Your house is on fire and the fire department is on their way. A fire truck arrives and puts out the fire saving your home and the valuables inside from further damage. In this scenario, you aren’t thinking about the type of fire truck, how the fire truck works, or the differences that fire truck has from other fire trucks. You just want the fire put out. This thought process should be the same for evidence-based and patient-centered, conservative care. The fire is the pain and/or dysfunction in movement that you, the patient, might have and the fire truck that puts out the fire is the evidence-based and patient-centered care that you receive. Care that is being chosen as an alternative to surgery (conservative care) should consist of having the top priority of helping you with your pain and/or your dysfunctional movements.

Conservative care comes in many different forms from different professions, but sometimes the best intention of conservative care can get lost in unproductive conversations about which profession is better than the other. Providers in conservative care cannot forget that the most important part about conservative care is you, the patient. This blog will cover the similarities and differences between two common conservative providers, chiropractors and physical therapists. The purpose of this blog is not to argue for what profession is better than the other, but rather to give you the knowledge of how these two professions might handle conservative care differently. The two professions should have the intention of providing you care that only consists of necessary treatments, is backed by research, and is done for the best of your health. Hopefully, after reading this blog you have the knowledge and feel comfortable with choosing what conservative care can help you put out the fire your pain is causing you!

So how are these two professions the same? At first glance, you know they both give hands on care and both are options to try before considering surgery. However, when you look a little closer you find they share more than this. For example, both professions can do rehabilitative exercises with you, it’s just more commonly associated with physical therapists. From the other perspective, manipulation in some form can be done by both professions, it’s just more commonly utilized by chiropractors. After completing an undergraduate degree, each profession endures vigorous schooling for at least 3 years to earn a title of a doctor and allow providers to receive further education in specialized areas, if they choose to do so. Both of these professions should be promoting active care and educating you during every step of your care, so you can be well equipped to handle similar injuries following your care.

Before digging into differences between the two professions, be sure to remember that although there are differences, the purpose is to gain a general idea about the two professions; both professions should help you in making a decision for what care is right for you. With that being said, chiropractors receive more education on imaging (imaging referring to x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.), whether this be reading imaging, taking x-rays, or diagnosing from imaging. Physical therapists receive education in imaging, but not as in depth as chiropractors. However, be aware that if a chiropractor does not have a medical necessity to image, they should not be. Physical therapists, on the other hand, receive more education in the aspects of rehab in their core curriculum. Additionally, chiropractors are considered primary care providers and do not need a referral to see a patient. Lastly, physical therapists can get board-certified in certain specialties, whereas chiropractors earn diplomates in certain specialties, but both serve as additional education they can receive to help a more specific population.

All this being said, keep in mind that this information is to give you a starting point to learn about options for conservative care. At Focus On Health, we have partnered with Peak Sport & Spine to harness two of the most powerful conservative care options.

Understand that this blog post is limited to a general idea of the two professions, what a chiropractor and a physical therapist can do is much more detailed and should be discussed with the provider. Also, every provider has their own opinions and biases about their profession and another profession. Regardless, keep in mind that you, the patient, are the captain of your care and the providers should be guiding you through or to what they believe is the right direction of care. Hopefully, you now can feel more comfortable in trying to find conservative care that can put out the fire that is your pain and improve your function!

• Dr. Daniel McGaugh