Ailments related to the musculoskeletal system are helped by both osteopathy and physiotherapy. Indeed, they constitute a system for the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. They belong to non-invasive therapies that aim to improve the functioning of all body systems. Both methods are based on medical knowledge, knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and can complement pharmacological or surgical treatment. So what is the difference between an osteopath and a physiotherapist?
What does a physiotherapist do?
Physiotherapy is the medical science of maintaining, developing and restoring human mobility. Among other things, it deals with the elimination of pain and the improvement of physical abilities after accidents and in the event of, painful conditions, e.g. of the spine, knees or elbows.
Physiotherapy practitioners must have a five-year master's degree so that they can diagnose and treat patients independently.They can, for example, deal with the rehabilitation of athletes, support people after accidents or treat muscle pain, joint pain and postural defects with methods such as:
- massage;
- laser therapy;
- therapeutic bath;
- therapeutic gymnastics;
- electrotherapy;
- ultrasound.
As part of the treatment, the physiotherapist selects an appropriate rehabilitation programme, tailored to the specific needs of the body. Most often, people come to physiotherapy clinics:
- with neurological damage,
- post-stroke,
- with chronic diseases;
- with osteoporosis,
- post-injury,
- after operations,
- with pain,
- with damaged joints or broken bones,
- with postural defects.
What are the tasks of an osteopath?
Osteopathy is based on manual therapy and focuses on a holistic approach to the patient, To qualify as an osteopath, you must already be a medical doctor or physiotherapist, after which you must complete a five-year osteopathic degree and pass a clinical examination.
The osteopath may implement techniques such as:
- muscle energisation technique;
- trigger point therapy;
- cranio-sacral therapy;
- ligamentous tension balancing technique.
The osteopath is equipped with knowledge of, among other things, anatomy, physiology or biomechanics, which allows him or her to sense abnormalities by touch. Osteopathy focuses mainly on the inner workings of muscles, joints, skeleton, nerves, tissue and internal organs as a whole. Its founder is the American physician Andrew Taylor Still, It uses three basic diagnostic tools: sight, hearing and feeling. It uses non-invasive manual techniques, which include:deep massage, manipulation, traction and others. Osteopathy is not based on medication and patients' ailments are not silenced but eliminated by this method.
The aim of osteopathy is first and foremost to prevent the problem from worsening. It is based on the body's natural ability to heal itself, The treatment also focuses on reducing the risk of future injury and influences us, among other things:
- greater joint mobility;
- increased resistance of the limbs to mechanical trauma;
- general relaxation of the body and reduction of tension.
Physiotherapy and osteopathy - what are the similarities and differences between them?
Both osteopathy and physiotherapy are based on documented medical knowledge. Differences between them are evident in the way in which the problem presented by the patient is solved. The physiotherapist and the osteopath think differently and will approach the medical problem differently. For example, in the case of a patient with a knee injury, the physiotherapist will examine which structures in the musculoskeletal system have been damaged and look for a method to reduce the damage and restore lost function. An osteopath, on the other hand, will not only work directly with the damaged structures within the musculoskeletal system. He or she will also look at improving the blood supply to the lymphatic flow, and the techniques he or she uses will also affect the nervous system to calm the plexus in the area of injury and remove trauma within the tissues.
Osteopaths look at the patient in a holistic way, paying attention to the co-operation of all our body systems in both the bodily and emotional spheres. Physiotherapists, on the other hand, do not base so much of their work on solving emotional problems.
Physiotherapy and osteopathy - methods of treatment
Physiotherapy: Treatment in physiotherapy often includes exercise programmes, which aim to strengthen specific muscles, improve stabilisation and increase flexibility. Physiotherapists can also use a variety of physical devices such as lasers, ultrasound or electrotherapyto support regenerative processes in tissues.
Osteopathy: In osteopathy, there is a strong emphasis on manipulation of the spine and other joints to restore balance to the body. Osteopaths use manipulative techniques to improve blood and lymph flow, which supports the body's natural regenerative processes.
Summary
Physiotherapy and osteopathy are two complementary disciplines that aim to improve the health and quality of life of patients through a variety of approaches to treating musculoskeletal conditions. Physiotherapy focuses on the mechanical and functional aspects of treatment, often using diagnostic imaging tools and exercise programmes. Osteopathy, on the other hand, is based on a holistic philosophy, with an emphasis on manual manipulation and supporting the body's natural regenerative processes.
Both approaches have their unique advantages and can be used complementarily, depending on the patient's needs. It is important that the patient, when choosing the appropriate form of therapy, consults with a qualified professional who can help tailor a treatment plan to their individual needs.
