[Clutch]

I'd rather have the guy who can order x-rays and is licensed to diagnose treat me, my chiropractor. Last I heard, no physio can do either. True or false?

Originally Posted by Drury18

Based on the two doctorate degree's, who would you rather have treat you:

Doctor of Physiotherapy:
The professional (entry-level) DPT degree is the current degree conferred by 96% of physical therapist professional programs upon successful completion of a three-year post-baccalaureate degree program in the United States, that prepares the graduate to enter the practice of physical therapy. Admission requirements for the program include completion of an undergraduate degree that includes fulfillment of specific prerequisite coursework, volunteer experience or other exposure to the profession, completion of a standardized graduate examination (eg, GRE), letters of reference, personal goals statement, passing the national licensure examination and meeting the requirements of the state(s) in which the physical therapist practices. The physical therapist curriculum consists of foundational sciences (ie, anatomy, cellular histology, neuroscience, kinesiology, physiology, exercise physiology, pathology, pharmacology, radiology/imaging, medical screening), behavioral sciences (communication, social and psychologic factors, ethics and values, law, business and management sciences, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice) and clinical sciences (cardiovascular/pulmonary, endocrine and metabolic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular), and physical therapist practice (patient/client management model, prevention, wellness, and health promotion, practice management, management of care delivery, social responsibility and advocacy, and core values). In addition, learners under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, engage in full-time clinical practice by managing patients/clients with a variety of conditions across the lifespan and with an expectation of providing safe, competent, and effective physical therapy.

Or a Chiropractor:
In addition to the academic program, chiropractic education requires hands-on clinical experience under faculty supervision. This experience includes clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and referral protocols. The multi-disciplinary faculty at both CMCC and UQTR have diverse backgrounds including MD's and PhD's that offer students a wide range of expertise in the medical and clinical sciences. Both the CMCC and the UQTR programs include courses in anatomy, neuroanatomy, neurodiagnosis, neuroscience, biochemistry, physiology, orthopaedics, diagnosis and symptomotalogy, laboratory diagnosis, embryology, principles of chiropractic, radiology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, clinical nutrition and other basic and clinical medical sciences.

Physiotherapists are far better educated in the body mechanics meaning that not only can they provide treatment, but are in a far better position to offer preventive measures so that you can make habit and lifestyle changes in order to correct the problem. Chiropractors just offer a "band-aid" solution to your aches and pains and rarely look into the bigger picture. Yes, physiotherapy takes longer to "cure" your pains, but it is because it is encouraging you to do things in a way that the body does not go through unnatural trauma (i.e. neck manipulations leading to strokes. You can't argue that's natural in anyway if the body response is to stroke) and at a pace that less damaging to the body. Chiropractors can give you quick relief through unnatural movements.




http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=1037