Comparison Of Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and Podiatry

There is much overlap between all of these disciplines and inevitably there tends to be a fair bit of prejudice when making comparisons depending upon who is doing it!

All 4 disciplines require degreee level qualification and are regulated. Osteopathy and chiropractic are both governed by their own act of parliament and each have their own regulatory body - General Osteopathic Council (COsC) or General Chiropractic Council (GCC). Physiotherapy and Podiatry are regulated by an umbrella organisation - Health Professions Council (HPC) which regulates a range of different therapies including arts therapists, clinical scientists, dieticians etc

Osteopathy vs Chiropractic

Osteopathy and Chiropractic tend to be considered similar as they both developed in the same area of America (Kansas). The modern day therapies in the UK (note it is different in the US) have a great deal in common. Both treat musculo-skeletal/biomechanical problems (i.e. backs, necks, feet, hips, knees etc) and the underlying causes. This requires thorough evaluation of the whole skeletal frame and it's posture.

The main differences lie in treatment styles. Osteopaths, having completed a thorough examination and arrived at a diagnosis, use a range of techniques including gentle soft tissue techniques (massage, stretching, muscle energy, inhibition etc) through gentle joint mobilisation, through to the more powerful manipulation known as high velocity thrust or HVT. There is also cranial osteopathy which is a very different subtle and gentle technique. Each session with an osteopath would typically be 45 minutes for the first treatment and consultation and 30 minutes for each follow up. In addition to treatment there will aslo be advice on lifestyle issues, injury avoidance, posture and exercises given.

Chiropractors tend to work using more exclusively high velocity thrusts. This enables them to work more quickly and each session may only be 10 to 15 minutes of treatment.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in the uk is largely carried out within the NHS. Much of the work is post-operative and relies heavily on exercise therapy. Additionally physiotherapists often use electrotherapy (ultrasound, tens etc)

Podiatry/Chiropody

In the UK the terms chiropody and podiatry are interchangeable. Up until a few years ago, chiropodists specialised in the treatment of foot skin conditions (i.e. corns and callouses etc) and toe nails. In recent years the name has been changed to podiatry (although many still prefer to use the term chiropody) and the treatment of foot biomechanical conditions have been added in.