Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Therapy, and Occupational Therapy: What are the differences?
Physical Therapy is a type of treatment specific to abnormal physical function – in this case, any injury, disease, disability, or any condition that impairs the body’s normal physical function is subject to physical therapy. The goal of this therapy is to focus on patients recover range of motion and decrease pain, usually after an injury or illness.
Chiropractic Therapy is used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue through hands-on spinal manipulation. Regular chiropractic “adjustments” are used to prevent injuries, maintain wellness. The goal of chiropractic care is to find and correct any issue before it becomes a major problem.
Occupational Therapy is a treatment that helps people with pain, injuries, illnesses, or disabilities continue on with their jobs, schoolwork, household chores, and any other physical activity. The goal of this type of therapy is to improve upon a client’s ability to perform activities of daily living.
What are examples of what I might experience with each type of therapy?
With physical therapy, you may experiences treatments that are focused on pain relief, such as massage (or other manual therapy), hydrotherapy, ultrasound, TENS units, hot and cold therapy, exercise, and other tactics. Chiropractic techniques often include hands-on adjustments, the realignment of joints, which can reduce pain and stiffness while increasing mobility. There are specially designed adjustment tables, as well as some handheld adjusting instruments that will help the chiropractor do their work more efficiently. Lastly, occupational therapy will involve the therapist assessing how you perform tasks or activities, and then present specific plans to improve your performance. Occupational therapy mostly includes physical exercise or movement to help gain strength and balance back to the areas that have been weakened due to injury or illness, such as yoga poses, push ups, squeezing putty or play dough – it’s all very relative to the issue at hand.
How MedAmerica can help?
Our physical therapists, chiropractors, and occupational therapists in Deerfield Beach are trained and licensed to examine, evaluate, diagnose, and treat impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients. Our entire staff is dedicated to helping you feel better. Our compassionate and educated chiropractors will work with you every step of the way. Results of an injury can vary from person to person, so we look forward to speaking with you to see how we can help you feel better.