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Osteopath vs Chiropractor: What is the Difference? (London Guide)
Written by: James Gill BOst GOsC 6039. Registered Osteopath, Founder & Clinic Director
Medically Reviewed: Lauren Egginton MChiro GCC 06282, Registered Chiropractor. Specialist in Pregnancy, Paediatric Chiropractic & Functional Rehabilitation | London.
Confused about whether you need an Osteopath or a Chiropractor? You are not alone.
It is the most common question we get asked at our London clinics. Whether you’ve tweaked your back picking up a parcel in Stratford or woke up with a stiff neck in Canada Water, knowing which specialist to book can feel overwhelming.
While both professions treat musculoskeletal pain, back issues, and joint stiffness, their philosophies and treatment styles differ.
At Bodytonic Clinic, we are in a unique position: we understand both. Because we provide a multidisciplinary approach to pain relief, we can give you an honest, unbiased comparison to help you book the right appointment for your body.
The “Cheatsheet”: Which one should I book?
If you are in a rush, here is the quick answer:
- Consider an OSTEOPATH if: You have generalised stiffness, repetitive strain from office work, or pain that feels like it involves muscles, circulation, and joints combined. Osteopaths look at the “Whole Body” mechanics.
- Consider a CHIROPRACTOR if: You have acute neck or back pain, specific spinal misalignment, or prefer “adjustments” (clicking) to improve joint mobility and nervous system function.
Still unsure? Don’t worry. Our initial assessments in London are designed to triage your pain. If you book with one specialist and we believe the other approach is better for you, we will refer you internally immediately.
While primarily, both osteopaths and chiropractors (osteopath vs chiropractor) treat pain areas within the body, the nature of their practices differ in a few ways. Both practitioners use osteopathy discovery sessions that cater to more than just bone and joint pains. In fact, professional osteopaths also treat a variety of functional health issues such as respiratory or digestive disorders. Both use their understanding of the nervous and blood circulation systems within the body to influence other systems within the body, enabling them to treat several diagnosed medical conditions, such as asthma, stress, digestive disorders, period pain, migraine among many others.
The above description may suggest osteopaths and chiropractors work in similar ways. After all, both the specialists use observation and touch to determine the course of the treatment. However, the major difference between the two is that while osteopaths depend on physical examination of the patients, chiropractors rely on more advanced diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, MRI scans, blood tests, and urine tests. If an osteopath feels that a patient is in need of further examination after a physical diagnosis, they may refer the patient to a specialist.
Prices for osteopathy and chiropractic treatment
Not sure which treatment is right for you? Speak to our clinical triage team first with a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll assess your needs and guide you toward the right specialist before you book. Book a Free Phone Call →
Osteopaths can help with
Osteopaths are trained to develop a highly sensitive touch, which they use to find and identify problem areas within the body. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to diagnose health problems within the body, and treat them with minimally invasive procedures.
At Bodytonic Clinic, our osteopaths specialise in developing an in-depth understanding of the body’s musculo-skeletal system. Well being and proper functioning of the musculo-skeletal system is extremely important for the well being of other critical systems within to body, such as the respiratory and digestive systems. Osteopaths promote efficiency within these systems, allowing the body to naturally heal and restore normal function. Osteopathic treatments are incredibly versatile, and can be customised to suit the needs and conditions of different patients, making them suitable for all members of a family. An Osteopathic treatment can be used to treat problems like:
- Nerve pain (e.g Sciatica Sciatic Pain)
- Muscle spasms, strains, cramp & ligamentous sprains
- Hand, elbow and wrist pain, including tennis elbow
- Neck & shoulder pain inc. frozen shoulder
- Osteoarthritis (Degenerative condition)
- Facet joint irritation (postural problem)
- Many different Sporting injuries
- Foot, Hip pain & Knee Pain
- Upper back pain, Back & low back pain
- Joint pain aches and pains
- Different types of Pregnancy related problems and symptoms
- Post-surgery help and rehabilitation
- Tendonitis – Tendons are strong, fibrous, flexible, bands of body tissue that connect bones to muscles
- Fibromyalgia – Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which has widespread pain and can cause fatigue.
- Inability to be able to relax and also stress
- Painful Rheumatic pain
- Muscular pain and discomfort
- Symptoms of poor circulation – Circulatory problems
- Headaches, Migraines & Digestive problems
*FREE Discovery Consultation Sessions
Chiropractor or osteopath? Body pain can be a great cause of discomfort for anyone. Our dedicated professional osteopaths can treat the same with minimum hassle.
Osteopathy can be a very effective healthcare system that uses the understanding of the musculo-skeletal system to treat pain within the body. Osteopaths use stretching, massaging, and joint manipulation techniques which can reintroduce the body into a balanced state. Our musculo-skeletal system, which includes ligaments, joints & connective tissue, is connected to all systems of the body and has direct influence on the functioning of the body. Osteopathy recognises these links and the functioning of the body to diagnose health issues and treat them.
