What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an Osteopath?

An osteopath and a chiropractor are two confusing medical practitioners. However, there are three critical differences between these medical professionals. First, a chiropractor is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats spine-related conditions to ensure optimal nerve transition. In case of issues with your spine, like disc herniation, it is time to see a chiropractor. In contrast, an osteopath is an alternative medical practitioner that focuses on the muscular-skeletal system to improve the overall healing system of the body. Therefore, you should see an osteopath if you suffer from headaches or migraines, neck pain, or sit on a desk for more than 8 hours a day. Through soft tissue therapy, an osteopath will diagnose and treat your muscles and other soft tissues to ensure improved general health

A second difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath is based on the method used in treatment. A chiropractor deals with spinal adjustments by the use of techniques that facilitate optimal nerve operation. Some of these techniques include flexion-distraction, Gonstead, extremity manipulation, spinal mobilization, among others. On the other hand, an osteopath is focused on body healing using procedures like injections, medication, or body adjustments.

Finally, there is session variation between a chiropractor and an osteopath. While chiropractic sessions are short and focused, osteopathic sessions are longer as they use holistic approaches. A chiropractor can easily perform spinal adjustments and release the patient. However, an osteopath will need more time to attend to all the patient’s concerns and establish a succinct treatment plan. For instance, if you are struggling with knee or chronic neck pain, an osteopath will start by consulting you to get the history of factors like accidents. Such information will help him or her in the diagnosis of your problem.