Physical Therapy or Chiropractor? Who should I see for my new injury?
Getting injured, especially for the first time, is a terrifying experience. When we
unfortunately suffer a setback, it can be difficult to decide what to do. A quick google
search will tell you to see either a physical therapist or a chiropractor but…what is the
difference?
Both PTs and chiros fall under the same general umbrella of a treatment approach to
relieve pain and improve mobility. The main differences between a PT and a
chiropractor are in the way they achieve these goals.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA),
is a healthcare professional who “helps people improve their movement and physical
function, manage pain, and other chronic conditions, and recover from and prevent
injury and chronic diseases”. Following a thorough evaluation, a physical therapist will
use a combination of manual techniques and exercise prescription to strengthen weak
muscles, to improve movement patterns, to address balance impairments, and to help
decrease the risk of future injuries.
Chiropractor
A chiropractor, as defined by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC), is a “health
profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mechanical
disorders of the musculoskeletal system. There is an emphasis on manual treatments
including spinal adjustments”. A certified chiropractor traditionally focuses more on joint
manipulations and “adjustments” to offer short-term relief.
Which one should I see for my new injury?
There can be many benefits to seeing both physical therapists and chiropractors and
this may depend on your goal. A chiropractor is a great option for someone looking for a
short-term fix and a physical therapist is a great option for someone looking to address
the root cause of the symptoms and to help become more independent in managing
their symptoms and improving their quality of life in the long run.
Please reach out to us at Joint Ventures if you have any questions about who you
should see for your injury, and we would love to help!
Dan Rabinowicz, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Brookline/Allston Clinic