Neck, Shoulder pain and / or Stress
Pain in the neck is a common problem in people of all ages. In lots of cases, the underlying cause is a more serious medical problem, which often goes undetected. If the underlying cause is not a health issue, and the patient is suffering from non-specific neck pain, it quite often is referred to as ‘simple’ or ‘mechanical’ neck pain. The causes of the same can be:
- Minor sprains and / or strains to muscles
- Neck Ligaments
- One factor which can be a contributor is bad posture
*** If you work a desk-job, posture could be a factor contributing to your neck-pain ***
Shoulder Pain
- Poor posture & frozen shoulder – not only restricts normal movement with the shoulder, but can also induce a lot of increase in pain. In some extreme cases the movement of shoulder can be prohibited altogether.
- Instability in the shoulder – Also referred to as hypermobility. Hypermobility refers to an unstable shoulder joint, which is often characterised by unusual range of motion of the shoulder.
- Rotator cuff disorders – Rotator cuff is an underlying muscle in the shoulder area that facilitates mobility. It is also one of the most overlooked muscles in body, which often leads to disorders.
- Joint disorders (Acromioclavicular) – The Acromioclavicular joint – is the joint positioned in the shoulder at the top, and is critical to normal movement of the shoulder. A disorder in the same is also called osteoarthritis, in the shoulder and may be caused by a fracture in of the humerus (upper arm bone), or a broken collarbone.
Stress
Emotional stress is a known cause of muscular tension. This muscular tension is extremely evident in the base of the neck, head, and jaw. Such muscular stress can upset normal blood flow, and may cause severe headaches for a patient.
What is Sciatica?
Our sciatic nerve is a bundle of nerves that are responsible for controlling the muscles in the back of the knee and lower leg. This nerve group leave the spine in the lower part of your back. This nerve group provides sensation to the sole of your foot, parts of lower leg, and back of your thigh. This nerve is also the longest in the body. When irritation or compression is experienced in the sciatic nerve, the phenomenon is known as sciatica.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica Pain?
In the beginning, the symptoms of sciatica may include a mild tingling, a dull ache, or even a burning sensation. However, the pain often starts mild, and may get worse if left untreated. Pain can be worse after standing, sitting, at night, coughing, sneezing, laughing, walking more and bending backwards
Having the group of sciatica nerves compressed or irritated, can cause pain to be experienced in the lower back, the leg, and down in the calf muscles as well.
The pain is often experienced in one side of the body. In many cases, one part of your leg or hip experiences sharp pain, while others go numb. The affected limb may experience weakness, and your numbness may also be felt in the back of our calf or the sole of ones foot.
Sciatica pain Common causes are Spinal stenosis, slipped disc, pelvic injury, Fracture or Piriformis syndrome (pain disorder which involves the narrow muscle in your buttocks)
Have any questions then please get in touch!
*Your FREE Discovery Consultation – What should I expect
Qualified, certified professional osteopaths assess the kind of treatment that is needed and discuss the same with you during a FREE discovery 15 min consultation. If after this, you would prefer to proceed with the treatment immediately, this can be done without any hassle as the calendar is booked for 45 minutes. However, if you don’t want to start the treatment immediately, then that isn’t a problem and the discovery session will be absolutely FREE for you.
Claim your FREE Osteopathy Discovery Session
About osteopathy
- Overall back ache
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Neck ache
- Upper back pain and discomfort
- Sports injuries such as tennis elbow
- Nerve compressions such as sciatica
- Muscular aches and pains
- Muscle and ligament strains,
- Migraines, headaches
- Digestive problems
- Circulatory problems
- Occupational injuries
- Postural, joint pains or stiffness such as arthritis in knees, hands, hips
- Neck and shoulder injuries – including frozen shoulder.
*15 mins FREE Discovery Consultation
When a patient books a FREE discovery consultation with Bodytonic, our osteopaths spend the 15 minute session to understand your problem and discuss the best treatment for you. If after that, you want to start the treatment, it can be done without problems as the osteopath’s calendar is booked for a full 45 minutes. If you don’t want to start the treatment immediately, that’s also no problem and you will not be charged anything for the 15 minute FREE discovery consultation.
Claim your FREE Osteopathy Discovery Session
Need to see my GP before visiting bodytonic clinic?
Osteopathy is a safe treatment that is fit for all members of the family, so consulting with a GP is not necessary in most cases. If however, your condition is extreme, or you have a complex medical history, it is smart to consult your GP before an osteopathic treatment. If you have more questions about osteopathy, get in touch with our team at the number given below.
Osteopathy & Pregnancy?
Osteopathic treatments can help pregnant women effectively adapt to the many changes that the body experiences during pregnancy. Since the body is carrying the additional weight of the baby, women can experience a number of problems such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip and pelvic pain, and many others.
Chiropractic, Physiotherapy & Osteopathy guide
Know what the difference is?
Read bodytonic clinic’s Guide for Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic
Physiotherapy
Offers rehabilitation to all major systems of the body, including neurological, respiratory and cardio-vascular
Osteopathy
Primarily treats the musculoskeletal system of the body
Chiropractic
Deals primarily with spinal manipulation
Bupa / Axa Insurance Accepted*
Professional Standards & Insurance
To ensure your safety, all our practitioners are fully certified:
- Osteopaths must register with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
- Chiropractors must register with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
- We are also proud to accept insurance from Bupa and AXA Insurance and others.
