chiropractic or osteopathy

[Yes I]

Hi,
I have a long standing neck problem which I think may be causing headaches and migraines. I also have intermittent lower back pain.
Both of these conditions are helped by hand reflexology which I do myself.
I feel as though I need something more but I'm confused:

What is the difference between chiropractic and osteopahty?

Which treatment would suit me best?

Love and light

Sulis xx

 

[carson93]

I think it depends on who you see. My experience of a chiropractor was a 5 minutes appointment where he just did spinal manipulation and nothing else three times a week for a month. I ended up being in more pain. Osteopaths usually do muscle work as well.

Having said that, I know people who have very good results with both and I was probably just unlucky with the chirporactor.

Lesley

 

[L0$(M@ Gay and Okay]

I would go to an osteopath every time. Ask around for recommendations for a good one, they are not all the same.

 

[Anne Rages]

Hi Sulis

Sorry to hear about your back and neck pain. I would recommend you go to a physiotherapist.

They do all the types of manipulation and therapies covered by osteos' and chiros' and get really good results. Many are also trained in acupuncture (meridians etc) and they have always helped me!

You also know that they are properly qualified., BSc and State Registered.

Look in the YP. The Physio First award shows a high standard attained.

Iceni

 

[princess like kitty]

Dear Sulis,

Osteopaths and chiropractors are statutorily registered too and many have BSc qualifications.

With regard to Physiotherapists and acupuncture, you should be aware that the majority of physio's practice a western style of acupuncture that is based on trigger points and is used generally for pain relief only. The training is normally very minimal compared to traditionally trained practitioners.

Some osteopaths and chiropractors practice acupuncture too and their training is usually more traditional, some are members of the British Acupuncture Council.

best wishes, Tony

 

[StephenFox]

Sorry but have to put the right the info about physios! I think you will find that they don't do the work that osteopaths do (can't comment on chiropractors) and are not trained in the same way. Our osteopath uses western acupuncture as Tony rightly points out and it is different from traditional Chinese acupuncture. Many people do choose to see a physio and it isn't for me to say whether they are good or not. All I know is that the people who come to our clinic get great results from osteopathy and some have already been down the physio route.

I asked our osteopath today what the actual difference between chiropractic and osteopathy and it isn't that easy to say because not all osteopaths and chiropractors work in the same way and he may well explain it himself. I will let him explain!

You can go to our website for more on osteopathy (and indeed physiotherapy as we also have physios).

 

[DRKNOWITAL2]

My physio uses chinese methods and meridians etc and is very well qualified. She said I was deficient in Ying, and has helped me no end with acupressure etc. Modern physios do lots of manipulations and are adding to their training all the time.

I worked for a big practice for 5 years and have had osteopathy which was helpful too, but lots of people get the wrong impression about physio's.

Iceni

 

[aires69uk OFFICIAL]

Sorry I have to admit that I've been putting this one off. As an osteopath I feel that any answer I give is going to be biased & I feel that the only person that could give any kind of objective answer is someone that has a degree in osteopathy & chiropractice.

Also as Iceni has brought pyhsio's into the equation, then it would need to be someone that has a degree in all three, which is extremely unlikely. It is on my long list of things to do to try write something for our Holistic Centre website, as it is a 'frequently asked question', so I'll post again if/when it's done.

However, the main issue seems to be be helping Sulis resolve her problems.

The most common cause of headaches are caused by an upper neck problem. If migraines are also an issue, then then the symapthetic nerves are involved, so it's likely that the small facet joints at the back of the neck need releasing. This is just the sort of thing that osteopaths & chiropractors do several times a day. Of the relatively few physios that do this (mostly in the private sector), they tend to do it as a last resort (only if they've done extensive post graduate training) & so tend not to be as well practiced.

Other common aggravating factors regarding headaches & migraines could be dehydration & allergies (check NAET link below). [:'(]

A degree in physiotherapy is very much within the 'orthodox medical model'. It is a 3 year degree & they are still awaiting official recognition & protection of title, which is planned for next year. A friend of mine at college was already a physio & said that there was no comparison & the only concession she got was skipping the 1st year.

Osteopaths achieved recognition in '93 & chiropractors in '94 & they are both a 4 year degree & have protection of title. [sm=boring.gif]

Physios also use the word manipulation in a different way, in that they grade them from 1 - 5 & it's a grade 5 manipulation is one that chiros & osteo tend to regard as manipulation. The rest would be regarded as articulation or soft tissue work. Manipulation by the latter is usually reserved for an actual releasing of a joint, but may be a low, medium or high velocity thrust technique. The proverbial 'click'.

With regard to acupuncture - acupuncturists in the UK have yet to get official recognition, but a general rule of thumb is that only those that have done at least a three year course can claim to practice Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM & 5 Element) Acupuncture. Anything else 9 i.e. those that have only done short courses) should be regarded as Western Acupuncture or Dry Needling.

