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‘Should I consult with a physiotherapist or chiropractor?’

You are most likely to find both under the same roof at a physiotherapy clinic. 

Both are quite sought-after disciplines in the healthcare industry. 

Both help manage muscle stiffness and pain. Physiotherapists and chiropractors acquire expertise through years of education and training. 

Yet, their approaches might be different. 

So, let’s clear the air about whether you should consult with a physiotherapist or chiropractor. 

Physiotherapist or Chiropractor? What is The Better Treatment Option?

Both physiotherapists and chiropractors can help you achieve your health goals. 

Their area of expertise is, however, different. 

Who is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist is a specialist in human body movement. They study different body movement patterns and the functionality of joints. That means, if you are unable to move due to pain or injury, you should consult with a physiotherapist. 

The goal of a physiotherapist is to help you achieve the highest level of movement possible. They apply certain techniques and exercises to return you to full function. 

Who is a chiropractor?

Chiropractors use a hands-on approach to manipulate certain parts of the body and ease your pain. In other words, a chiropractor promotes the natural healing ability of your body through patient-centric chiropractic care. 

The goal of a chiropractor is to treat your musculoskeletal and nervous systems. 

Chiropractors assess your injuries and use techniques such as spinal manipulation to reduce your pain. 

When do you need physiotherapy?

• Physiotherapy is the right treatment option for you if you:
• Experience pain, especially during movement 
• Can perform a very limited movement
• Are recovering after a surgery 
• Want to improve your range of motion 
• Need to build your strength 

When do you need chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is a better treatment choice if you are suffering from chronic:

• Pain in the back, neck and shoulders 
• Spinal problems 
• Joint pain and inflammation 
• Headaches 

Physiotherapy or chiropractor for back pain?

This is where the real differences between physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment come into play. 

The spine. 

Physiotherapy is about assessing, diagnosing and treating movement-related problems. 

Chiropractic care focuses, especially on treating spinal problems. You will often hear the terms “spinal adjustments” or “treatment of afflictions to the spine” when it comes to the benefits of chiropractic care. 

Now back pain can occur due to spinal misalignment. It can also happen because of a musculoskeletal injury. The source of the injury determines whether you need physiotherapy or chiropractic care. 

You may need physiotherapy for musculoskeletal injuries, whereas chiropractic care for nervous system injuries. 

Physiotherapy vs Chiropractic Care | Which One Is Right For You?

Physiotherapy clinics often provide both services under one roof. All you have to do is book an appointment first. Depending on your injury, the professional recommends whether you need a physiotherapist or chiropractor or both. 

At Physiotherapy First, we have appointed experienced physiotherapists and chiropractors to take care of your health and well-being. Our team listens to your health concerns and guides you thoroughly throughout the recovery process. 

Chiropractic treatment is therapeutic. It helps you recover from pain in the muscles, bones and joints. Whether you have posture problems or movement issues, a chiropractor can help you out. In short, chiropractors treat conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Some people consult with chiropractors to deal with arthritis, while others may need relief from headaches. 

When should you book an appointment with a chiropractor?

Let’s find out. 

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The excruciating neck pain has been a bother for quite some time now. You finally decide to visit a chiropractic clinic for an adjustment to end the pain. After the first session, however, you feel worse. Thoughts like “Does chiropractic care even work?” “Is there something seriously wrong with your body?” “Will the pain ever go?” pop up in your head.

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Is it wise to visit chiropractors in Brampton for lower back pain treatment?

Does chiropractic treatment hurt? 

How does the chiropractor perform the lower back adjustment? 

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A chiropractic adjustment is mainly about spinal or joint manipulation. The chiropractor uses their hands to move, massage, apply pressure, adjust and make other movements to manipulate the affected areas and correct your body’s alignment. But that’s not the only reason people visit Brampton’s chiropractic clinics.

