Two professions often come to mind when it comes to managing pain and improving health through back manipulation: osteopathy and chiropractic care.
Choosing between an osteopath vs. chiropractor can feel a bit like having to navigate through fog. Both osteopaths and chiropractors focus on manual, hands-on treatments and believe in the body’s natural ability to heal itself. They treat various musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches, often striving for a drug-free approach to managing pain and improving function.
So, what makes them different? There are a few things we’ll go through that set them apart in terms of philosophy, techniques, and treatment focus.
Then, once you understand the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor, you’ll be better able to make an informed decision about which is best suited for your specific needs.
What Does an Osteopath Do?
To understand the osteopathy vs. chiropractor debate, we first have to answer to the question “what does an osteopath do?”
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that focuses on the health of the entire body holistically rather than targeting only the symptoms and surface-level elements of the problem. Osteopaths work with the body's musculoskeletal system to access the rest of the body’s systems holistically.
Education: Most osteopaths in Canada complete a 4-5 year program in osteopathic manual practice or osteopathic manual therapy offered at private colleges or institutes. In the US, Osteopaths are typically trained as physicians with a specialization in their later years and residency in Osteopathy. Both programs usually include extensive hands-on clinical training.
Professional membership: In Canada, most osteopaths join professional associations like the Canadian Federation of Osteopaths (CFO) or provincial associations.
When it comes to their actual practice, osteopathic practitioners perform many different techniques, a portion of which include:
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Joint articulation
- Muscle energy techniques
- Visceral manipulation (gentle manipulation of internal organs)
- Cranial osteopathy (gentle manipulation of the skull bones)
Before, during, and after sessions, they may also provide advice on your posture, exercise, and lifestyle to support overall health and prevent future issues.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractic care primarily focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system and how this relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
Chiropractors believe that misalignments in the spine can interfere with the body's natural ability to heal itself. Thus, their practice consists mainly of various techniques on and near the spine, with the most common being:
Spinal manipulation (also known as chiropractic adjustment)
Mobilization
Soft tissue therapy
Exercise prescription
Electrical stimulation
The main goal of chiropractic treatment is to reduce pain, improve functionality, and educate on how to improve your health through exercise, ergonomics, and other therapies for back pain.
Chiropractors undergo specialized training focused on the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. While they do not prescribe medication or perform surgery, they are trained to recognize when these interventions might be useful for pain relief and flexibility.
Similarities Between Osteopaths and Chiropractors
Osteopaths and chiropractors do share some similarities, which is likely why people are often considering treatment between them. For example, they both:
- Focus on manual, hands-on treatments.
- Believe in the body's ability to heal itself.
- Treat a variety of musculoskeletal issues, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
- Aim for a drug-free approach to managing pain and improving function.
But, there are many differences, which are important to consider when choosing between them.
Differences between Osteopaths and Chiropractors
From the above similarities, much of what the two professions do will appear quite similar. However, there is more to the osteopath vs. chiropractor debate, as there are several key differences we can look at:
- Philosophy: Osteopaths take a whole-body approach, believing all body systems are interconnected. Chiropractors focus primarily on the spine and its effects on the nervous system, giving them a more narrow treatment method.
- Techniques: While both use manual therapies, osteopaths have a larger variety of techniques and styles at their disposal, depending on your preferences. Chiropractors focus on spinal manipulation and adjustments.
- Treatment Focus: Osteopaths treat a wider range of conditions, including digestive issues and migraines. Chiropractors, on the other hand, typically focus more exclusively on musculoskeletal issues, particularly those related to the spine.
- Approach to pain: Chiropractors can sometimes provide more immediate pain relief through the ‘shock’ of getting adjustments. Osteopathic treatment also provides some immediate relief, but overall tends more towards a long-term, holistic approach to managing pain.
Chiropractor or Osteopath for Lower Back Pain?
One common question is whether to see a chiropractor or osteopath for lower back pain. First, both professions can effectively treat lower back pain. However, there are key differences in their approach you may want to be aware of:
Chiropractors provide quick relief through spinal adjustments, which are especially effective for acute lower back pain. However, many people report the pain coming back just a few days or a week after their session. Therefore, it is not as effective for chronic lower back pain.
Osteopaths take a more holistic approach to the matter, examining a wider range of other body parts and bodily systems that might be contributing to your lower back pain. They typically will use a combination of spinal manipulation, soft tissue work, and postural advice to address the issue.
Generally, you will not feel as much immediate relief after a session, but it is more effective in more cases for the long-term relief of lower back pain.
Choosing Between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor
Here’s a short list of factors you may want to consider when choosing between an osteopath and a chiropractor:
Your Specific Condition: A chiropractor might be more appropriate if you have a spine-specific issue. Otherwise, osteopaths can access a wider range of techniques to treat different conditions.
Your Preferences: An osteopath may be the better fit if you prefer a more holistic approach that includes dietary and lifestyle advice. However, a chiropractor is worth looking into if you enjoy the powerful yet temporary pain relief of spine or joint issues.
Your Comfort Level: Chiropractic adjustments can be more "intense" and often involve cracking sounds, which some people find uncomfortable. Osteopathic techniques are often gentler, with a broader range of options for different persons’ comfort levels.
Availability and Cost: Depending on where you live, one type of practitioner might be more readily available or more likely to be covered by your insurance. Be sure to check beforehand and take advantage of what works best for your situation.
The Importance of Credentials
Regardless of your choice, we highly recommend you check to ensure your preferred practitioner is licensed. Don’t be afraid to ask about their qualifications politely, and during an initial consultation or phone call, you can ask about their experience and approach to treatment.
Remember, it’s your body in the end. You should feel comfortable with your practitioner and their approach. If something doesn't feel right, seeking a second opinion or trying a different type of practitioner is okay too.
Conclusion
For most people deciding between an osteopath vs. chiropractor, an osteopath is likely the better choice to look into first. The evidence backing their treatments is stronger overall and they are accredited more widely across various medical institutions.
The difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor lies primarily in their philosophy and approach to treatment, with osteopaths taking a more holistic view and chiropractors focusing more specifically on the spine and nervous system.
Some people benefit from seeing both types of practitioners, so there’s no harm in trying each and seeing how you feel.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Always prioritize open communication with your healthcare providers, and you should receive the best care for your needs.