If you're dealing with back pain, recovering from an injury, or trying to improve your movement and function, you’ve probably come across two options: chiropractic care and physiotherapy. But what exactly is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
Understanding the key distinctions between these two healthcare providers can help you make the best decision for your needs. In this post, we break down everything you need to know about chiropractors vs physiotherapists.
Chiropractic vs Physical Therapy: How They Treat You
Chiropractors and physiotherapists both treat pain and physical dysfunction, but their approach, techniques, and treatment goals often differ.
How Their Philosophies Differ
One of the most important distinctions is how they view the body and guide treatment.
- Chiropractors tend to focus on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Their goal is to restore joint mobility (especially in the spine) so the nervous system can function optimally. This can help with pain relief, mobility, and general wellbeing.
- Physiotherapists focus more broadly on movement and function, aiming to improve how muscles, joints, and nerves work together during activity. Their treatments often involve active participation from the patient, including exercises, stretches, and functional retraining.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your condition, goals, and how your body responds to care.
Chiropractic Care at Lakeside Chiropractic
Chiropractors focus on improving joint mobility—especially in the spine—through hands-on adjustments and manual therapy. At Lakeside Chiropractic, we go beyond just adjustments. Our team also uses:
- Soft tissue therapy
- Dry needling
- Cold laser therapy
- Postural and functional assessments
- Many more!
This approach is often helpful for:
- Spinal stiffness or restricted movement
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches
- Sciatica and nerve-related discomfort
- Postural issues from desk work or repetitive strain
- Musculoskeletal conditions in your extremities, like frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, or plantar fasciitis
Our goal is to restore motion and reduce irritation to affected joints and surrounding tissues, which can help improve overall movement and comfort.
Physiotherapy: A Movement-Based Approach
Physiotherapists tend to focus more on movement retraining and rehabilitation. They use targeted exercises, stretches, joint mobilisation, and sometimes tools like ultrasound or electrical stimulation. Physiotherapy is often the go-to option for:
- Post-surgical recovery
- Sports injuries and return-to-play programs
- Neurological rehab (such as after a stroke)
- Improving mobility and balance, especially in older adults
- Muscle weakness or poor movement patterns
While physios may address spinal issues, they typically don’t perform joint manipulations like chiropractors do.
Hands-On vs Exercise-Based Treatment
In short:
- Chiros focus more on manual techniques like adjustments and joint mobilisation.
- Physios emphasise movement retraining and active rehab exercises.
Some people benefit from starting with chiropractic care to reduce pain and restore joint motion, then transitioning to physiotherapy for long-term rehab and injury prevention.
Choosing What’s Right for You
Here’s a general guide to help you decide based on your needs:
| Concern | Chiropractor | Physiotherapist |
|---|---|---|
| Spinal joint stiffness | Yes – commonly treated | Rarely addressed directly |
| Exercise-based rehabilitation | Some guidance offered | Core part of treatment |
| Spinal adjustments | Core technique | Not performed |
| Post-surgery recovery | Not typically provided | Ideal option |
| Joint support and mobility | Focused care | Depends on individual plan |
It’s Not Either-Or
At Lakeside Chiropractic, we often work alongside physiotherapists or other allied health professionals. For some patients, a team-based approach works best—combining chiropractic care for spinal mobility and pain relief, with physiotherapy for strength and movement retraining.
If you're unsure where to start, we're happy to assess your condition and help guide you toward the right care path.
Looking for a Chiropractor in Joondalup?
We offer a range of services to help you manage pain and get moving again:
- Chiropractic care
- Soft tissue therapy
- Dry needling
- Cold laser therapy
- Postural and functional assessments
We can assess your condition and recommend whether chiropractic care, physical therapy, or both may help you best. Feel free to call us at 9300 0095 to book an initial consultation with us or visit our website at www.lakesidechiro.com.au for more information.
📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth
Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary.
