Chiropractic, Osteopathy, and Physiotherapy
What's the Difference and Which is Right for You?
When it comes to managing pain, recovering from injury, or improving your mobility, you've probably come across terms like chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy. While these therapies may overlap in some areas, each has its own approach, training, and unique benefits. Understanding the differences can help you make informed decisions about your health.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a hands-on therapy that focuses primarily on the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions—especially those related to joint restriction, back pain, and nerve irritation.
Core Techniques:
- Spinal and joint adjustments
- Postural advice
- Rehabilitative exercises
- Soft tissue work
Benefits:
- Reduces back and neck pain
- Improves spinal mobility
- Can help relieve headaches and nerve-related symptoms
- Focuses on restoring the body's natural
Chiropractic is particularly well known for using gentle, precise adjustments to restore movement and support the body's self-healing abilities.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach to treatment, addressing the musculoskeletal system along with how it interacts with circulation, nerves, and internal organs. Osteopaths use a wide range of hands-on techniques and are trained to treat a broader variety of conditions, including digestive and respiratory issues.
Core Techniques:
- Joint mobilisations and manipulations
- Stretching and massage
- Cranial osteopathy (very gentle techniques for the head and body)
- Lifestyle and postural advice
Benefits:
- Holistic focus—considers how different systems in the body work together
- Effective for chronic pain and tension
- Can support overall wellbeing, not just musculoskeletal health
Osteopathy is often chosen by people who want a more generalised or integrative approach to care.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement and function following injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. It is widely used in both rehabilitation and injury prevention using exercise-based rehab and sometimes combining hands-on therapy..
Core Techniques:
- Customised exercise programmes
- Manual therapy and joint mobilisations
- Electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound, TENS)
- Movement re-education and functional training
Key Benefits:
- Ideal for post-surgical rehab and sports injuries
- Helps manage chronic conditions like arthritis or stroke recovery
- Builds strength, flexibility, and endurance
Physiotherapists often work in hospitals, sports clinics, and private practices, using evidence-based techniques to get people moving again safely.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Choose chiropractic if your main concern is comfort, spinal alignment, nerve irritation, or joint restriction—especially if you're experiencing back pain, neck pain, or headaches.
Osteopathy is great if you want a holistic, whole-body approach that looks beyond just muscles and joints, or if you have more general symptoms.
Physiotherapy is ideal if you're recovering from surgery or injury, need structured rehabilitation, or want support managing a long-term condition.
In many cases, these therapies can complement each other. It's not uncommon for people to combine chiropractic care with physiotherapy exercises or see an osteopath for more general wellbeing alongside chiropractic treatment.
Still Unsure? I Can Help.
If you're not sure which approach is right for you, we're happy to advise. We'll assess your symptoms, goals, and preferences to help you find the most suitable path to better movement and lasting relief.