Backstrong Non-Surgical Rehab Clinic

1
Decatur chiropractor and physical
therapy..whats the difference?
Chiropractors and physical therapists are
different in several ways, but they overlap a
good amount also. And the similarities and
differences vary among practitioners. Both use
some similar treatments that we call physical
medicine treatments. But each profession has its
own specialties as well. And there are also
considerable differences among chiropractors and
physical therapists within their own professions.
In the course of their education and clinical
careers individual practitioners in both
professions follow their own interests and
exercise their own judgments about which
treatments are more and less effective. So each
provider develops professional biases about what
works best. They may also be constrained by their
employers in how and what they practice.
As examples, they may all use electrical
stimulation, ultrasound, heat and ice, manual
therapy with their hands, exercises to include
stretching and strengthening, and patient
education to include ergonomics, biomechanics
advice and home exercises. Generally,
chiropractors are going to do more manual,
hand-related treatments, and physical therapists
are going to do more exercise instruction.
Chiropractors usually have more professional
autonomy and physical therapists are trying to
become independent providers by improving their
professional education to gain greater competency
in diagnosing pathology. That would permit them
to treat patients without a physicians
prescription.
2
There are strengths and weaknesses in all the
professions, and I think patients are best served
by providers that know what each other offers,
and works with the other professions. When I
graduated in 1987, I decided to learn more about
orthopedics and physical medicine and physical
therapy, so I spent 18 years in those fields. I
then spent 5 years in a neurosurgical practice
to learn more about surgical spinal treatment.
All of these experiences made me a better doctor
with patients. I was impressed with the
commitment and excellence of them all. So today
after 35 years of practice, seeing more than
40,000 patients, I have my own
clinically-informed biases about what treatments
work better and worse for most patients. And I
feel extremely grateful to have gained an
excellent working knowledge of non-surgical AND
SURGICAL treatments, and when they are indicated.
Unfortunately, most providers are in their own
niche their whole careers and never feel
competency in the other specialties. That is what
is great about interdisciplinary settings where
such providers can work together and teach each
other about patients pathologies and responses
to various treatments. If you are seeking
chiropractic or physical therapy in Decatur, Ga
Im Dr. Castanet. My number is 404-558-4015. My
website is backstrong.net and I have a YouTube
channel where you can learn more at Dr. Castanet