I have studied both, & always explain the difference, as I have great respect for those that are properly qualified in TCM & 5 Element Acupuncture.

Also, I aught to point out that acupuncture is only part of the whole traditional Chinese medical system, that other areas include Chinese herbs, moxibustion, manual therapy & philosophy.

I have worked with physios for 5 years in the NHS, some of which are friends & have of experience chiropractics from discusion & treatment. There is a little more on this issue on my osteopathy web site below, but I would say that it boils down to the individual practitioner.

There's good & not so good amongst all & if the treatment isn't helping, then try another practitioner or profession. That siad, if you have a long term condition, then don't expect a miraclous 'cure' over night. And remember - your health is your responsibility, so don't expect someone to 'fix' your problem for you! - if you've been given advice (i.e. exercise, stretches, posture, etc.), then utilise it.

No doubt some feathers will be ruffled [&:], but I've tried to be objective as I can & welcome any feedback from any colleagues of the above professions in the hope that we can clarify such a contensious issue. [sm=banghead.gif]

Andrew.

 

[Voistikiphete]

you gotta admire someone that can put together such lengthy post at 4 in the morning!!

its a shame we dont have the spare cash to go and visit each sort of practioner to just see what their particular art is, if it suits and if one benefits.

chiropractic and osteopathy are very *grey* areas as they appear to do the same thing. is it easier to say osteapathy work more on bone/ muscle/ whole body things and chiropractic works on spinal/ nerve/ skeletal disorders? thats sort of how i had it explained to me, but having said that, how does an individual know what exactly their complaint is?

i nearly got a job as a receptionist at a chiropractors and he assured me it doesnt hurt! lol i never did get to try it... i also know it was about 35 quid for 15 mins!!! that seems hugely extortionate and rather leeching on folk's pain, which is why most go in the first place.

 

[God eats babies]

Thankyou for all of the information. To update, I've been seeing a McTimoney chiropractor for the last 4 weeks. I've noticed some improvement in my cervical vertebrae but no improvement with my headaches. As these are such long standing problems I have I realise that they'll take some time to fix. I agree with Rosie about the length of time taken per treatment - I'm in there roughly 20 minutes and it costs £28. I charge the same for an hours reflexology. The real point is whether or not the treatment works though, if I see no substantial improvement soon I'll find another therapist. Meanwhile I'm going to see if I can organise some sort of therapy swap with another reflexologist as reflexology has helped me in the past and I find it a more holistic treatment.

Love

Sulis xx

 

[GOiPHONE]

Ah, yes I forgot to mention the issue of cost! []

There is a wide variety in the way all the above (osteopaths, chiropractors & physiotherapists) practice & charge, but I'll put my neck on the line & offer some sweeping generalisations. [sm=hidesbehindsofa.gif]

Osteopaths usually allow 60 minutes for initial consultation & treatment & 30 minutes for follow-up appointments. Fees vary depending on location, average is probably about £35-40 for initial appiontment & £25 for follow-ups. More in London. They usually treat weekly, as the body needs time to adjust & one can 'over-treat'. As well as they renowned joint manipulation they tend to do more soft tissue work to affect a change in the soft tissues, else the joint will often go back to how it was. Also, they typically advise certain exercises, stretches, etc, as appropriate, to actively engage the patient/client in their own care & reduce the need for treatment.

Typically chiropractors run 20 minute appointments & treat more frequently (i.e. 2-3 times a week). In the US it got to the point where Health Insurers had to put a cap on the number of treatments. An osteopath might offer that - this is because simply releasing a joint & doing little to affect a change in the soft tissues, then yes, of course the problem returns. I like to think that this isn't the case in the UK, I don't know, but shorter treatment do suggest this.

Regarding physios - treatment times & fees are more akin to osteopaths. Typically they tend to use more electrotherapy devices for which the evidence of benefit is poor. As a result most do less 'hands on' treatment & very few actually do any joint manipulation in the way that an osteo & chiro would regard. They are often more known for sports injury work & rehabilitation, which is largely due to historical & cultural reasons. It's not unkown for them to charge more if an insurance company is paying. And, of course they are widely available on the NHS.

Appointment times in general [&:]

These are time slots that give some structure to the day & allow us to give an estimated time at which we should be able to see someone. They include time to reflect on the person & problem and time to write up their notes, which is a legal requirement & is done for 'best care'. So what I'm trying to say is a 30 minute appointment doesn't necessarily mean 30 minutes of treatment, advice, etc.

Fees in general []

Degrees in osteopathy & chiropractice are not fully funded by the government, whereas physio is. Osteos ( & I assume Chiros) get only 15% of tuition fees paid, which are roughly £6K a year, plus having to work in clinc during holidays seriously restricts the options for other work to fund yourself.

