Even though osteopathy, physiotherapy and chiropractic adjustment share certain similarities, each one has different approaches and techniques.
The main difference between osteopathy and physiotherapy lies in their approach and treatment philosophy. Osteopathy adopts a holistic approach, treating the body as an interconnected unit, searching for the root cause of problems to correct them through manual techniques. This discipline includes not just the muscles and bones, but also the internal organs and other body systems to reach overall balance. On the other hand, physiotherapy is more analytical and is focussed on physical rehabilitation through therapeutic exercises, movements, massages and other physical techniques. Its main aim is to improve mobility and to alleviate pain using methods based on scientific evidence. Even though both disciplines can be complementary, their perspective on diagnosis and treatment is what distinguishes them, with osteopathy being more general and physiotherapy more specific in locating physical dysfunctions.
The differences between osteopathy and chiropractic adjustment lie in their approaches and techniques. Osteopathy focuses on a general understanding of the body, searching for balance between all the different systems (musculoskeletal, nervous, visceral) using slow, gentle manipulations. Osteopaths believe that one part of the body can impact other parts, which is why they have a holistic approach to treatment. Chiropractic adjustment, on the other hand, focuses mainly on the spine and its relationship with the nervous system. Chiropractors make quick, specific adjustments to the vertebrae to correct misalignments, with the aim of improving the nervous function and alleviating pain.
In conclusion, physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustment and osteopathy all aim to reduce pain, but they do so with slightly different approaches.