Should I See A Chiropractor, Physiotherapist or Massage Therapist For My Pain?

After 5 years of practice I have had many opportunities to direct people towards the most appropriate practitioner who is best suited to meet their needs. Many people seeking help for their pain don’t know who to see. Should I see a Chiropractor? A Physiotherapist? A Massage Therapist? These are very common questions that you might be asking yourself too. In order to help you with this dilemma, I have created a guide to help you best understand the difference between Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists.

1. Chiropractors don’t just deal with back and neck pain.

Chiropractic care can help with any joint or muscle problem you might have. When in school, Chiropractors learn to treat ankles, wrists, shoulders and every other joint in your body. Some go on to receive further training in soft tissue treatments that can help with conditions such as carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, shoulder impingement and plantar fasciitis, to name a few. Also by adjusting the spine many of these problems can be helped because your spine is like the foundation of your house. If it is out of shape then it can cause problems all over the place.

2. Chiropractors are able to diagnose.

If you are looking for an answer to why you have pain, then a Chiropractor should be your first stop, because Chiropractors are doctors who are trained to diagnose problems, much the same way your medical doctor does. The difference being that Chiropractors use natural, non-invasive treatments to help restore function and relieve pain, whereas Medical Doctors recommend medication or possibly surgery to correct the problem. Chiropractors are also able to refer you for imaging (x-rays) and interpret the results for you.

3. Physiotherapists focus on pain relief and return to normal function.

If you are experiencing acute pain from a recent injury then a Physiotherapist would be able to help with acute pain management. Physiotherapists use modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound and electric stimulation to help ease pain. Once the pain has been decreased, exercises can be used to help restore function and regain strength in an injured joint. Physiotherapy is especially helpful after surgery because they will work with you to develop an appropriate exercise program so that you can make a full recovery.

4. Massage therapists deal specifically with muscle problems.

Massage therapy is a great way to take care of any sore muscles. It is also great for reducing stress and tension that can build up over time. Massage therapy is often used in conjunction with Physiotherapy or Chiropractic and compliments both very nicely. Muscle issues are often found when someone has any kind of ache or pain so Massage Therapy is a great service to utilize when recovering from any type of injury or accident. Also, by receiving regular Massage Therapy you can help keep your muscles healthy and prevent injuries.

5. All professions are regulated and have certain standards of practice.

All of the above professionals we are discussing in this blog post are regulated and must meet a certain standard in order to maintain their license to practice. This includes keeping and storing proper patient records, continually participating in courses and seminars related to their field and performing only certain treatments that they have been trained in. This is all done to protect the patients and make sure that they are receiving a certain standard of care when they chose to see one of these professionals. If you are thinking of seeking help for your pain, be sure to seek a regulated health professional.

6. At the end of the day it comes down to the individual and their qualifications / approach.

The most important thing to remember is that even within a profession you will meet many different practitioners with many different treatment styles or approaches. This is why it is best to chose a regulated health professional whose approach will best suit your needs and goals. It is also best to chose someone with qualifications and techniques that get good results. Before choosing who you see, be sure to check out online reviews and videos that demonstrate their technique or approach. Also, choose an office that has multiple services under one roof and that uses a team based approach. This will allow for an easy referral to another health professional should you need one.

If you have any further questions about who you should see for your pain or problem, please do not hesitate to contact me at my office. You can call 226-271-7106 or email me at dr.spenser@brantwellnessandrehab.com.