Physiotherapists and Chiropractors aim to help their patients improve their ability to function and move normally while attempting to reduce a patient's pain. Because both professionals involve working with a patient's ability to move and the reduction of pain, many people get the two fields confused.

Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches. Doctors of chiropractic may also be referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians. They practice a hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills, and are also trained to use modalities like Ultrasound and IFC or recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling.

Chiropractic is a health care discipline based on the scientific premise that important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine, and pelvis) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. They also focus on the fact that muscle attach to bone and therefore joint function should be maintained in order to restore optimum muscle function.

The moving bones of the spine protect the intricate communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If these nervous system pathways are impaired, malfunction of the tissue and organ function throughout the body can result.
Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutrition and exercise, wellness and healthy lifestyle modifications.

Chiropractors in the 21st century treat more than the spine, to the point that the director of the sports medicine clinics for the United States Olympic Committee is now a chiropractor.

Physical therapists are health care professionals who maintain, restore, and improve movement, activity, and health while ensuring patient safety and applying evidence to provide efficient and effective care. In addition, physical therapists are involved in promoting health, wellness, and fitness through risk factor identification and the implementation of services to reduce risk, slow the progression of or prevent functional decline and disability, and enhance participation in chosen life situations. Physiotherapists do not perform manipulations and generally perform mostly soft tissue treatment which includes work on muscles, tendons ligaments and so on. Physical therapists have traditionally worked in hospitals or private physical therapy practice, including home physical therapy practice. Physical therapists also work in the professional sports and university settings. They do not make use of the manipulation of the joints as a treatment protocol.

So the long and the short of it is that chiropractors have a more expansive diagnostic education, while physical therapists have an intervention or therapeutic based education. While chiropractors can provide services such as rehabilitative exercise and modality treatments, their main form of treatment remains the manipulation. Physical therapists may provide manual therapy-like techniques to their patients, but therapeutic exercise, modalities and activity modification remain the foundation of physical therapy practice.

To conclude, the two professions have converged to the point that some prominent individuals in each profession have begun to discuss the unthinkable: merger. It would not be out of the question to see the first combined chiropractic–physical therapy program within the next 15-20 years.

With his or her hands, the chiropractor moves a joint a little further than the patient would be able to do on their own. When some adjusting techniques are applied, a popping/cracking sound may be heard. This sound is merely due to the gas and fluid inside the joint shifting around. It’s much like opening a can of coke.

The vacuum that exists in most joints in the body is overcome and small bubbles of gas are created in the synovial fluid between the joints. These bubbles can cause the audible 'snap', which can often accompany manipulation. However, the sound has nothing to do with the quality of the manipulation or adjustment. This sound is also not caused by bones grating against each other or by something being torn. Such 'high velocity low amplitude thrusts' will be avoided in patients with a history of severe neck injury or joint instability or diseases such as osteoporosis.

Virtually all medical aids provide reimbursement for Chiropractic care. However it depends on each person’s payment option and plan on their medical aid as to the extent to which they are covered. The best option to find out if you are covered by your medical aid to receive Chiropractic Care is to contact your medical aid and ask them yourself. We will provide you with all the information you need to get reimbursement from your medical aid. Because we do not directly claim from the medical aid, we can keep our prices lower, and you can expect to deal with our office directly regarding your finances.

As with everything in life and every medical intervention; Chiropractic care does have its own set of risks. These can include an aggravation of any inflammatory condition, neuromusculoskeletal sprain or strain, osseous dislocation or fracture and very rarely a vertebral artery syndrome. Your Chiropractor is however especially trained to look out for any sign or symptom suggesting any of the above and knows how and when to address every specific condition/symptom.
These potential risks should be considered when making your decision to receive Chiropractic care, however it is interesting to know that you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning (1 in 100 000) than suffering from a complication of a spinal manipulation (1 in 1 000 000). If the cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance is any indication of the safety of Chiropractic treatment, then it’s very safe…

Yes, we adjust kids of all ages and sizes for all kinds of reasons. We commonly help children with things you might expect like falls, sports injuries or scoliosis. But we also help kids with health challenges like ear infections, feeding problems, growing pains, headaches and indigestion. If it seems strange to think about adjusting a baby, consider this: Two of the most common ways to develop nerve-irritating misalignments are by passing through the birth canal and by falling while learning how to walk. We love helping kids optimize their health and get a great start to life with regular chiropractic care—and parents love having healthy, drug-free kids!

We are happy to say that our rates are 100% within the suggested medical aid rates (Discovery rates) and should there not be a problem with your medical aid you should be reimbursed in full for each treatment session.
Your first appointment costs R430 and includes all diagnostic procedures including treatment. Every appointment thereafter is R350 and includes continues re-evaluation, treatment and advice. Each session is 30 minutes long.

Absolutely not! Chiropractors recognize that there are many things that can go wrong with the body and often either medication or surgery are the only appropriate option. Each Chiropractor is trained to know when they can help and when it is time to refer the patient to another health care professional.

No. The length of a person’s chiropractic care is based on the health goals of that individual. Some people choose to be treated just until their symptoms go away and they are pain free. Others choose to make chiropractic care a part of their regular health care plan for themselves and their families. They choose this option both because they realize the benefits of continued chiropractic care, but also because they have learned how the body works.
As an example, consider the field of orthodontics. You may begin with a treatment plan to widen the palette, and then add braces to re-align the teeth. You understand the need to return regularly for adjustments to the braces in order to train the jaw bones. After the braces are removed, you return for regular check-ups until your orthodontic work is complete. Then you continue seeing a dentist for cleaning and regular maintenance of the teeth. The bones of the spine also need regular adjustments to keep them in optimal health. The doctor will make her best recommendations for you, but ultimately, how long you benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

Yes, since 1994, Chiropractic care has been covered by COIDS. Therefore any injury which occurs whilst on duty may be treated by a Chiropractor without referral from another physician. All costs including X-rays, if necessary, will be reimbursed by COIDS.