Osteopathy vs. Chiropractic: Choosing the Appropriate Treatment

Two alternative medical systems, alike in many ways — what sets chiropractic and osteopathy apart? Perhaps you have never even heard of one of these treatments or don’t know what either aims to achieve. In this article, we dive deep into what both services can offer and why one may be better for your needs. 

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a manual manipulation-based therapy that aims to improve the functioning of the whole body. This non-invasive form of medicine takes a holistic approach to healing common ailments and aligning the body for better health overall. 

A practitioner of osteopathy is called an osteopath or an osteopathic physician. An osteopath will manipulate areas of the musculoskeletal system to strengthen the body, improve lymphatic drainage, and boost circulation. Osteopathic treatments also target the nervous system and fascial networks to help soothe and balance all aspects of the body. 

Many osteopaths focus on the joints, muscles, and spine and centre treatments around the alignment of these structures. Alternatively, some osteopaths may further specialize in various body systems or take a more comprehensive approach to their treatments. 

No matter their focus, all osteopaths strive to improve the body’s functioning through the use of their hands and their knowledge of the body’s innate healing mechanisms.

How Does Osteopathy Differ From Chiropractic Treatment?

When you hear talk of manipulating the spine, you may think of another popular form of alternative medicine, chiropractic care.

 Chiropractors also use their hands to manipulate the musculoskeletal system and improve the holistic health of the body. So, what is the difference between osteopathy and chiropractic? 

For one, osteopathy tends to treat a wider range of ailments involving all systems in the body. Chiropractors focus more on the spine and how it plays a central role in all the body’s systems.

Osteopaths also tend to use physical palpation and touch to guide the entire treatment from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Chiropractors favour imaging and similar tests to determine spine and joint alignment before developing a treatment plan. 

The goal of both approaches is the same — to help patients achieve optimal wellness. However, the philosophy surrounding each practice has distinct roots.

How to Determine Which Approach is Best For You

Choosing the best approach for you depends on what you need from an alternative medicine provider. Although these two disciplines are similar, you’ll want to focus on the differences to see which aligns more with your needs. 

Some questions to ask yourself when determining the best treatment for you include:

If you’re more concerned with your spinal health and postural alignment, you may benefit more from seeing a chiropractor. If you are looking to treat ongoing symptoms such as a persistent cough or nervous dysfunction, it may be more beneficial to try osteopathy. 

Book a Treatment Today

Whether you’re partial to chiropractic treatments or want to try out osteopathy, Atlantic Chiropractic has your needs covered. At our wellness clinic, we offer a variety of holistic treatments to help our clients lead a more pain-free life without drugs or invasive techniques. 

Call us at 902-407-6070 or fill out our online form to book an appointment with our team today. Our dedicated practitioners are committed to helping you find more balance and ease within your daily routine.