What Is the Difference Between Physiotherapy and Chiropractic?
If you’re dealing with back pain, a sports injury, or ongoing stiffness, you’ve probably been told to see either a physiotherapist or a chiropractor. On the surface, they can seem pretty similar. Both work with the body, both treat pain, and both often focus on the spine. That overlap is what makes the choice confusing for many people.
The real difference comes down to how they approach treatment, what they focus on, and what kind of outcome you’re looking for.
Summary: Physiotherapy and chiropractic care both aim to reduce pain and improve how your body feels, but they take different paths to get there. Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement, strength, and function through hands-on treatment and exercise-based rehab, while chiropractic care centres more on spinal alignment and adjustments. Knowing how each works can help you choose the right option for your injury, pain, or long-term goals.
What does a physiotherapist do?
Physiotherapy is all about how your body moves and functions. A physiotherapist looks at the bigger picture, not just where it hurts, but why it hurts and how your movement patterns may be contributing to the problem.
Physiotherapy is commonly used for:
Sports injuries
Back and neck pain
Scoliosis and spinal disorders
Joint and muscle injuries
Treatment usually includes a combination of hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, and tailored exercise programs. These exercises aren’t generic. They’re designed to improve strength, mobility, control, and confidence in movement, so pain is less likely to return.
At A Plus Physio Rochedale, physiotherapy is built around movement medicine. That means helping your body move better, not just feel better for a short time.
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractic care focuses primarily on the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors aim to improve spinal alignment, often through spinal adjustments or manipulations.
Chiropractic treatment is commonly sought for:
Back pain
Neck pain
Headaches
Spinal stiffness
Sessions often involve quick, controlled adjustments to the spine. Some people find this helpful for short-term pain relief or stiffness, particularly if the issue feels very spinal and joint-related.
Chiropractic care typically involves less exercise-based rehab and more emphasis on spinal alignment as the main driver of pain relief.
Physiotherapy vs chiropractic: the key differences
The biggest difference between physiotherapy and chiropractic care is their overall approach.
Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement and function. It looks at muscles, joints, posture, strength, and how you move in everyday life or sport. Treatment plans usually change as you progress.
Chiropractic care focuses more narrowly on spinal alignment and adjustments, with the belief that correcting spinal issues can reduce pain and improve health.
In simple terms, physiotherapy treats pain by improving how your body works, while chiropractic care treats pain mainly through spinal adjustments.
Which is better for sports injuries?
For sports injuries, physiotherapy is usually the better option. Injuries from running, lifting, or contact sports often involve muscles, tendons, joints, and movement control, not just the spine.
A physiotherapist can assess how the injury is affecting your performance and build a rehab plan that helps you return to sport safely and confidently. Hands-on treatment and dry needling can help manage pain early, while exercises address the underlying cause.
Chiropractic care may help with spinal stiffness, but it usually doesn’t provide the same level of injury-specific rehab.
What about scoliosis and spinal conditions?
Conditions like scoliosis and chronic spinal pain benefit from a structured, long-term approach. Physiotherapy is often recommended because it focuses on strength, posture, control, and movement patterns that support the spine over time.
Physiotherapy doesn’t just aim to reduce pain. It helps you understand your condition and gives you tools to manage it day to day.
Can you see both a physiotherapist and a chiropractor?
Some people do, but it’s not always necessary. In many cases, physiotherapy already includes hands-on spinal techniques alongside exercise-based rehab. This means you’re addressing pain and movement in one place, rather than splitting care across multiple providers.
If your goal is long-term improvement rather than short-term relief, a physiotherapy-led approach is often more practical.
How to choose the right treatment for you
If you’re deciding between physiotherapy and chiropractic care, think about what you want to achieve.
If you want help getting back to sport, work, or exercise, physiotherapy is usually the better fit
If you prefer a movement-based approach with long-term results, physiotherapy makes sense
If your pain feels very joint or spine-specific and you’re seeking short-term relief, chiropractic care may help
A proper assessment will always give you the clearest direction.
Key takeaways
Physiotherapy focuses on movement, strength, and long-term function
Chiropractic care focuses mainly on spinal alignment and adjustments
Sports injuries and spinal disorders often respond better to physiotherapy
Exercise-based rehab is a key part of physiotherapy treatment
FAQs
Is physiotherapy safer than chiropractic care?
Both are regulated professions. Physiotherapy tends to use a wider range of techniques, including exercise-based rehab, which many people prefer for long-term management.
Do I need a referral for physiotherapy?
No referral is needed to book a physiotherapy appointment.
Can physiotherapy include spinal treatment?
Yes. Physiotherapists commonly use hands-on spinal techniques alongside exercises and movement retraining.
Finding the Best Treatment for Long-Term Pain Relief
If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy or chiropractic care is right for you, a professional assessment can clarify things. At A Plus Physio Rochedale, we specialise in sports injuries, scoliosis, and spinal disorders, using hands-on manual therapy, dry needling, and movement medicine to help you move better and feel stronger.
Book an appointment today and get treatment that’s built around your body and your goals.