chiropractor or physio before work

Guffy

Lower back has been in bits all week so have to go to see someone.

Firstly do i go to a chiropractor or a physio? What's the difference between the two?

Secondly am i wasting my time doing it before work? I start at 3 and there will be some lifting involved.

locum-motion

gufc21 wrote: »

...
Firstly do i go to a chiropractor or a physio? What's the difference between the two?..

The word 'Physio' usually refers to a 'Chartered Physiotherapist'. A Chartered Physiotherapist is a member of a regulated profession, who has been educated to at least BSc level in a recognised University.

'Physical Therapists' also exist. Use of that name is not (AFAIK) legally protected - anyone can call themselves one. Highly educated/trained PT's do exist, but the title itself is not a guarantee of their qualifications.

A 'Chiropractor' is a person who has been trained in a 'college' that is recognised by nobody but chiropractors themselves in a 'profession' that was entirely invented by DD Palmer and his son BJ Palmer from about 1895 and which promotes profoundly unscientific and antiscientific treatments. Chiropractors themselves call their 'qualification' "D.C." which stands for "Doctor of Chiropractic" but they are not doctors in the sense of any of the usually accepted meanings of the word (ie they are not medical doctors, nor have they been awarded a Doctorate degree by any recognised institution). In short, they are quacks.

Guffy

So physical therapist would be your advice then?

What about doing so before work?

Taco Chips

Go to a physiotherapist. They know what they are doing and they are qualified, educated professionals. If your back is causing you pain then I would not advise doing any activity that will make it worse (lifting). Get a sick note.

locum-motion

gufc21 wrote: »

So physical therapist would be your advice then?..

How did you get that from what I wrote?

Guffy

locum-motion wrote: »

How did you get that from what I wrote?

Ha ha sorry i actually meant to write physiotherapist

Guffy

Taco Chips wrote: »

Go to a physiotherapist. They know what they are doing and they are qualified, educated professionals. If your back is causing you pain then I would not advise doing any activity that will make it worse (lifting). Get a sick note.

Can't afford too unfortunately. My options are to go on a day I'm working or to go on a scheduled day off

RobFowl

Mod note
Be aware that asking for or giving medical advice is not allowed here.
I'm not closing this thread yet but its treading a fine line ...
Rob

trowel

locum-motion wrote: »

The word 'Physio' usually refers to a 'Chartered Physiotherapist'. A Chartered Physiotherapist is a member of a regulated profession, who has been educated to at least BSc level in a recognised University.

'Physical Therapists' also exist. Use of that name is not (AFAIK) legally protected - anyone can call themselves one. Highly educated/trained PT's do exist, but the title itself is not a guarantee of their qualifications.

A 'Chiropractor' is a person who has been trained in a 'college' that is recognised by nobody but chiropractors themselves in a 'profession' that was entirely invented by DD Palmer and his son BJ Palmer from about 1895 and which promotes profoundly unscientific and antiscientific treatments. Chiropractors themselves call their 'qualification' "D.C." which stands for "Doctor of Chiropractic" but they are not doctors in the sense of any of the usually accepted meanings of the word (ie they are not medical doctors, nor have they been awarded a Doctorate degree by any recognised institution). In short, they are quacks.

Chiropractors cannot get an education in Ireland currently. Many of the colleges that do provide a chiropractic education (most to MSc level) are recognised are run along with the biomedical science faculty of their affiliated unicersity eg Denmark, Switzerland.
Their are also private institutions most of which are a 5 year full time program with a syllibus almost identical to a medical/physiotherapy/pharmacy/dentistry for the first two years (pre-med). The remaining years are obviously directed more towards, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, radiology and the 'art' of making adjustments to the spine. This is something that obviously takes much practice to do safely and effectively.
Their 'treatments' are far from unsounded, and are effective for many forms of spine and musculoskeletal issues. A quick pubmed search would enlighten you to a world which is moving on quickly in the area.
The reason the profession is relatively new is because it did not have a name.
Bone setting and spinal manipulation were (and still are) being used all over the world in many guises. A GP near me took a 'weekend' couse in spinal manipulation and practiced it widely in the 1980's, considering himself an expert in tretming back problems. On the other hand, Egyption wall paintings dating back 1000's of years show people receiving spinal manipulation.
The profession has also been seeking 'regulation' and 'protection of title' for many years in Ireland now but this has been very low on a 'healthcare' system so busy putting out fires and protecting their own interests.
In the UK, it is regulated as it is in Scandanavia, US, Australia.
IReland is the only English speaking country where it is unregulated as far as i know.
Although opinions can be helpful when they are informed, please do your homework before blurting out what first comes into your mind. Logic and science go well together but they will not answer all lifes riddles.

RobFowl

Mod note
Could people espousing the benefits or the lack of same of chiropractors please add references?
Thank you
Rob

trowel

So with regards to education for example, the GCC is the governing body in UK that looks after education standards.
Their site https://www.gcc-uk.org/education/overview/ explains further.

Another comparison of their relative time spent on the various subjects by MD's and DV'c can be seen here:
http://backtochiropractic.net/PDF/Chiropractic%20Education%20VS%20Medical%20Education.pdf

With regard to effectiveness, patient satisfaction, safety and types of conditions that chiropractic (manual therapy) is effective for, some quick references comparing to standard medical care, physio etc

Meade et al BMJ (1995) vol 311
Korthas-de Bos et al (2003) BMJ
Hoving et al (2002), Annals of Internal Medicine
Meeker, Haldeman (2002), Annals of Internal Medicine

The WHO also has a large, comprehensive document on their website dated 2005 titled 'WHO giudelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic.