Physiotherapy vs Osteopathy - Which Should You Choose?

When you’ve had an injury, it can be hard to know where to get help. If you were to Google the difference between Physiotherapy and Osteopathy, they can appear to be very similar at first glance. 

What do physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists are trained to assess your condition, diagnose the problem, and educate on the contributing factors. A physio will create an individualized treatment plan that considers the goals, health, and lifestyle of the patient. The aim of Physiotherapy is to treat the patient’s pain and symptoms whilst empowering them through self-management strategies.

Physiotherapists work across a range of health settings such as private practice, sporting teams, hospitals, and community settings.  Due to the large spectrum in which physiotherapy operates, Physiotherapists undergo extensive training in musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions in both the public and private health sector. As a result, physios treat a large number of musculoskeletal, neurological and complex conditions.

What are common treatment methods physios use?

The following are common treatment methods used by physiotherapists:

  • Exercise programs to improve mobility and strengthen muscles

  • Joint mobilization to reduce pain and stiffness

  • Joint manipulation

  • Motor control and balance

  • Soft tissue mobilization (massage) 

  • Dry needling

  • Pilates

  • Hydrotherapy

  • Prescription and assistance with use of aids, splints, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs to help you move around. 

  • Breathing and Airway clearance techniques

  • Vestibular retraining (APA, 2022)

What do osteopaths do?

Osteopathic philosophy addresses the role of how the structures of the body are functioning. In osteopathic care, the belief is that a restriction of one part of the body causes compensation in another. Osteopathic training primarily focuses on musculoskeletal conditions.  As a result, osteopathic care has a high degree of manual therapists. They utilize a range of manual techniques to improve the pain of the patient.

Osteopaths do not receive training in hospitals and therefore work primarily in private practice.  Osteopaths mainly treat injuries concerning the spine because of their emphasis on manual treatment. As a result, they tend to treat less numbers of limb injuries

What treatment methods do osteopaths use?

The following are common treatment methods used by osteopaths:

  • Joint mobilization

  • Joint manipulation 

  • Muscle energy technique (MET)

  • Visceral (organ) techniques

So do I need a physio or an osteopath?

In Australia, both professions require either an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. On average the treating therapist has studied for a minimum of four years.  Often Physiotherapists will undergo further postgraduate training to specialize in in specific areas ( i.e. sports physiotherapy) or different body parts ( i.e. foot and ankle). 

Both professions are required to undertake a minimum of 20 hours ongoing professional development yearly.  

Current research largely supports the inclusion of exercise to treat a wide range of conditions. Many clinical research trials into musculoskeletal conditions are led by physiotherapists. This leads to evidence-based rehabilitation and management programs.

This includes but isn’t limited to:

A Physio will treat with a combination of manual therapy and a home exercise program. This allows for the patient to get pain relief at the time of the appointment but also strategies to fix the cause of the issue.

An Osteo is most likely to use an array of hands-on techniques during the consult but less likely to prescribe ongoing exercise.

Still unsure? Book in with one of our skilled therapists for an assessment today. 

References

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guideline for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis. 2nd edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2018.

John Keller