Fascination About physical therapy chiropractor near me
When you are injured or in pain, how can you decide whether to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? In many respects, these two occupations are quite similar, but there are differences. Here's what you need to know to make the right decision and get relief.
Considerations
First, check with your insurance company and find out what services are covered under your plan. Some policies will only cover physical therapies prescribed by a doctor while others are a bit more liberal and will allow a certain number of chiropractic adjustments.
You need to delve deeper into the philosophy of practice if your insurance policy will cover either type of treatment. In other words, what is the goal of the treatment and how will you and the service provider achieve it? That is just one difference between chiropractors and physical therapists, but there are more.
Chiropractic Care
Let's take a look at chiropractors. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the definition of chiropractic care is thus: "Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches ... They practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient treatment, diagnosis and examination. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills, and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling."
Chances are you have received a chiropractic adjustment before. This is simply a manipulation of your spine in order to restore mobility to the joints, ease pain and relieve tightness in the muscles. It's a very common practice and it can do a lot of good for a variety of ailments. But they do more than adjust your spine; chiropractors can recommend whole body therapies and today even specialize in sports medicine.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association are: "... health care professionals who maintain, restore, and improve activity, movement, and health, enabling individuals of all ages to have optimal functioning and quality of life, while ensuring patient safety and applying evidence to provide effective and efficient care. In addition, physical therapists are involved in promoting health, wellness, and fitness through risk factor identification and the implementation of services to reduce risk, slow the progression of or prevent functional decline and disability, and enhance participation in chosen life situations."
Much of the focus of modern physical therapy is on education. Often the services of physical therapists are required before problems get worse. They provide muscle and joint therapies that go beyond rehabilitation and focus on overall body wellness.
Similarities
While the differences may be obvious, the similarities can be even more so. Both professions help patients feel better and provide various therapies for a wide variety of disabilities, aches and pains. Education and rehabilitation are stressed by both professions.
Another way that many chiropractic and physical therapy clinics are similar is in the type of equipment used. One of the newest tools of the trade is an infrared body wrap system. Using far infrared rays safely administered via a wrap that can be applied to any part of the body, this soothing, noninvasive therapy is quite beneficial for muscle aches, joint pain and other body stressors. You are likely to find an infrared body wrap system in many modern chiropractor and physical therapist offices because they allow patients to comfortably and privately experience the benefits of infrared heat, much like a sauna.
So which specialist should you see when you are injured or experiencing pain? Your regular doctor's recommendation along with an overview of your insurance policy will usually provide the right answer.
When you are injured or in pain, how can you decide whether to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? In many respects, these two occupations are quite similar, but there are differences. Here's what you need to know to make the right decision and get relief.
Considerations
Check with your insurance company and find out what services are covered under physical therapy chiropractor near me your plan. Some policies will only cover physical therapies prescribed by a doctor while others are a bit more liberal and will allow a certain number of chiropractic adjustments.
You need to delve deeper into the philosophy of practice if your insurance policy will cover either type of treatment. In other words, what is the goal of the treatment and how will you and the service provider achieve it? That is just one difference between chiropractors and physical therapists, but there are more.
Chiropractic Care
Let's take a look at chiropractors. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the definition of chiropractic care is thus: "Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the legs or arms, and headaches ... They practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient diagnosis, examination and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills, and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling."
Chances are you have received a chiropractic adjustment before. This is simply a manipulation of your spine in order to restore mobility to the joints, ease pain and relieve tightness in the muscles. It's a very common practice and it can do a lot of good for a variety of ailments. They do more than adjust your spine; chiropractors can recommend whole body therapies and today even specialize in sports medicine.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association are: "... health care professionals who maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and health, enabling individuals of all ages to have optimal functioning and quality of life, while ensuring patient safety and applying evidence to provide effective and efficient care. In addition, physical therapists are involved in promoting health, wellness, and fitness through risk factor identification and the implementation of services to reduce risk, slow the progression of or prevent functional decline and disability, and enhance participation in chosen life situations."
Much of the focus of modern physical therapy is on education. Often the services of physical therapists are required before problems get worse. They provide muscle and joint therapies that go beyond rehabilitation and focus on overall body wellness.
Similarities
While the differences may be obvious, the similarities can be even more so. Both professions help patients feel better and provide various therapies for a wide variety of aches, disabilities and pains. Education and rehabilitation are stressed by both professions.
Another way that many chiropractic and physical therapy clinics are similar is in the type of equipment used. One of the newest tools of the trade is an infrared body wrap system. Using far infrared rays safely administered via a wrap that can be applied to any part of the body, this soothing, noninvasive therapy is quite beneficial for muscle aches, joint pain and other body stressors. You are likely to find an infrared body wrap system in many modern chiropractor and physical therapist offices because they allow patients to comfortably and privately experience the benefits of infrared heat, much like a sauna.
Which specialist should you see when you are injured or experiencing pain? Your regular doctor's recommendation along with an overview of your insurance policy will usually provide the right answer.
When you are injured or in pain, how can you decide whether to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? When you are injured or in pain, how can you decide whether to visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist? Another way that many chiropractic and physical therapy clinics are similar is in the type of equipment used. Physical therapists do not provide manipulative therapy with the frequency that chiropractors do nor have they had the same number of hours or years of training in adjusting techniques. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after 6 weeks.