Chiropractor or Physical Therapist: Which One Do You Need?

Aug 18

There is a good chance that you will have to choose between a chiropractor or a physical therapist at some point in your life. Most people can't tell the difference unless they have done some research. This is quite understandable. Both chiropractors and physical therapists can treat problems using non-invasive, holistic, and drug-free methods. They appear to be doing the same thing in slightly different ways. Although there are some similarities, it is not the truth. The difference is clear when it comes to the essence of the matter. Continue reading to learn more.

What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist?

To relieve your pain, the first step is to choose what type of healthcare you want. You need to be able to distinguish between chiropractic and physical therapy in order to make a wise decision.

Knowing the difference between them logically is one thing, but knowing the difference in your body is quite another. It's rare that you feel pain and can pinpoint the root cause. You would be halfway there if you could identify the root cause.

Many of us don't know the difference between joint pain and muscle soreness. There are many ways to determine if you should visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist.

It is important to listen to your body and know the signs of each type. This will help you decide which doctor to visit. Physical therapists focus on improving or restoring movement in relation to muscles. Chiropractors focus on the health of the spine and joints, which can help improve movement. The following guide will help you determine the source of your pain.

Muscle pain is often relieved by rest.
No matter how you move, joint pain can persist.
Often, exercise, and stretching can provide temporary relief for muscle pain.
Joint pain can be made worse by movement and activity.
Muscle spasms are often associated with muscle pain.
Sometimes, joint pain is accompanied by swelling in the affected area.

Everybody's body reacts differently to pain and injury. You may need to seek a chiropractor if you only feel temporary relief from a physical therapist. This is usually a sign of a deeper problem.

Should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist for back pain?

There are many things that can cause back pain. An injury or accident could be the cause of your pain. Pain along the spine can be caused by overuse or misuse of muscles. This central area of the body requires patients to think about what they can do to provide the best care. Here is where the majority of movement originates!

One of these areas may be the source of back pain:

Sacral (area connecting with the pelvis).
Lumbar (lower back).
Thoracic (upper back)
The cervical (neck area) is discussed below.

Spinal decompression therapies can be used to relieve lower and upper back pain. Spine decompression works to relieve the pressure between the vertebrae. Although different physical therapy facilities can provide this type of treatment, it will almost always be part of chiropractic care for back problems.

Some physical therapy facilities may offer spinal manipulation. To promote natural healing, a chiropractor will likely provide more care to the spine. Spinal manipulation is a natural way to align parts of the spine without having to have surgery.

What is the DRS System? The DRS System, a non-surgical disc decompression method, is extremely efficient. This is an alternative to back surgery. Because it doesn't require hospital stays, there's no need for long recovery times. It works!

Should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist after suffering neck pain?

The spinal vertebrae are a major component of neck care. Neck pain can be caused by hundreds of movements or actions, just like back pain. The causes of neck pain can be attributed to posture and cervical alignment (C3-C7).

For some, headaches can also be caused by pressure and pain in the neck. The neck is crucial in supporting the head. Unhealthy postures can lead to unnecessary pain. Chiropractic care can be very beneficial for migraine sufferers, especially in the neck and cervical area.

The modern world is fast-paced and demands intense work, making it difficult to care for the neck properly. People with neck pain may develop from normal activities or work-related injuries. Even the smallest activities can exacerbate a condition once it has developed.

Conditions can become more severe as the body gets older. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you feel pain in any area of your spine. To quickly reduce the long-term effects, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injury.

Some conditions that can cause neck pain include:

Whiplash
Inflammatory arthritis
Herniated discs
Degeneration of the spinal discs
Tech Neck

The cervical spine nerves will alert a patient when something isn't right. Even seemingly small tasks can quickly turn into a source of frustration when neck pain occurs. Because nerves transmit information throughout the body, pain can radiate to other parts of the body.

A care provider must be capable of recognizing and providing safe care. This area of the body should receive the best chiropractic and rehabilitation services.

Should I see a Chiropractor for Sciatica?

Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve experiences pressure from another event in the body. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the hip to the foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in our body and can surprise sufferers of severe pain with its sharp, shooting pain alerts.

One of these causes often causes sciatica:

Herniated discs
Subluxations
Degenerating discs
Stenosis
Lumbar disc bulge
Piriformis syndrome

These conditions can be reduced or eliminated by combining chiropractic care, rehabilitation care, and DRS treatments. As mentioned, the DRS System is a unique decompression therapy that relieves pressure between the spinal vertebrae. A chiropractor or physical therapist may give specific exercises and stretching techniques to reduce sciatic pain.

Should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist for shoulder pain?

Chiropractic care may offer more benefits than people think for shoulder pain. A misalignment in the neck or upper spine can result from one shoulder being out of balance. Nearby joints may try to compensate for an area that is out of balance.

This can lead to further injuries that could have been prevented. For shoulder pain, treatment will include rehabilitation therapy to increase strength and chiropractic adjustments to correct alignment. For proper healing, the shoulder joint and the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround it must be brought into harmony with the rest.

After a car accident, should I see a chiropractor or physical therapist?

When we hear the term "chiropractic" in the same sentence as "car wreck", the term "lawsuit" is often used. The choice of care you need will depend on whether or not lawyers are part of your experience. After life-threatening injuries are ruled out, you can choose between a chiropractor or a physical therapist.

Chiropractic care tends to be more focused on healing the whole body, so it may be better if multiple injuries occur. Some facilities offer comprehensive treatment plans for headaches, back and neck pain, whiplash, and other conditions. Chiropractors will offer rehabilitative therapies. Prices will vary depending on the severity of the condition.

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you believe that you have been injured in a car accident. This will assist with insurance claims and the patient's long-term health. Look for a facility that cooperates with you and other insurance companies.