What Is The Difference Between A Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, Osteopath, TCM Practitioner and Rolf
Estimated Reading Time: 2 - 3 mins
Original Post: Here.
I highly recommend watching the video in the link above before reading.
What is the difference between a chiropractor, osteopath, physiotherapist, TCM practitioner etc? They aren’t that different, other than their different philosophies they were born from. Each form of Manual Therapy (the blanket term for clinical hands-on therapy), affects the body in a similar way. We touch the person or perform a technique, the person makes meaning of it consciously or subconsciously, and body changes accordingly e.g. "Oh, actually we could move better here", or "actually we could have better fluid dynamics in this area" or "we don't have to be so tight in this area". What really sets a therapist apart is the way they perform their job. Are they an interactor or an operator?(I explain this in the video) Do they follow the evidence or do they follow the philosophies they were taught to death even when proven wrong/ to be not so helpful? Do they work through concepts and principles or are they a toolbox and technique whipper-outerer?
We can argue about which is a good or bad way or my way or your way of treating clients all day, but that isn't going to be helpful. It isn't about taking sides or defending our identities. It's about figuring out and doing what's most helpful, useful and beneficial for the client or patient. Does it negatively affect their views of themselves and their bodies? Does it affect their confidence to move and live life? Does it make them dependent on you? Are we helping them learn how to help themselves in the future?
I will talk more about this in the future, but for now here is an introduction to what a therapist actually does.
