The benefits of non-pharmacological treatments for pain relief are often talked about these days. Do you know the differences between osteopathy and chiropractic and how they can benefit your body? Here they are!
Main differences between chiropractic and osteopathy
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteopathy and chiropractic are referred to as Traditional Complementary Medicine. Although chiropractic and osteopathy manipulate the same structures and use similar manipulative techniques, they are not the same, as each works in specific areas and approaches.
Chiropractic: Hands-on practice
Chiropractic is defined as "practice with the hands". Accordingly, chiropractors use their hands to detect and correct vertebral subluxations (which occur when one or more vertebrae lose their alignment), in order to maintain the nervous system at its optimal level and thus prevent many diseases.
In most cases, chiropractic is applied to back pain sufferers, although it is beneficial to all, as the alignment of the spine restores the flow of information between the brain and the body, allowing the nervous system to function at full capacity.
Chiropractic adjustments involve the specific application of gentle forces to the spine, enabling the body to recover and improve its quality of life.
Basically, while chiropractic helps put the body in the position where it can heal itself, chiropractic adjustments can free the immune system to focus on your health and improve your ability to think, move and act. Compared to many medical treatments, few interventions can relieve headaches the way chiropractic adjustments can, in fact.
In general, chiropractic is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine, with the belief that these disorders affect overall health through the nervous system, and that correcting them will restore vitality to the body.
Osteopathy: study of the human body
Then there isosteopathya branch of alternative medicine based on the study of the human body through observation and palpation to obtain diagnoses and thus be able to carry out massage-based treatments. Its foundation lies in the fact that all pathologies are caused by disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
The osteopaths analyze the structure of the organism to be treated and formulate a diagnosis and treatment to resolve existing problems such as joint pain, sports injuries, postural disorders, post-traumatic pain, chronic sinusitis, vertigo, migraines, headaches, stress, anxiety or digestive problems.
Osteopathy is a method of treating illness based on massage and joint manipulation. It maintains that the body is capable of developing its own remedies against disease, and accepts the therapeutic method and diagnosis of scientific medicine.
Osteopathy is based on the fact that the bone structure of the body is integrally interconnected with the organs, tissues, fluids and joints and that, consequently, anything that affects these elements will affect the whole, giving rise to the various illnesses that will inevitably be reflected in the individual.
Both alternatives, osteopathy and chiropractic, are effective in treating pain. In fact, a recent study by Harvard researchers and Marcer Heath and Benefits, in which they analyze the health and economic impact of chiropractic treatment on the healthcare system, reveals that chiropractic is more effective than other treatment modalities in treating low back and neck pain. While chiropractic focuses more on treating the spine, osteopathy concentrates on all soft tissues, from musculoskeletal to cranial and visceral.
As for the chiropractic part, they recognize that the goal is to correct the body's postural problems, relieve pain and help the body's natural ability.
If you've suffered an injury, an accident or are simply in pain and don't know the cause, it's best to consult a specialist as soon as possible. In Montreal, the Physiobalance Clinic is a health center dedicated to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This health center brings together the best physiotherapistsacupuncturists and osteopaths. Don't hesitate to attend and start healing your body!
