Ah, that thorny question! “Should I see a physical therapist or chiropractor?”. At Back & Body Pain Relief, this one comes up frequently.
There are many similarities between the two disciplines and just as many differences, so we’re going to break it down for you. Of course, the best way to determine the answer is to come see us for a consultation. You’ll find physical therapy and chiropractic under the same roof at Back & Body Pain Relief, accompanied by acupuncture and sports medicine. That makes us the most well-rounded pain relief resource you’re likely to find. Now available for patients in New Jersey, we’ve brought our award-winning model here to better serve you.
Let’s explore the question.
Education
Both physical therapists and chiropractors must meet rigorous educational requirements. Both types of practitioners go through an internship period. But physical therapists intern for 30 weeks full-time to be licensed, while chiropractors must intern for an entire year.
For both disciplines, 7 years’ intensive education is required and both must obtain post-graduate certification to practice. The 7 years’ training includes the respective internship periods for both.
Practice
A principle difference between physical therapists and chiropractors is that the physical therapist tends to practice in multiple settings, whereas the chiropractor generally has a private office. That said, chiropractors are making significant inroads practicing in hospitals and working for sports teams on a full-time basis, or on call.
You’ll find physical therapists in hospitals, people’s homes and rehabilitation centers, as well as serving the military and in outpatient clinics.
Imaging diagnostics
Of the two medical disciplines, only a chiropractor can order diagnostic imaging tests. So, X-Rays, ultrasounds and MRIs must be ordered by a chiropractor, but a physical therapist may refer patients for these tests.
Exercise
Both chiropractors and physical therapists know the value of exercise, but physical therapists incorporate exercise into their practices as a matter of course. Their worked is geared to rehabilitation, working with the neuro-muscular relationship to re-educate the body, prevent future injury and to stabilize the body.
The chiropractor’s focus is somewhat different. Exercise is incorporated into care plans for specific cases but it’s not a central imperative of the discipline. The musculoskeletal and nervous systems are the focus of chiropractic, restoring balance between the two to relieve pain.
Back & Body Pain Relief NJ
If you’re seeking an effective response to pain, Back & Body Pain Relief is your New Jersey resource, offering four distinct disciplines under one roof. We work as a team to deliver personalized, patient-centered health care rooted in a multi-disciplinarian approach which has won awards because it works.
For some pain issues, chiropractic offers the solution. For others, physical therapy does. Sometimes, the two work in concert to resolve the issue. But at Back & Body, our professionals combine disciplines and therapies to arrive at the solution that answers your specific problem.
And we do it at one convenient facility.
If you’re seeking effective pain relief that works with the individual patient, then Back & Body Pain Relief is your one-stop solution. Contact us.
