WHEN IS WHICH FORM OF THERAPY USEFUL?

The therapy options among manual therapies are many: osteopathy, physiotherapy or chiropractic. But when does which form of therapy make sense?

Chiropractic: for sudden pain

Many people appreciate chiropractic treatment because it often quickly releases blocked joints and patients are free of pain again. It is used for acute complaints and selectively. For example, when musculoskeletal pain occurs, such as a “locked” rib joint. The therapist then performs impulse mobilization while the patient remains passive.

However, people with osteoporosis or an increased tendency to bleed should avoid this therapy. This method is also not the first choice after major surgery or accidents. Therefore, it is important that the patient is first carefully questioned about how the symptoms feel and whether there are any underlying diseases.

Since it is a passive method, the discomfort may return after some time. This is a sign that this approach is not working and active engagement by the individual(s) is needed to prevent relapse.

Physiotherapy

Unlike chiropractic, physical therapy requires an active commitment from the individual(s) involved in order for the therapy to result in lasting success. In addition, physical therapists take a more gentle approach than their chiropractic counterparts.

The following basic pillars of physiotherapeutic treatment are important: training, practicing, repeating, stretching, mobilizing and moving. Physical therapy aims to build strength, train muscle endurance and increase stability. As a rule, this treatment takes place once a week for a certain period of time.

Regular physiotherapy often helps well with musculoskeletal complaints, even if joint arthrosis already exists, for example.

Osteopathy

Osteopathic treatments can help with complaints where one is “stuck” for a long time or with patients who are suffering but for whom no tangible medical reason has been found. Osteopathy is also often used as a complement to physical therapy because it takes into account anatomical connections in a more holistic way.

For example, if someone has Achilles tendon problems, the true cause may be in a completely different place, such as the pelvic area. But since everything is connected, bones, fascia and ligaments on which the organs are “suspended”, the problem in the pelvic area can manifest itself through fascial chains on the Achilles tendon. Healed injuries can also lead to such fascial tension and cause pain elsewhere. If osteopathy succeeds in releasing these tensions, downstream physiotherapy will also be more promising. Craniosacral therapy is also part of osteopathy and works with very gentle techniques between the head (cranium) and sacrum (sacrum).

Osteopathy is a “passive” form of treatment, yet patients may end up feeling tired. You may even experience muscle soreness. As a rule, osteopathic treatments are performed with greater time intervals than in physiotherapy. Usually five to seven sessions per year are sufficient.