Choosing between an osteopath and a physiotherapist can be confusing. Both professionals help with pain and injuries, but they do it in different ways. Understanding how they work can help you choose the best option for your health.
What Are Osteopathy and Physiotherapy?
Osteopathy and physiotherapy are treatments that improve how your body moves and help reduce pain. But they each have their own way of doing things.
Osteopathy
- Osteopaths believe that your body is one large, interconnected system. They are evidence-based experts in soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments), as well as back, neck, and joint conditions. They also study the anatomy and physiology of other body systems and common medical conditions. They are able to look at how different parts of your body may affect the reason for your pain, discomfort or lack of movement. For example, if you have neck or shoulder pain, they might also check how your spine, hips, and pelvis are working, as well as examine your nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular symptoms. Not only does this look for interconnected issues and the actual cause of a complaint, but it also helps to rule out anything sinister.
Being specialists in manual therapy, i.e. massage, stretching, and joint mobilisations, Osteopaths largely use their hands to treat problems, often with a focus on the spine’s peripheral joints, e.g. shoulder and muscles. This hands-on approach helps align the body, which can reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve joint movement. The treatment will often be supported by home care advice and a rehab program.
Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapists tend to focus more directly on the area where you’re hurt. If you’ve twisted your ankle or have knee pain, they’ll primarily work on that spot to help it heal and get stronger. Their treatment plan for you might include some manual therapy alongside lifestyle adjustments and exercises to help you recover.
- These exercises might involve stretching, strengthening, or practising specific movements. Physiotherapists might also use treatments like applying heat or cold or using machines that provide electrical nerve stimulation or ultrasound. These treatments can help to improve musculoskeletal health and prevent future injuries.
Key Differences Between Osteopathy and Physiotherapy
Both osteopaths and physiotherapists are well-trained and highly qualified and want to help you feel better, but they do it in different ways. Let’s look at some of these key differences to help you decide which one might be better for you.
Whole Body vs. Specific Area:
- Osteopaths use a tailored whole person-centred approach. They examine the entire body. They think that a problem in one part can cause problems in other parts. For example, if you have chronic pain, such as spinal or hip pain, they might also explore related areas like your posture or how your soft tissues are doing to find the underlying cause. This means they consider the whole body during assessment and examination to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
- Physiotherapists, however, usually focus on the exact spot where you’re feeling pain and, at times, the area immediately above and below. For example, if you hurt your knee, a physiotherapist will work on strengthening the muscles around it to help it heal faster. Like Osteopaths, they use evidence-based practice to inform their treatment of your injury and help you avoid getting hurt again. The physiotherapist’s in-person treatment focuses on the problem area, with the treatment being more exercise-based and less hands-on.
Treatment Methods:
- Osteopaths mostly use their hands during treatment. Techniques like manual manipulation, spinal manipulation techniques, and osteopathic manipulations help align the body and improve function. This hands-on approach can be relaxing and quickly relieve pain.
Osteopaths might also give you advice about lifestyle, posture, or exercises to help you manage your condition outside of treatment sessions. Their treatment can address a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including tendon injuries and workplace injuries.
- Physiotherapists focus more on exercises but can include hands-on treatment as well. The exercises help strengthen the muscles around the injured area and improve flexibility. They are more likely to use machines like ultrasound or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and promote healing.
Both osteopaths and physiotherapists might also incorporate dry needling or Taping into your treatment sessions.
Training and Regulation:
- In the UK, both osteopaths and physiotherapists must follow strict rules and be officially registered. Osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOSC). They undergo at least four years of full-time training, which covers a wide range of subjects like anatomy, how the body works, and how to treat different kinds of pain. Their training includes hands-on practice with real patients, often in a private practice setting.
- Physiotherapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Their training is typically a three-year degree program, which includes intense training in clinics and hospitals, where they help people recover from injuries like ankle pain, foot pain, and spinal injuries. Physiotherapists also learn how to treat other problems, like respiratory conditions, and how to educate patients about managing pain.
Both Osteopathy and Physiotherapy are protected Titles in the UK. They have to be qualified, DBS checked, insured, and registered with their regulatory body. Anyone not meeting this criteria is breaking the law and can be prosecuted.
Which Therapy is Right for You?
Choosing between an osteopath and a physiotherapist depends on what kind of help you need and the treatment approach that suits you best.
It’s also essential to think about what makes you feel most comfortable. Some people like an osteopath’s hands-on, whole-body approach, while others appreciate the structured exercise programs provided by physiotherapists. It’s okay to try one type of treatment; if it doesn’t work for you, try the other. Both osteopaths and physiotherapists are skilled professionals who can help you achieve better health.
Whichever practitioner you choose, do make sure they are registered with their regulatory body. A therapist able to use machines or perform osteopathic or physiotherapy techniques does not make them an osteopath or physiotherapist, and their training is likely to be over a few weekends rather than over many years.
Osteopath in Croydon
If you live in Croydon and are considering osteopathy, you might want to visit an Osteopath in Croydon. They work on the source of your pain to boost your overall health. For a specific injury, an osteopath can provide a treatment plan customised to your needs, focusing on long-term pain management and improving your physical function.
Making Your Choice
Both osteopathy and physiotherapy offer valuable treatments for pain and injury. The right choice for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Osteopaths focus on the whole body and consider how different parts are connected, using a variety of techniques to enhance your overall well-being.
Physiotherapists, meanwhile, target specific areas with a range of treatments designed to help them heal and strengthen. With these differences in mind, you can now choose the therapy that suits you best.
Remember, both osteopaths and physiotherapists share the same goal: to help you feel better and live a healthier life. Visiting an osteopath or physiotherapist can significantly boost your health and well-being.