What is chiropractic and what are its applications?

In the constant search for wellness and pain relief, many people find themselves exploring different treatment options and therapies. Among these, chiropractic and physiotherapy stand out as two of the most effective and recognised.

In this article, from Élite Pilates, we delve into what chiropractic is, how it compares to physiotherapy and how both can be complementary, with a special focus on the offer of physiotherapy in Madrid, where qualified professionals work to improve the quality of life of their patients.

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health discipline that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly those affecting the spine and its relationship to the nervous system. The practice is based on the premise that many health problems stem from misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, which can interfere with the optimal functioning of the nervous system and thus affect the overall health of the individual.

Chiropractors use specific manual adjustments, applying controlled force to joints that have lost their normal movement. The goal of these adjustments is to restore mobility, relieve pressure on nerves and improve the body's functionality. These procedures are generally non-invasive and focus on encouraging the body's natural ability to heal itself.

In addition to spinal adjustments, chiropractors may employ a variety of techniques such as joint mobilisation, therapeutic exercises, and nutrition and lifestyle advice to improve a patient's overall well-being. This holistic approach makes chiropractic a popular choice for people seeking alternative treatments for chronic pain, especially that related to the neck, back and joints.

Chiropractic is recognised and regulated in many countries and requires specialised training in accredited programmes that include an in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and other health-related sciences. Chiropractors, as health professionals, are committed to the ethical code of their practice and to providing safe and effective care to their patients.

What is the difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic?

What do they do?

• Physiotherapy is much broader than chiropractic. Physiotherapy is a health profession with multiple therapeutic resources with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients. Physiotherapy is science, it treats through physical means, therapeutic exercise, massage therapy and electrotherapy.
• Chiropractic, on the other hand, can improve musculoskeletal and nerve problems through manipulations, especially at the vertebral level. The aim of this adjustment is to align the vertebra to its functional position. The crunch of manipulation

How do you diagnose each one?

In each case the patient may arrive with a medical diagnosis or not. In all cases the professional must carry out an assessment to make a physiotherapeutic or chiropractic diagnosis.

• The chiropractor: will conduct an interview and observe by palpating the joints to see their alignment in order to focus your treatment. In some cases, a spinal x-ray may be needed. He or she will look at the position of the bony structures.
• The physiotherapist: through the clinical interview and examination will make a diagnosis, and may also need imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) for a complete diagnosis. Imaging tests such as ultrasound can even be used during treatment and not only for diagnosis. You need a global vision of all the structures: muscular, osseous, nervous, tendon, ligament, etc.

How do they deal with each professional?

• The chiropractor will focus on making adjustments or joint manipulations, especially at the vertebral level, causing a crunch. The crunch has a physiological and psychological release effect.
• Physiotherapy, which depends on the structures affected, will provide one treatment or another. It is almost always combined with manual therapy. It aims to restore the mobility and functionality of the structures. It also seeks to reduce and eliminate pain. This can be done using multiple techniques and with the help of apparatus.

Depending on the pathology, it will be better to see one specialist or another. The chiropractic speciality can help if the cause of the pain is a vertebral or joint misalignment. Manipulation can align these structures, relieving pain and improving functionality. But this will not be enough from physiotherapy, we will have to work on the musculature and mobility so that it does not happen again.

The current situation in physiotherapy and chiropractic

Physiotherapy is regulated in Spain as a university degree and health profession. It has competences to improve pathologies at a musculoskeletal, nervous, fascial and even visceral level. Within this profession there are multiple specialities (sports, geriatric, paediatric, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, urogynaecological, obstetric, oncological, etc). Depending on the pathology within physiotherapy, there may be more specialised professionals to give you a better service.

In recent years chiropractic has gained increasing acceptance as a treatment for back and neck pain. So far the research records of its effectiveness are inconclusive. Currently in Spain it is classified as a pseudo-scientific alternative medicine. Chiropractic or chiropractic is recognised as a traditional complementary medicine by the WHO and has health status in more than 90 countries. It must be applied by qualified health professionals.