09/08/2025
To provide you with some other differences between chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists:-
Chiropractors are trained to take and read X-rays - osteopaths and physios aren’t. Thus, chiropractors assess X-rays themselves and write their own reports on their X-ray findings, and can explain what’s on an X-ray to a patient, whereas osteopaths and physios have to rely on the reports made by third parties.
Chiropractors treat on mechanised benches, that provides many more treatment modalities than osteopaths and physios, who only treat on fixed plinths.
Chiropractors train for 5 years to become qualified, whereas osteopaths train for 4 years and physios train for 3.
Thus, there is a greater depth of knowledge of the human body as well as a greater knowledge of the variety of conditions a patient can suffer, as well as a greater scope of treatment options, due to that additional training.
Even so, patients will find osteopaths and physiotherapists charging very similar, if not the same fees as chiropractors, even though their knowledge and their treatment options are less than offered at a chiropractic clinic.
We hope this assists in your greater understanding of the differences between the three musculoskeletal professions.