Chiropractors or Osteopaths

[ukwill]

Which is better and why?

[Mojooo]

I have seen both for upper back tightness and they both did pretty much the same thing.

The guy I currently see is an osteopath and a massage therapist, so when I go with a tight back he will do the ostepath crunching thing to get me loose (and I can notice the difference straight away) and then he will massage the muscles.

I should add - neither of them claimed they could cure my back - its mainly caused by my slouching and both have given simiale advice on how to avoid it.

[Engineer1]

Read up about Chiropractic, then decide if this sounds like either bks or a good medical idea

wiki said:

Traditional chiropractic assumes that a vertebral subluxation interferes with the body's innate intelligence,[5] a vitalistic notion that brings ridicule from mainstream health care.[6] A large number of chiropractors want to separate themselves from the traditional vitalistic concept of innate intelligence.[7]

here

[LotusMartin]

I would go with Chiropractors

Chiropractors = 22

Osteopaths = 15

Unless the H in Osteopath is on a triple letter score?

Seriously, Chiropractors are more a 'crack your bones' kind of experience, whilst Osteopaths are more about body balancing - but to be honest there are many different types or Osteopaths (cranial for example) and different people find different types work.

[surrey7er]

Hi UKWill,

I've been to see both. I have a long standing bad back that needs attention a couple of times a year.

For me, it boils down to the individual practitioner. I've been to good Osteopaths, and not so good, and I've heard people say the same about Chiro's. My Chiropracter sorts my back out very well indeed, and so i stick with that.

If you are on the lookout for a Chiropracter, I can heartily recommend Lucy at Ashtead Chiropractic.

She's very good indeed...

[MacGee]

Hurt my back doing some heavy squats a couple of weeks ago. L5 out of line and chiro popped it in with other pressure thumb stuff. SI joint trouble too but now feels great. Changed my work chair and back to weights but easing off on the squats. Lots if rowing though. Si my chiro did the truck. I ask tech questions which he's not used to. Keeps him alert!

[ukwill]

Thanks Chaps.

The wife has done something to the top of her back/neck/shoulder area. It's been around 2wks now and she's in quite a bit of pain (at first she thought it was crick so left it but she reckons its got quite a bit worse). She's been to the Chiro here in Epsom twice this week and has another appt tomorrow, but is still really quite bad, so I'm looking around at options/alternatives.

Surrey7er - thanks I might give Lucy a call if tomorrow's appt doesn't help.

[ATG]

What about a physiotherapist?

[ukwill]

ATG said:

What about a physiotherapist?

Her yoga teacher is also a trained physio - she tried first. No joy.

[Mojooo]

Try another physio. I have seen numerous physios and there have been huge variances in knowledge and expertise IMO.

My physio also does a bit of the back cracking - so perhaps look for a physio that is also an osteopath or has such skills...

I would always look to a physio first for joint or muscular problems - but they will more than likely give stretches and exercises as opposed to a physical physical smashing like an osteo.

As I say, an osteopath will probably offer some relief, but a good physio (and may osteopath) should be able to medically work out what is wrong.

[Bill]

It's a continuum from chiropractors who tend just to crack joints to some physios who just give exercises. The middle ground is occupied by physios and osteopaths who do joints, soft tissue work and exercises. And obviously there are good and bad in all groups.

If the chiropractor is having no effect after a few visits then you have to ask whether another discipline would serve you better.

[Engineer1]

Just a quick point but Chiropractors and Osteopaths are both Alternative Medicine, there appears to be medicine that works that is Medicine and its alternative which is less proven.