Chiropractor or Physiotherapist : Can you see both?

We are often asked whether you can combine Chiropractic care with other modalities such as Physiotherapy or massage. The short answer to this question is that you can, of course, but at the right time. This blog post will give a few handy tips and tricks to help you know when the right time is for you.

Understanding whether to see a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist

Both Chiropractic and Physiotherapy are different disciplines and are often quite different. Whilst there can sometimes be a degree of overlap in some of the tests, examinations or even what we do in clinic, the care you receive may be very different and both require different skills sets, expertise and training. Seeing both practitioners as part of a fuller care plan can sometimes be quite valuable too, depending on your circumstances.

Understanding whether to start off with Chiropractic or Physiotherapy is very much dependant on your circumstances. If in doubt, our top tip is to contact your chosen practitioner and ask them for advice. Good things to look out for are that they explain what they are doing before doing it, give you ample opportunity to make informed decisions and that you can be relaxed with them.

Award winning Basingstoke Chiropractor, James Harrison at the INSPIRE business awards 2017

Click to find out what to expect at your first Chiropractic session

Click here

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TIME TO MIX YOUR SESSIONS

There is often a best time to seek out assistance with a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist in addition to your current care.

Sometimes more is less. It is very easy to do too much in one go, especially if you find that you are in pain. Giving your body chance to accommodate your Chiropractic or Physiotherapy care is important, especially in the initial acute stages. Both you, your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist want to be able to track the success of your care and ensure they can do what is best for you. Mixing too early on can sometimes mean that you are not giving your body sufficient chance to heal or accommodate the care and you can lose track on what is effective for you or not.

The human body is interrelated in many ways and even despite seeing two practitioners for different conditions or problems can sometimes create complication in your care. Depending on what we are doing, it can sometimes cloud the results for us or your other practitioner.

In general, our clinic suggests that the best time to add in additional care is after the initial pain phase of your care, when we are looking to take your care further to correct or stabilise the underlying issues in your circumstance. However one size very rarely fits all so, as always, our top tip is to ask your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist if in doubt.

Give your body chance to heal after seeing your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist

If you are planning to mix your care with other treatments, it is wise to let your practitioner know so that they can work with this in mind. Most practitioners tend to suggest leaving 24-48 hours between sessions to allow your body to integrate and overcome your session. It is wise to leave yourself this time before booking something else in, no matter what the treatment is that you select.

Remember your right to choose

Be wary of practitioners that tell you that you can only see them. Of course, as a patient, it’s your body and you have a right to choose and consent to your care. Your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist will respect your health care choices but it is their responsibility to advise using both their expertise and knowledge as well as through using the best available evidence. Again, if in doubt, our advice is to ask questions.

Say if you are leaving care early or planning to mix

It is always good to let your practitioner know if you are thinking of leaving care early. This isn’t only so that your Chiropractor can explain to you what stage you are at and offer you advise, but it also allows your practitioner to ensure the end of your care is recorded properly. It also means that the clinic is aware of what is going on. Should you be happy for us to do so, we might be able to talk to your other practitioner to ensure that care is continued.

Connective Chiropractic Care Plans

We offer bespoke care plans that tailor our care to your needs. We are open and adaptable to your wishes, however our care plans are designed to offer you a journey from pain through to maintenance and wellbeing care.