Physiotherapists -v- chiropractors?

[Scottishnewbie]

about 9 years ago i was in a fairly bad car accident and have been left with long term/permanent damage to my shoulder/neck area. after much to-ing and fro-ing over the years i found a brilliant physio that i now see every 6 weeks (unless i have a flair up when i see her more often).

my dillemma is this:

we moved up here about 3 years ago and it now takes me an hour and a half to drive there...and funnily enough an hour and a half to drive home again! so much of the 'good' she does me is probably being undone in the journey home - plus if things are bad then the drive is horrendous.

my sister has been on at me for ages to change my physio but i keep telling her they arent all the same!

anyway,long and short of it is, there is a chiro nearby and i'm tempted to try them but have heard horror stories from my dad when i was a wee girl about how they are terrible! and things like that tend to stick with oyu years later!

does anyone have expereince of both and which one did they prefer?

i've tried to find a national register of chiropractors but cant find one!

in a real quandry!

[srodders]

I had quite a serious accident in the past and had lots of physio then and in the years since. I am currently seeing a chiropractor about an unrelated condition. To be honest I don't think that there is much difference. Over here there a a few dual qualified physio/chiropracters and they both say there is a lot of overlap. I go by the ethos of, if it is bony then a chiro, if it is muscular then a physio.The problem I have at the mo is both muscular and skeletal. The chiro is doing a great job. In the past Chiro has not been as well regulated as physio but that has changed and both are well regulated these days.

[dogsbody]

I feel for you and understand to an extent what you are going through.

For a register you need to be looking at Osteopaths (they are registered, whereas I believe the term "chiropractor" can be used by anyone - happy to be corrected if I'm wrong).

The main difference (usually) is Physios give you exercises to do (although some do use manipulation) whilst Osteopaths will generally, if appropriate, use manipulation as treatment.

Hope you find someone soon, and it helps.

[srodders]

Have a look here

British Chiropractic Association

and here

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

[Scottishnewbie]

thanks folks, this is really helpful. i cant find my local people on this register so i think i'll give them a call in the morning for advise -really appreciate it.

it's so hard when you've been to the same provider for so many years and are really happy with them to even consider changing, far less actually DO it!

[organic]

Have you considered having a chat with your current physio? Maybe she could suggest someone, point you in the right direction or maybe even make some sort of arrangement to come to you.

Couldn't hurt to find out.

Maybe she has family or friends in your area she visits and could call to you en route there or back.

[Nicos]

errmm..have you thought of a registered Osteopath???
Just a thought- check their registered qualification as you would a physio or chiropractor .
As dogsbody says- phone and talk to a few of the peeps O/C/O so they can follow as close as poss what you have found successful in the past ( manip/excs)
Your previous health care provider is obliged to send a report along with you.
if you aren't happy after the first couple of treatments- move on until you click with someone who does. Just make sre you don't go to 2 at the same time!

All the best!

[Scottishnewbie]

i know i should speak to current one - in fact i have an appoinment with her on thursday - feels almost disloyal to ask her to recommend someoneelse - although i get the importance - just being a bit of a wimp i think~~!

actually if i dont get my act together i will be seeing 2 this week - C wants to do xray of spine tomorrow and then appt on friday and i have regular appt with P on thursday! not quite sure what to do!!!!

[Nicos]

i know i should speak to current one - in fact i have an appoinment with her on thursday - feels almost disloyal to ask her to recommend someoneelse - although i get the importance - just being a bit of a wimp i think~~!

actually if i dont get my act together i will be seeing 2 this week - C wants to do xray of spine tomorrow and then appt on friday and i have regular appt with P on thursday! not quite sure what to do!!!!

Don't let them both treat you at the same time...tis VERY important you stick to this!

X-ray fine..then P ..then C should be OK- so long as you tell the C what the P did the day before...a couple of days in between would have been better though
( hhmm...yup- I used to be a P manipulating all sorts of joints!)

[Scottishnewbie]

Don't ( hhmm...yup- I used to be a P manipulating all sorts of joints!)

P and C are different practices - so do i cancel physio for this week and wait till chiro looks at xray, or do i get xray and then see physio and then see chiro next week?

[Glutton4...]

I went to an Osteopath who did nothing but massage the affected area (torn lower lumbar muscle) but now I go to a Chiropractor every 6-8 weeks (on recommendation from my DH who swears by her) and I now recommend her to everyone. She's half my size and half my age, and she can straighten me out with a couple of hugs and prods in the right place. I did try to stretch the time between appointments, but to be perfectly honest, I feel so good after I've been 'done' that I always wish my next appointment was sooner!

Just my experience, I know, but being a virtual 'white coat hypertensive' I'd say; when you find one you trust, stick with 'em!

My next appointment is tomorrow evening - YAY!

[Nicos]

P and C are different practices - so do i cancel physio for this week and wait till chiro looks at xray, or do i get xray and then see physio and then see chiro next week?

Hmm...your call- I think I'd delay the physio appt- but explain why. 2nd opinions are always welcome.

Then- make a choice.

[Scottishnewbie]

oooohhhh i hate this

[vikkib]

oooohhhh i hate this

Personally, I'd delay the physio appointment too and explain why. I'd hope they would understand that travelling three hours for each appointment isn't practical (financially or physically). See if they can recommend someone closer to you but see what the chiro makes of the x-rays in the meantime.

Always easier when it's not me these things are happening too though!

[Capsid]

I'm not a fan of chiropracters. In the USA they claim they can cure all sorts of things. In the UK they just stick to cracking you back. I'm interested to know what the outcome of the x-ray will be. Usually it involves uncovering some other ailment that then requires you to visit and pay for a protracted course of back cracking.

Personally, I'd find a physiotherapist referred to by your GP that is local to you.