These philosophies and treatment practices mean that both are an effective source of treatment for a number of conditions, not just those related to the back, bones and joints.
Impact On Patients: Which Is Best
The accurate answer is simply that it differs depending on the patient. Osteopathy is seen more as an alternative treatment, whereas chiropractic treatment is nearer to traditional medical and clinical methods.
Chiropractic treatments hold an advantage over osteopathy as they tend to be gentler and shorter, as they only focus purely on the spinal area. Treatments can also be more focused and accurate as they rely on medical evidence such as scans and x-rays in order to be as focused as possible on the problem. While osteopathy can definitely be effective, it is not something which is necessary for everyone, particularly older patients whose bodies may not be able to withstand the at times vigorous force with which osteopaths carry out their practice.
In summary, there are no comparative studies to suggest that either form of treatment is better than the other. It is important to be aware of the differences before deciding which option to go for. If possible, it is a good option for ask for the opinions of other people who have consulted with physical pain therapists in the past. Try to understand what kind of experience you can expect for each type of treatment, and chose a practitioners with the best references.
The Active Health Clinic is a Chiropractor Bath, UK group of health care professionals who specialise in solving your aches and pains.