Osteopathy versus Physiotherapy

Osteopathy and physiotherapy, although there are minor differences between the said branches of medicine, are both geared towards the alleviation of pain one feels in his or her muscles. Both are also focused in restoring movement, balance, flexibility and function to muscle groups that are in question in order to allow patients perform their daily tasks and responsibilities as they normally should. However, the only difference is in osteopathy, an osteopath is concerned with the entire medical history of the patient in order to pinpoint the reason why there is discomfort or pain felt. 

For an osteopath, in order to achieve holistic recovery, all the parts that comprise the entire body should be investigated. Moreover, for an osteopath, the body has the natural capacity to heal itself. That said, if a certain pain is felt in the upper and lower leg of a person, chances are the body parts near the legs such as the shins and the ankles are also likely to feel the discomfort, which in effect may cause either the shins or ankles to swell and render the patient unable to walk or run. 

Unlike a physiotherapist Singapore who will mostly likely focus on the recovery of the body part or muscle group that is in question, an osteopath will always involve the other body parts in the recovery plan. For instance, if a patient is complaining of back pains, an osteopath will recommend several exercises not specifically targeted on the back. These exercises for back pain will mostly likely include pelvic tilt exercises, neck release exercises, buttock strengthening exercises; back leg lifts and seated twist exercises. You will see that these exercises did not involve the back purposefully but it targeted the different areas that are congruent to the back muscles. 

For a physiotherapist, the best way to alleviate and address back pains would be the administration of manual therapy in the form of massages. These massages are targeted to relax the muscles in question as well as improve the circulation. With massages, the tensions in the soft tissues are eliminated. Whether you seek an osteopath or a physiotherapist is definitely up to you. At the end of the day, both an osteopath and physio Singapore are helpful professionals in pain management and alleviation.