What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an Osteopath
I am often asked the exact difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath, and the answer is: it really depends on the practitioner as there is a large overlap between the techniques used in the two disciplines.
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The founder of Chiropractic Andrew Palmer was actually a student of Andrew Still (widely considered the founder of Osteopathy) and formed his own discipline from studying Osteopathy
Osteopath
To become an Osteopath in the UK involves four years of full time-training or five years part time training. This usually leads to a bachelor’s degree in Osteopathy (a BSc Hons, Bost or BOstMed) or a Masters degree (Most)
In the UK there are also a few schools that allow GMC registered doctors to acquire an osteopath qualification via 2 years of part time study. This is because the doctors have already spent a significant part of their medical training learning anatomy and physiology
Osteopathic training involves a significant amount of time learning techniques such as soft tissue therapy and develop palpatory skills with their hands. They become adept at treating the body holistically. Treatment often involves soft tissue therapy, mobilisation to muscles and manipulation of spinal joints.
After training an osteopath must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOSc).
The GOSc maintains a register which is easily accessible to the public. To stay on the register the Osteopath must engage in further training and development to ensure a high standard of care is delivered. This is termed Continued Professional Development and involves attending regular training events to stay up to date with the latest skills and research.
The register can be checked on the following link
https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/
Chiropractor
To become a Chiropractor in the UK also involves four years of full-time training.
Although the number of institutions offering Chiropractic studies in the UK is much less than the USA, it is rapidly growing speciality in the UK. The undergraduate training leads to MChiro (Hons) and Postgraduate studies leads to MSc Chiropractic.
The qualification obtained from the US is Doctor of Chiropractic D.C
Chiropractors usually treat body ailments using the theory of a vertebral subluxation. This involves spinal manipulations especially for lower back pain. Frequently the spine and pelvic area is adjusted or ‘re-aligned’ if there is asymmetry in posture. The Spinal adjustment techniques are also taught during Osteopathic training. Hence there is much overlap between the two disciplines
The General Chiropractic Council register can be accessed here
Chiropractor v  Osteopath?
A better question would be is the practitioner adept at treating my problem or does he come highly recommended?
Within each discipline there is wide variation.
Some Chiropractors may actually do more soft tissue treatment and some osteopaths may perform more spinal manipulations.
It really is an individual choice and a good guide is recommendation by word of mouth. If work colleagues or friends have obtained benefit by visiting a practitioner of either discipline, then you should be in safe hands
What we recommend above all is that the practitioner is actually registered and regulated by a professional body such as the General Osteopathic Council or the General Chiropractic Council.
Any practitioner claiming to be an osteopath or chiropractor but not on the register of the above bodies in the UK is actually practising illegally. In these cases the practitioner is also practising without the safety and professional expertise acquired by practitioners who have invested time and energy into acquiring these qualifications
We recommend checking this register to check the practitioner is qualified to deliver safe and effective care.
Sometimes practitioners who call themselves osteopaths or chiropractors may acquire a certain level of expertise through treating lots of people and attending weekend courses but fail to detect serious ailments which can be detected by osteopaths or chiropractors who frequently perform a more thorough physical exam than the patient’s own doctor.
By going to someone unregistered you run the risk of missing out on this expert training and knowledge. The other danger is certain techniques which should not be performed in conditions such as Sciatica or Disc herniation are performed leaving the patient in even more agony than before.
We at MyMSK Clinic have established ourselves in our specialty and are now successfully running a state of the art clinic, regulated by the CQC.Â
We are constantly striving to better ourselves and provide our patients the highest quality of care that they deserve. We have an Osteopath in Burnley to treat ailments such as Neck Pain, Shoulder issues such as bursitis, frozen shoulder, bursitis along with Hip Arthritis, Disc Bulge, Sciatica and even Plantar fasciitis. Our service is spread across two locations with our Manchester and Burnley clinic
Book yourself in now to see that all your pain relief needs are seen to!
