While there are some similarities between chiropractic care and physical therapy, they are not the same and, at their most basic level, have two different functions. The role of a chiropractor is to diagnose and provide treatment for disorders in a person’s musculoskeletal system. On the other hand, a physical therapist’s job is to treat an injury to help restore function. While chiropractors treat injuries as well, a physical therapist’s only role is to treat issues caused by injury or disease. In this blog post, Dr. Nathen Horst explains the differences between chiropractic care and physical therapy.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractor’s job is not just to treat the disorder, but also to diagnose and even prevent the disorder. While the spine is the focus of many chiropractors, many diagnose and treat various problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. The disorders that afflict the body may affect the spine, as well as a person’s overall health. Because of the connection between the spine and the spinal cord, disorders in the musculoskeletal system can have a huge effect on the nervous system, causing pain through the body.

The chiropractor will work to make the spine more stable and more functional. Often, an alignment is used to help vertebrae return to their most optimal location. When this occurs, tension is released in the body, which relaxes the muscles and reduces physical stress. The pain that is often associated with a misalignment will be relieved along with the tension.

This work is just as important to the nervous system as it is to the musculoskeletal system, which means that every area and system of the body is affected, as the nervous system controls muscles and organs, right down to their individual cells. Every part and function of the body can be improved when the musculoskeletal system is properly aligned by a skilled chiropractor.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, alternatively, is designed to help protect or develop movement in a joint or part of the body that has been affected by an injury, disease, or condition related to age. A physical therapist will evaluate the current range of motion or function of an area and then provide a series of exercises to help the individual regain the control or function they once had. They focus on many different areas, including improving balance and posture, to helping patients regain general mobility in parts of the body that have lost it.

A physical therapist might be able to treat some of the same general disorders as a chiropractor, but this discipline focuses largely on exercises that help to strengthen and restore motion. A chiropractor, on the other hand, works to correct joint and spine alignment for reduction of pain and overall better health. Both work with orthopedic conditions, can repair dislocations, help with neurological diseases, and help to relieve pain from sports, workplace, or accidental injuries.

Which treatment is right for a patient will depend on that patient’s individual situation and should be discussed with medical professionals in order to better understand which will help to alleviate pain and restore better overall health. Contact Horst Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment.