What's the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

Question

And how do I choose which one to see without a doctors referral

Answer 1

In addition to all the joints and bones and manipulation, an osteopath is also trained as a physician.  They have a deeper understanding of how the alignment of your body can affect your overall health.  On a personal note, I think that osteopaths have a better 'bedside manner', and have been taught how to better care for all of their patients' needs, physical, mental, and emotional...  

As far as choosing a doctor, I think that talking to patients is the best way to go.  Ask people you trust who they trust with their health.

Answer 2

one of them works in egypt

Answer 3

Chiropractors and osteopaths represent different schools of physical therapy that offer, amongst other things, manipulation of joints.  

Osteopathy and chiropractic share a common philosophy about the importance of the integrity of the spine in ensuring good health.

Osteopaths and chiropractors are both able to perform diagnosis by visual inspection and palpation (feeling by hand).

However, chiropractors usually also rely on x-rays for diagnosis. Osteopaths do not to order x-rays unless they are clinically indicated. This minimises a person's exposure to radiation.

They use different approaches of manipulation. Apart from manipulation, osteopaths use other techniques such as stretching, pressure and mobilisation. Osteopaths are also trained in cranial osteopathy or craniosacral therapy, which involve very subtle and gentle adjustments without any “clicking” of the joints. These techniques are seldom used by chiropractors

Another difference is that osteopaths do not “click back” a joint the way chiropractors do.

Some chiropractors are known to require or encourage their patients to sign on for a course of 12 or 24 or more treatments, even for minor complaints like lower back ache.

Osteopaths do not impose such requirements. Depending on a person's condition, some complaints may require just one or two treatments. It is only in very serious cases, such as scoliosis or abnormal curvature of the spine, that the patient is advised to undergo regular treatment over a prolonged period

The naturopaths would be wearing flowers and beads, while chiropractors would come with their suits and ties. Osteopathis were somewhere in between.

There are no comparative studies to suggest one is better. It really comes down to the personal choice of individuals.

The best thing to do would be to ask the opinion of other people who've consulted physical therapists in your local area, and then try the one with the best references.

Finally, an osteopath (DO) can prescribe meds while a chiropractor can't.  You can see either one without a doctor's referral.  

Now comes the difference between a doctor of medicine (MD) and a  doctor of osteopathy.(DO)

When one decides to become a doctor, there are actually two ways to achieve the title of doctor and practice medicine. One can become a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO). Both licenses allow one to practice medicine and have equally rigorous testing. The differences between an MD and a DO lie primarily in philosophy on how to practice medicine.

DO practices osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT), which means slight manipulations of the spine or simply laying hands on the body to confirm diagnosis. This method of diagnosis may take slightly more time than that of the traditional MD symptoms and tests diagnosis.

The difference between an MD and a DO is in the approach of the medical education. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes the whole person, and the connection between the musculoskeletal system and disease and symptoms.

Osteopathic medicine is dedicated to treating and healing the entire patient as a whole, rather than focusing on one system or body part. An osteopathic physician will often use a treatment method called manipulation -- a hands-on approach to assure that the body is moving freely. This free motion ensures that all of your body's natural healing systems are free to work unhindered.

Answer 4

chriopractor - not a real doctor. he more or less cracks your bones to make them and your joints not so stiff, can be seen just for relaxation purposes

osteopath - a person who prescribes medecine and also crack your bones to make your joints not so stiff, but his treatment is used for therapy and can help him prescribe you what medicine you may need, if you need any at all.

basically a chiropractor is fake doctor who gives you a massage and a osteopath actually went to college and can prescribe medecine for your bone/joint problem.