Chiropractic and Osteopathy

What is Chiropractic and Osteopathy?

Chiropractic and Osteopathy are both primary health care professions specialising in the neuro-musculo-skeletal system with an emphasis on muscles and joints. Both therapies provide care for patients of all ages with a range of chronic and acute conditions. Chiropractic and Osteopathy share a common history and philosophy, which set them apart from the more traditional allopathic medical fields. Rather than focusing on the individual components of the body, Chiropractors and Osteopaths view the body in a more holistic manner, as a self-contained, self-healing and fully interconnected unit.

What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an Osteopath?

In most cases, patient experiences with Chiropractors and Osteopaths will be very similar. They treat the same structures and use similar manipulative techniques to achieve the same goal of alleviating pain and improving joint mobility.

However, there are some differences. When diagnosing a patient, Chiropractors and Osteopaths both use visual inspection (observation) and palpation (touch). Chiropractors frequently use other diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays, MRI scans, blood tests and urine tests. Radiograpy and X-ray interpretation are part of the undergraduate chiropractic degree, where as Osteopaths can study this at a postgraduate level.

At the Chiltern Health Centre all our practitioners have access to the same diagnostic facilities and this means that they are in the best place to provide a patient-focused approach to care.

Each Chiropractor and each Osteopath at the Chiltern Health Centre is an individual with his or her own unique style of practice, and we believe it is important for a patient to find a practitioner that fits with his or her unique needs, regardless of the label.

How Can Chiropractic and Osteopathy help?

Chiropractic and Osteopathy can help you or someone you know who suffers from any of the following problems:

• Low Back Pain/ Strain
• Neck Pain/ Strain
• Joint pain/ Strain
• Sciatica
• Muscle Pain, Spasm, Tension
• The symptoms of Arthritis
• Migraine and headaches arising from the neck
• Frozen Shoulder and Tennis Elbow
• Tension
• Many pregnancy related conditions
• Work-related postural problems
• And many other painful conditions