Have you ever sustained an injury after practising or performing aerial training? If so, you may be interested in either physiotherapy or osteopathy to help your body recover. However, these two practices have major differences, and everyone has a different opinion on which is better for injury recovery.
Which is best for you: physiotherapy or osteopathy? We’ll tell you in this brief guide.
What are Physiotherapy and Osteotherapy?
Before you choose between physio and osteo, you must understand that these are two very different types of therapy. Here are the core characteristics that make these two therapies unique:
- Physiotherapy is designed to help treat current ailments as well as help prevent future ones. It mainly focuses on improving your body’s movement and functionality by treating injuries, illnesses, and even some disabilities.
- Osteopathy is more specifically geared to fixing spinal issues. It uses specific motions and manipulations of your back to help reduce problems such as back pain and even some headaches.
What type of pain you are experiencing will determine which therapy you should seek.
What are the Key Treatments in Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy employs a variety of comprehensive treatments that impact the entire body. Some common treatments that therapists do include moving various joints and massaging specific muscles along your body. Another common treatment is to put you through various exercises designed to stretch and work different joints and muscles to make them strong again.
Using ice and heat to affect different muscles is another common method that is used. However, some less common forms of therapy may include electrical stimulation to restore muscle movement and laser treatment to ease muscle pain.
What are the Key Treatments in Osteotherapy?
Osteopathy is similar to physiotherapy in that it uses some hands-on techniques, though the types of manipulation can be very different. Massages are often used to help with your muscles. Stretches and articulation movements are also commonly used to soothe stiff joints to loosen up and regain some range of motion.
Another type of exercise used in osteopathy is called a high-velocity thrust. This movement can be similar to what a chiropractor might do to adjust someone’s back. Downward pressure onto your spine is applied during this exercise and will often result in your back popping or cracking.
When Do You Need Physiotherapy or Osteotherapy?
Several signs can indicate you need to seek either one of these therapies. The type of pain you experience should determine which treatment you should seek:
- You should go to a physiotherapist if you sustain an injury such as a broken or fractured foot, ankle, shoulder, or hip. You should also go if you find yourself experiencing various types of body pain, having a limited range of motion in your joints, or having severe headaches. Some illnesses, such as vertigo, carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic respiratory issues, may also warrant a trip to a physiotherapist.
- You should schedule an appointment with an osteopath when you experience back pain, joint pain, neck pain, and headaches. In some cases, you may wish to visit both therapists to understand better what you should be doing for your pain and how to prevent further injury.
The Right Therapy for You
Choosing between physiotherapy or osteopathy can be a bit confusing, especially when you are trying to figure out what is wrong with your body and where the pain is specifically coming from. However, once you know which therapy is better suited to your injury area, either of these therapies can help restore your body back to its former strength.
Just make sure to look at all the symptoms very carefully and figure out how you sustained any possible injuries. After examining the symptoms, call and schedule an appointment with one or both types of therapists. After that, sit down with them and discuss which treatments will be best for you.
I’ve always been curious about different massage techniques.
This post was a great introduction!
That’s fantastic to hear! We’re glad this post sparked your curiosity about massage techniques. There’s a whole world of massage out there, each with its own benefits and feel.