Also, note that the former are a 4 year, full time degree & the latter a 3 year degree with guaranteed work in the NHS at the end.

I left college in debt to the tune of £20K & 6 years on I'm still paying it off & as such I am still in no position to get a mortgage. [>:]

Consider the sort fees that you are likely to pay to see a doctor privately. Bear in mind that that may or may not have done further study in musculoskeletal medicine or may or may not actually get their hands on you to illicit/diagnose the problem and actually do something about it, then you might consider that the alternatives, that specialise in such things may not be that expensive.

It may be of interest to learn, that at Liverpool Uni, at least, that a degree in medicine has become modular & that anatomy is now an 'optional module'. I learned this last year whilst lecturing to med students, but I'm still trying to get my head around it. [sm=banghead.gif]

So I hope that puts you in the picture of why fees are as they are & you can always shop around. Also, most osteos ( I can't speak for others) will treat at a concessionary rate if asked & in genuine cases of financial insecurity.

Re. Chiropractice

There are two main types. Your standard variety that largely focusses on the spine & spinal manipulation

 

[Bebo]

another early hours post... maybe you are a vampire (muhahahahahaha)!

i understand your point about degrees and debts (my daughter is doing her AS's and we too will be looking at uni's etc and it doesnt bear thinking about!).

having said that, why should the public pay for your study (not you personally, you understand)... but having said that... we pay ludicrous amounts of money to call out plumbers etc, who also prey on people's misery.

you are right about how much one would pay to see a private doctor but then with the NHS (and patience) we do have the alternative of seeing a doctor, whereas, chiros and osteos and physios, to an extent, are not available on the NHS, certainly not here as fas as i know.

thank you for your very detailed posts )

my avatar is rosie rivet. apparently she was used during WW2 to get US women into factories and the like. i was messing about on messenger one day with a mate, looking for stupid pix and i put rosie into google images... up she popped! i like her and here, i find her amusing with everyone elses mystical peaceful symbolic avatars!

 

[smartk99]

Osteopathy every time. Cured my hubbys sciatica, and my aching limbs, also took time and spent a long consultation beforehand. One experience of chiropractor was NOT good and very costly.

Love Gillyxxxxxxxx

 

[just me and my opinion]

Hi there,
I think you have to tackle the problem with a different angle. A chiropractor wil only treat you where you are in pain :ie pain in lower the chiro will push the lumbar vemassageplanetrea in place stop, physio will do the same. You have a find with a body therapist what is causing the neck injury. If you neck is hurting you surely have a lumbar problem and vice versa. Then you have to check if your sacrum is not strained as a pain in the cervical vertabra will cause a pain in the lumbar which will strain the sacrum. So you have to ask yourself which treament you need. Ok Chiro and physio can provide you with a quick temporary relief as they treat pain but if you want to have your body treated from the root cause then go and see an acupuncturist.
regards
bokken

 

[Staggerlee]

but surely thats not what a chiro will say... they will say they can treat the pain and correct the problem.

this is the whole problem i think. unless you really know about such treatments, much will come down to personal choice.

i dont reckon any osteo or chiro would recommend each other, nor any other therapy for that matter (and i am generalising i am sure).

as a reflexologist/ massage therapist, it was stressed to us to know our limitations and refer to a *better suited* therapy if necessary... but i never see much reciprication going on.

 

[vzerquvxinwibteka]

Ooooo Rosie! I think that is a bit unfair about them not recommending us because they can and do. I work with Andrew and he does tell his patients that they will benefit from reflexology, massage, allergy testing, or whatever. We all try to do that in our place. I am naturally biased towards osteopathy because Andrew has given me a lot of treatments and I know a lot of people who see him and he does get good results with the treatment ( blushes of embarassment now probably - sorry). Having said that I had osteopathy before with great results. My only experience of chiropractic is what I have been told by other people and they haven't always got the results. Of course it depends on the therapist, as always, no discipline sticks rigidly to the same stuff, they all have their own ways.

I still say osteopathy!

 

[zeltzin]

i did say i was generalising! you are lucky to be in sharing environment. i do believe we are all supposed to complement each other and work towards recommending and reciprocation.

the chiro practise i nearly got a job with had a reflexologist just starting... they had just lost one. she will be freelance however and the practise manager made no apology for the fact that the chiros did little recommending. the main man's wife was the massage therapist, so i expect she got a bit (in one way or another <w&gt.

 

[graceomally99]

I know in the clinic where I work, we are supposed to refer on to each other, but in practice it rarely happens as they all know that clients' finances are limited and don't want to lose clients to another therapist.

Lesley

 

[Rodina]

Ha ha! Funny..... you naughty girl!

 

[Elsie May]

Did I say 'me' or 'they' Candie????



Lesley