Physical Therapy in Boardman, Poland, Youngstown in Mahoning County, Ohio.

The Difference Between Physical Therapy & Chiropractic

Michael Rinaldi, PT, OCS

This is a common question that I get and it's time to set the record straight, not only as I see it, but as it really is.

Around 1995 or so, I was at a seminar where a professor at Quinnepiac College who was lecturing told me that "the difference between a skilled physical therapist and a chiropractor is that the physical therapist will teach his patients how to not have to come back for follow-up care forever."

While that's an oversimplification from some time ago, there is some truth to it. 

The Basics.

Chiropractic has its roots begin over a century ago from the observations and trial-and-error of BJ Palmer who had the idea that the misalignment of spinal vertebrae was very much at the source of many somatic (bodily) problems---both painful and illnesses.   He did archaic studies whereby he attempted to measure nerve conduction from the top of the neck down before and after manipulation. 

Those original ideas were the fundamentals of the early chiropractic movement (earlier monikered "bone-setters") that has today evolved into a splintered profession with different philosophies. 

There is a movement within chiropractic in recent years towards incorporation of rehabilitative principles.  As I've also heard from experts in the field: "Chiropractic wants what PT has."  And this would be mainstream acceptance.  There is also a movement that believes that repetitive manipulation, in the long run, does more harm than good and is potentially fatal (see www.neck911.com).  This (as well as for financial reasons) may be why we are seeing chiropractic 'cross over' into the realm of PT.

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