What are the major differences between osteopathy and chiropractic?

Answer 1

There are many health professionals with dual degrees in osteopathy and chiropractic; including Dr Shahin Pourgol president of the National University of Medical Sciences & the National Academy of Osteopathy.

Chiropractors and osteopaths are all medical professionals who treat patients with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Historically there is a political answer relating to the founder of osteopathy, Dr Andrew Taylor Still, falling out with his student, Dr. D.D. Palmer, who then went on to be the founder of chiropractic.

The principle working difference is that osteopaths tend to use more rhythmical and gentler techniques while chiropractors use more often stronger, high velocity, low amplitude manipulative techniques.

Essentially, both offer valuable and useful services, and each can be included in a holistic healthcare regimen. There are now many multidisciplinary clinics offering osteopathy, chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture and Massage Therapy services. This seems to be the new growing trend in Italy, the United Kingdom & the rest of Europe as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand & the USA, especially for patients injured in motor vehicle accidents.

Chiropractors & osteopaths both can choose to become specialists in radiology, orthopaedics, neurology, clinical nutrition, paediatrics, sports medicine, and clinical sciences. Both chiropractors and osteopaths are primary care givers who can see patients directly without the need for a referral from a medical doctor. And both are permitted to use physiotherapy modalities such as ultrasound, laser and electrotherapy.