As May is the month in which we celebrate physiotherapy, we thought it would be an excellent opportunity to explain the differences between the different professionals such as chiropractors, physiotherapists, kinesiologists and osteopaths.
The chiropractor
They’re experts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neuro-musculoskeletal (NMS) disorders, i.e., the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. Training for chiropractors in Quebec has greatly evolved over the last 25 years. The program now includes doctoral training of 5,000 hours. One out of five Quebecers are reported to have consulted a chiropractor to treat back, hip and knee pain, migraines, sprains, etc.
The physiotherapist
The goal of physiotherapy is to restore a person’s physical abilities in the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological systems, in short, the physiotherapist aims to restore a patient’s motor skills. They’re therefore the specialists in physical rehabilitation. Their approach is to make a diagnosis, take and analyze x-rays, apply appropriate joint manipulations. It’s a doctoral training program.
The kinesiologist
They’re specialists in physical activity for the purposes of prevention, treatment and performance, as well as being a counsellor for helping others adopt healthy lifestyles. The kinesiologist has a university degree and sometimes related graduate studies. This professional supports and supervises an individual wishing to maintain or improve their physical condition, reduce the risk of disease and can also intervene to give advice to athletes.
The osteopath
The osteopathic approach is defined as manual therapy to restore the body’s balance and thus promote self-healing. Although very common in Quebec, osteopathy is not officially regulated so the osteopath’s training is still quite varied. A professional order of osteopaths is not yet present so they’re not legally recognized as health professionals. However, steps have been taken to remedy this and many patients opt for this type of treatment.
Different vocations and training, different approaches, everyone can choose their professional according to their needs and philosophy. It’s a great feeling to make that first appointment with the person in which we entrust our health.