Difference with manual & osteopathy

• Manual therapy originated from chiropractic and osteopathy.
• Chiropractic is a 5-year full-time university course while both manual therapy and osteopathy are part-time courses (60 days spread over 3 years).
• Chiropractic focuses on the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, manual therapy focuses on the musculoskeletal system and osteopathy focuses more on organs and the cerebrospinal fluid.
• In chiropractic there are many different techniques to improve freedom of movement, techniques that are not known in manual therapy and osteopathy.

Differences between chiropractic, manual therapy and osteopathy

The question is often asked what the difference is between chiropractic, manual therapy and osteopathy in the Netherlands. This is a good, but also quite a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, there are quite a lot of similarities between the three professions. All three professions deal with the spine. A diagnosis and treatment plan is made. There are also similarities in performing the manipulations or mobilizing techniques. On the other hand, there are also substantial differences between these three professions. We list some things for you;

The origin of the different professions

Both chiropractic and osteopathy originated more than a century ago. In both cases it was assumed that when joints do not move properly, this can lead to problems and pain. For comparison, this was around the time the telephone was invented and even the discovery of the antibiotics took another 30 years. Medical insights, both regular and alternative, were therefore still in their infancy. Since then, both professions have developed enormously in terms of academics, treatment methods and scientific support. Meanwhile, there are many countries worldwide where chiropractic is recognized and regulated, including the United States, Canada, Norway, Denmark, England, and Switzerland. However, both chiropractic and ostheopathy are not recognized in the Netherlands and both fall under the heading of "alternative medicine". Manual therapy, on the other hand, was developed years later and is based on techniques from chiropractic and osteopathy. What many people do not know is that manual therapy as well as chiropractic and osteopathy do not fall under the BIG Act and, strictly speaking, are therefore also an "alternative therapy". Manual therapy is often tolerated because it is seen as a specialization of physiotherapy.

Education

A manual therapist is originally a physiotherapist who subsequently specializes in manual techniques through part-time training. In the 3-year training there are 60 contact days spread over 3 years. Also for osteopathy, part-time training is followed, spread over a number of years. Sometimes this gives the consumer a distorted picture because it is said that the training lasts 3 years, while in reality this is only 60 days. This is an essential difference from chiropractic. A chiropractor follows a full-time university course for 5 years, followed by a GEP year (type of internship) during which he/she is supervised by an experienced chiropractor. As a result, the chiropractor is extensively trained to make a diagnosis, to make a good treatment plan and is also trained to determine when it is better for the patient to contact the general practitioner or a specialist.

Different techniques

The chiropractic approach involves seeing the body as a whole. This means that the focus is not only on the location of the pain, but the cause of the pain is sought. However, the focus is on the musculoskeletal system (all parts of the body through which you can move, such as bones, muscles and joints). and the nervous system. Treatment will focus on this cause. This allows the body's recovery to be optimized. Chiropractic treatment can consist of manipulations ("squatting"), mobilizations, trigger point (pressure point) therapy and other muscle techniques, exercises and postural advice related to your health. There are several specific techniques that can be used to promote joint mobility. So it is not the case that a chiropractor just manipulates. but chiropractic has had the most training in these techniques.

Creaking sound

In fact, the sound that can be heard during a manipulation is the air that moves a bit. This is because there is a difference in pressure during the movement. Fortunately, it is not the bone that "cracks". It is a result of the rapid movement being performed. A mobilization is a movement of the joint that is more relaxed but repeated much more often. As a result, that pressure difference does not arise in the joint and the "cracking sound" cannot be heard.

Manual therapy and osteopathy

There are different schools of thought within manual therapy. In one of these movements manipulations are carried out and in the other only mobilizing techniques. The musculoskeletal system is also treated in manual therapy, but there is less emphasis on the person as a whole. Osteopaths do work holistically and more often treat by means of mobilizations. A big difference is that they mainly deal with complaints that have to do with the organs and the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid. They try to improve the mobility and blood flow of organs by means of specific techniques and thus to remedy complaints. Neither chiropractors nor manual therapists focus on this.

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Would you first like to know what chiropractic can do for you? Then come to the free consultation hour without obligation. All other days and times are by appointment. During the introductory meeting you will discuss your complaints with the chiropractor. The chiropractor will then advise which chiropractic treatments may offer a solution to your problem.

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