Osteopathy and Chiropractic Have the Same Goal of Healing Pain but the Techniques Differ

Pain management with the help of alternative medicine, such as Chiropractic and Osteopathy, has become quite popular. Since both treatments rely upon drug-free, non-invasive techniques of natural healing pain to maintain movement and mobility and use similar manual healing methods, most people need help understanding the difference between these. Although both techniques treat many of the same conditions, the approaches of the chiropractors at Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine and that of osteopaths are different. 

This article should help you understand what differentiates osteopathy from Chiropractic.

The origin of osteopathy

The 19th-century teachings of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still laid the foundation for osteopathy, which has a profound belief in the body’s self-healing powers. The concept of osteopathy stresses that the body can maintain optimal health only by retaining a musculoskeletal system that remains in perfect harmony. Osteopaths aim to restore the musculoskeletal system’s balance by using various techniques of soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization. The exercise helps alleviate multiple conditions that cause pain and restrict movements. 

Spinal adjustment is at the root of chiropractic treatment

The origin of chiropractic treatment dates back to the late 19th century and was established by Dr. Daniel David Palmer. The chiropractic philosophy revolves around believing that the nervous system is responsible for our wellbeing. Therefore, the spine, which acts as a channel for the distribution of nerves across the body, is central to chiropractors that delve into the relationship between the nervous system and the spine. When the spin loses its alignment due to stress or other distortion, the subluxations or misalignments can upset the body’s balance. Chiropractors address the issues of subluxations through spinal adjustments, unleashing the body’s self-healing powers and enhancing the nervous system’s function. Similarly, physiotherapists focus on restoring movement and function through targeted exercises and manual therapies, supporting the body’s natural recovery process.

The techniques are different

Chiropractic and Osteopathy use different techniques for curing painful conditions and improving movement and mobility. 

Osteopaths consider the body an interconnected system and take a holistic approach to treatment. Their techniques include myofascial release, gentle joint mobilization, and craniosacral therapy. The holistic approach not only takes into consideration the pain area but also the root causes. The comprehensive approach attempts to restore the body’s harmony as a whole to ensure overall wellbeing. Not only will the pain go away, but the treatment will make a patient feel much better in terms of overall health.

On the other hand, spinal adjustments are the focus of any chiropractor. Chiropractors mainly use their hands to apply controlled pressure on various body parts, especially the pain area, and might even use some instrument-assisted techniques to relieve pain. The methods aim at restoring the spine’s alignment that undergoes distortion over time due to aging, illness, or some accident. The spine alignment alleviates the interference of the nervous system and triggers the body’s innate healing abilities for promoting optimal health.

In addition to the holistic approaches of Osteopathy and Chiropractic, exploring various spine procedures can provide additional pathways to pain relief and recovery. Especially for those needing more specialized care, advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery allow for quicker recovery times and less post-operative discomfort. Understanding all available options, including innovative spine procedures, is crucial for anyone seeking long-term solutions to back pain or musculoskeletal disorders.

Osteopathy effectively treats sports injuries, joint problems, and back pain, while Chiropractic treats musculoskeletal disorders like headaches and neck pain. It is important that you go to the right medical practitioner for your healing.