first slider

[popup_anything id=”10202″]

North Wales Physiotherapist

Should You See a Chiropractor or a Physiotherapist in North Wales?

We are going to look at some of the differences between chiropractors and physiotherapists so that you may make in informed decision.

What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?

Qualifications

Chiropractors and physiotherapists are both qualified to BSc degree level. Generally, the physiotherapy degree lasts 3 years and the chiropractic degree lasts 4 years.

Chiropractic Clinic near North Wales Physiotherapist

25, High Street
St Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0RD
Phone: 01745 535854
email

Medical

After taking a full medical history and performing spinal, orthopaedic and neurological examinations, we rule out any serious pathology and make a medical diagnosis (eg slipped disc)

Functional

This means exploring how muscles and joints move together. How is the body working? Are muscles over-tight or too weak? Are the spinal joints moving correctly without restriction?

Holistic

Finally we make an holistic assessment. This means looking at other factors that may influence the problem such as posture, stress, work, diet and the feet

Basic Training

A physiotherapist learns how to rehabilitate people from many different conditions such as stroke, heart attack, lung disease and neurological disorders. The relief of back pain and muscle and joint conditions is only one part of their training.

A chiropractor’s four-year degree is focused solely on relieving spine, joint, and musculoskeletal conditions.

A physiotherapist is not trained to diagnose complex medical conditions. That is why a referral from your GP is necessary.

A chiropractor is trained to diagnose medical conditions. This is important for them to be able to rule out any underlying pathology properly before treatment.

The Back Doctor

Mr Massey graduated in 2004 with first class honours in chiropractic. Since that time he has treated international athletes, professional dancers and over 2,000 patients at his Chester and St Asaph clinics. "There is an epidemic of back pain in he UK and yet most people do not need to suffer at all. I am passionate about giving people the right treatment, the right education and the right exercises, so they can live active pain-free lives".
Read More
blank

Postgraduate training

Although the chiropractic degree is four years, this has changed in the recent years. Chiropractors now leave university with a masters degree. The old BSc in chiropractic is equivalent to the new MSc in chiropractic.

Most physiotherapists who want to specialise in musculoskeletal work go on to do post-graduate training.

Both chiropractors and physiotherapists are required to do ongoing training by their regulatory bodies.

Regulation

Physiotherapists are regulated by HCPC which is an umbrella body regulating other therapists such as podiatrists.

Chiropractors have their own regulatory body, the GCC which is recognised by Royal Charter.

Ethos

Physiotherapy is an evidence-based discipline following strictly evidence based practice. You know you will be safe; however, this can have its drawbacks. For example, NHS physiotherapists rarely use hands-on techniques, just handing out exercise sheets because there is some evidence that this is just as effective.

Chiropractic is also evidence based. Chiropractors are not limited to a musculoskeletal discipline. They are essentially movement specialists using cross-disciplinary medicine.  The goal of the chiropractor is to ensure optimum movement of the body. Optimum movement requires a detailed knowledge of orthopaedics, neurology, joint and muscle mechanics. When the body is moving properly, unnecessary stresses and strains are removed from the joints and muscles and painful syndromes are relieved.

North Wales Physiotherapist or Chiropractor?

People get good results from both chiropractic treatment and from physiotherapy. Here are some good things to consider so you can make a decision:

  1. What is the experience of your therapist?
  2. Do you get on with them?
  3. Do they speak a language you understand?
  4. Do you trust them?

Phone up and have a chat with a prospective therapist. Do they come across as professional?

In the end the decision is yours. Either way, you will be seeing a highly trained professional and of course, if you try one and it does not work for you, you can always try the other!

Testimonials

Mr Massey's input has been kind, professional, caring and most importantly based on sound scientific judgements. It has not only been a healing experience with him but also a learning one. Very often we forget that each part of the body is connected to the other parts and the holistic approach is the best way for long term well-being and happiness.
Read More

S Sethi, Consultant Paediatrician MBBS, MD, MRCP, FRCPCH, MPH

Even after the first appointment I couldn’t believe the difference, it felt like a huge weight had literally been lifted off my head, and for the first time in over 10 years I didn’t have a headache. Steve has taught me how to relax both my body and mind and, for a long period of time, I have not had a headache. I can honestly say it has really changed my life.
Read More

W Smith

Steve helped get me back on my feet and back to work in just a few weeks. That would have been good enough but then an extended treatment over the next few months had me back in the gym and rebuilding my back muscles. The work with Steve now means that I can actually feel the health of my spine and correct issues before it becomes a painful problem.
Read More

D. Heaton-Rue

I have a condition called symphysis pubis diastasis (SPD) which is extremely painful and can be completely debilitating. I have seen my midwife, consultant obstetrician and physiotherapist but none of them has been able to help me. They have offered me strong pain-killers, a very long stay in hospital and early induction of my labour. 1 treatment a week with Stephen Massey changed my life.
Read More

L Smith

Our Latest Posts