Role of Chiropractic Adjustments in Maintaining Overall Wellness

Chiropractic adjustments come into play when there’s musculoskeletal pain anywhere in your body. Chiropractors can treat you efficiently if you are experiencing pain in the jaws and shoulders or elbows and wrists. In fact, a chiropractor is capable of helping you with stress, anxiety, chronic pain and whatnot!

Sounds unbelievable?

Here is how chiropractic adjustments take care of your overall health and wellness:

1. Involves but is not limited to back pain management

Needless to say, chiropractic adjustments are important for back pain treatment. But, it is equally effective in treating pain in other areas too. The areas may include elbows, hips, shoulders, ankles and knees.

A chiropractor manipulates and improves the mobility of the affected joint. Thus, it is an excellent treatment for limited movement conditions. You can get rid of the pain. Also, it improves your range of motion efficiently.

2. Enhances immunity

Your nervous system regulates the immune system. So when the spine is hurt, it tends to misalign the nervous system, affecting your overall immunity.

How do chiropractic adjustments strengthen your immune system?

• A proper spinal alignment is important for the immune system and nervous systems to communicate efficiently. Chiropractors align the spinal column so the communication pathway is clear.
• The immune system can deteriorate if you have the wrong mindset. On the other hand, chiropractic care changes your mindset for good regarding health and wellness. It lets you feel better and healthier without surgeries or medications.
• Studies have shown that chiropractic care tends to increase the antibody levels of the body. The more antibodies our body creates, the quicker we are able to heal from injuries.

Chiropractic adjustments restore the functioning of your nervous system. Consistent sessions facilitate the normal working of the cells and improve the immune system.

3. Reduces stress and anxiety

The spine can both activate and deactivate the nervous system. That means it is possible to manage the nervous system by taking care of the muscles surrounding the spinal column. This is where chiropractic adjustments come into play. Chiropractic adjustments manipulate the spine, soothe the nervous system and release muscle tension. In other words, it helps reduce stress and anxiety and brings relief from various forms of physical pain.

Misalignment of bones in the spine and neck can cause stress. So, the chiropractor adjusts the alignment and arranges the bones back in the right order. This releases the tension held in muscles and bones, resulting in instant relief.

4. Improves digestion

Sounds absurd, right? How could chiropractic adjustments have anything to do with digestion? Well, it actually has a considerable part to play in digestion.

The nerves in your spine regulate the stomach functions. The nerves may send wrong signals to the brain if the spine is misaligned. These signals can result in heartburn, gas and acid reflux. Chiropractic care restores the optimal alignment of your spine and eases stomach problems.

5. Boosts your range of motion and balance

A limited range of motion can make it extremely difficult for you to do even the simplest daily activities. For example, you may feel excruciating pain while picking something off the floor or wearing shoes if the range of motion is restricted.

The spinal manipulations and alignments involved in chiropractic care put the joints and bones in their right position. Once they are in the position they are supposed to be, it improves flexibility and range of motion.

Final Thoughts,

Chiropractic adjustments have more to them than treating posture problems, spinal misalignments and physical pain. Consistent chiropractic sessions can reduce stress, improve your range of motion, strengthen your immunity, and much more. You don’t have to be in pain to visit a chiropractic clinic. All you need is the will to live healthily, and the chiropractors take care of the rest.

Looking for a Chiropractic Clinic in Brampton?

Make the most of chiropractic adjustments with experienced chiropractors by your side at Physiotherapy First. We assess your problem thoroughly to provide you with an effective treatment plan. So have a word with our chiropractors to begin your venture to a healthy lifestyle efficiently.

Though physiotherapy and chiropractic care share some similarities, their approaches are quite different. Physiotherapy, for instance, facilitates pain-free movement while a chiropractor provides pain relief and spine alignment.

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Doctors of chiropractic, called ‘chiropractors’ are spine, muscle, joint and nervous system, experts. Every chiropractor receives at least six to seven years of post-secondary academic and clinical education. They are trained in how to evaluate, diagnose, recommend and deliver a treatment plan that manages issues within these systems, according to your preferences. A chiropractor’s education also includes courses in radiology, pain management, prescribed exercise and rehabilitation, among others.

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