Chiro Vs Physio

[alophysio]

Hi beckyw,

Interesting post

I will lay may cards down first...
1. There are good and bad in every profession
2. My difference with chiros are with philosophy
3. I refer to chiros if my patients want me to.

In essence, traditionally and from what i gather from Chiropractor association websites are that chiropractors are interested in structure and optimal nerve health. Adjustments tot eh spine help with interferences with optimal neural health...forgive me if i am wrong.

I also am led to believe (and have observed) that chiropractic *tends* to be passive - as in the patient gets adjustments whereas physios tend to be active - the patient has to do exercises etc.

I think the truth is someone in between.

Ultimately, i believe that a good physio will have it over a good chiro because physiotherapists manipulate (adjust) joints and have lots of passive treatments but are ultimately the experts at "beautiful movement" - that is combining the treatment of the following systems...
1. Myofascial system
2. Articular System
3. Neural system including motor control in which physiotherapists are the world leaders in research and practice
4. Visceral system - this is more like classic osteopaths but more and more physios are learning about the visceral system and how their function affects fascial pulls etc
5. cognitive/psych system

That is not to say that a chiropractor can't be great at all of the above as well. I feel that the training i have observed that chiros have had do not lend themselves to biomechanical analysis whereas physios have this training as part of undergraduate studies...

Ultimately, i think good chiros and good physios have a lot to offer. I have a couple of chiros i trust and i love to talk to them and we share knowledge - isn't that how it should be?

[beckyw]

absolutely!!!!!! I totally agree that there are good and bad in every profession. Chiros do however take part in a LOT of passive care too. Part of our training is rehabilitation and although I think that is where physios can be very good it is something we do also. I think we have a name (for what ever reason) for manipulating and thats it. Chiropractors are first class manipulators, hence the 5 year training course, not just a post-grad course in SMT afterwards. I run back care exercise classes and I would never say to a pt that I need to see them 3 times a week for 6 weeks, that's unethical and uneccessary.
As for not having biomechanical analysis skills, again, 5 years training and hours and hours of it suggests we are as good as the next profession.

It seems to me that people are very quick to "assume" they know everything about how and what we train in. Manipulations are a very very skilled manouevre and it takes years to perfect. Exercises / rehab and preventative care are all incredibly important for chiropractors and without all of them combined it is impossible to treat someone. I feel some people shouldn't be so judgmental and unless you have done and passed a chiropractic degree will you ever know what we do and don't do.
Additional Comment I forgot:

BTW, "Bad Chiros" are people who tell my patients that i can't help them and they need to see that chiro for 3 times a week for 6 weeks to get better...that is plain bad practice in books!

Same goes for "bad physios" - they put machines on everyone that comes along and never look to see why someone has a problem in the first place! They too see clients x3/wk for 6 weeks.

Patients aren't dumb - they get this feeling that there should be something different...

I never ask a patient to stop seeing a chiro - i simply ask them how the chiro has been going for them. If they i feel that the results will be muddied, i ask them to choose and i assure them i won't be upset if they want to go to the chiro - i am always here for them if it doesn't work out.

I have lots of chiro patients who go to the chiro for their regular adjustments but come to me when their pain is bad.

Go figure!

I agree there are good and bad in every profession, I also say the same as you if my pt is already seeing or due to see a physio. That it is up to them to make the decision on who they see. I think the difference is is that because NHS physios are free for them they have their dedicated 8 sessions then come back. Others stay. I can understand from the pt point of view that they are usually desperate to see anyone who will help and want to try it all.
I still wish we could all work together. No professional "slagging" matches anymore would be lovely. I wouldn't dream of telling someone not to go somewhere or stop going.