🤔 Chiropractor vs. Physiotherapist: What’s the Difference?
Helping You Decide What’s Best for Your Health at Align and Restore Chiropractic, Pascoe Vale
If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or mobility issues, you might be wondering:
“Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist?”
Both are highly trained health professionals who help you move better and feel healthier, but their approaches and focus areas differ. At Align and Restore Chiropractic in Pascoe Vale, we want to help you understand those differences so you can make the best choice for your needs.
🩺 What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Focus: The spine and nervous system
Treatment: Manual spinal adjustments, joint mobilisations, soft tissue therapy, posture correction
Goal: Restore joint function, reduce nerve irritation, improve nervous system communication, and support whole-body wellness
Common conditions treated: Back pain, neck pain, headaches, sciatica, posture issues, joint dysfunction
Approach: Hands-on care aimed at improving spinal alignment and nervous system function
Chiropractic care is holistic — addressing structural causes of pain and dysfunction to improve how your body works overall.
🏋️♂️ What Does a Physiotherapist Do?
Focus: Muscles, joints, and movement rehabilitation
Treatment: Exercise prescription, manual therapy, electrotherapy, education on movement and injury prevention
Goal: Restore strength, flexibility, and function after injury, surgery, or illness
Common conditions treated: Sports injuries, post-surgical rehab, muscle strains, joint replacements, neurological conditions
Approach: Functional rehabilitation with a focus on movement retraining and strengthening
Physiotherapists help you regain movement and strength to return to daily activities or sport.
🔄 How Do They Work Together?
Chiropractors and physiotherapists often complement each other. For example:
If you have back pain caused by joint dysfunction, a chiropractor might restore joint movement.
If you then need to strengthen muscles to support the area, a physiotherapist might guide your rehab exercises.
At Align and Restore Chiropractic, we work closely with trusted physiotherapists in Pascoe Vale to provide coordinated care when needed.
💡 Which One Is Right for You?
If your pain is linked to spinal alignment, posture, or nerve irritation, chiropractic care is an excellent first step.
If you’re recovering from surgery, a major injury, or need targeted muscle strengthening, physiotherapy might be more appropriate.
Sometimes, a combined approach is best.
🧭 Not Sure Where to Start?
At Align and Restore Chiropractic, your first visit includes a thorough assessment and clear advice. If we think physiotherapy or another service is right for you, we’ll guide you to the best local professionals.
Our goal is your health — whatever path that takes.
📍 Ready to feel better? Book a consultation with Align and Restore Chiropractic in Pascoe Vale today — and take the first step toward a healthier, more mobile you.