If you’re in pain — whether it’s your back, neck, shoulder, or joints — you’ve probably wondered:
“Should I see a physio or a chiropractor?”
They both help with pain and movement, but they approach the body very differently.
What’s the Difference Between The Backstory, and the NHS Physio I Saw?
It’s a fair question. Especially if you’ve already seen an NHS physiotherapist and didn’t get the results you were hoping for.
So let’s break this down clearly — without jargon, without judgment — just honest information to help you understand the difference in training, approach, and treatment philosophy.
Because while chiropractors and physiotherapists both work with the body, we’re not doing the same thing.
Different Areas of Expertise
Physiotherapists are trained in rehabilitation — helping people recover movement and strength after injury, surgery, or illness. Their work is often focused on restoring function through exercises, stretches, and movement re-education.
Chiropractors, on the other hand, are spinal and nervous system specialists. We focus on the structure of the body, especially the spine, and how it affects the way your nervous system functions. Why? Because every nerve in your body originates from your spinal cord — and misalignments in the spine can interfere with how well those nerves communicate with the rest of your body.
So the goal isn’t just to improve movement — it’s to correct the underlying structure that could be causing the problem in the first place.
Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment
Many people say their NHS physio experience looked like this:
• A brief assessment
• A print-out of exercises
• A few short appointments spaced weeks apart
This isn’t the fault of the physios — they’re highly trained professionals. But they’re working within an overstretched system, often limited by time and resources. They may not be able to provide the frequency, depth, or continuity of care you need for a long-standing or complex issue.
In contrast, chiropractic care is private by nature, which means we’re able to:
• Spend more time on a full assessment
• Look at posture, structure, movement patterns, and compensations
• Provide hands-on, personalised care
• See you more frequently (especially during corrective phases)
• Track progress over time
It’s not better — it’s just a different model of care.
Corrective vs. Supportive Care
Physiotherapy often focuses on rehabilitation — strengthening weak muscles, improving range of motion, or supporting recovery after injury.
Chiropractic (especially structural techniques like Advanced Biostructural Correction™) focuses on correction — identifying where your structure is out of alignment, and where your body is compensating as a result.
For example, if your spine is tilting forward and your muscles are overworking to hold you up, we’re not going to give you stretches to release the tight muscles — we’ll work on correcting the tilt that’s causing the tension in the first place.
We’re looking to address the root cause, not just manage the symptoms.
Training and Philosophy
Chiropractors train for 4 to 5 years, studying anatomy, neurology, radiology, orthopaedics, and clinical diagnostics. They specialise in the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, and bones) and how structure affects function. Most also go on to do additional postgraduate training in advanced techniques like ABC, paediatrics, or sports chiropractic.
Physiotherapists also undergo 3–4 years of university training and may work in a wide variety of settings — hospitals, community care, or private practice. Their training is broader, but less focused on the spine and posture specifically.
In other words, chiropractors are structural specialists. NHS physios are often generalists working in a medical setting with limited time and a huge range of cases.
So Which One Is Right for You?
That depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’ve had surgery, a recent injury, or need help with rehabilitation — physiotherapy is a fantastic choice.
If you’ve been dealing with recurring pain, poor posture, misalignment, or issues that haven’t resolved with exercise alone — chiropractic care (especially structural correction) may be the missing piece.
It’s not about one being better than the other.
It’s about choosing the right tool for the job.
Can They Work Together?
Absolutely — many people benefit from using both.
A chiropractor to correct structure and remove the barriers to function
A physio to rebuild strength and retrain movement after correction
Together, they help your body move better, feel better, and perform better
The Bottom Line
It’s not about who’s better — it’s about who’s right for your body.
If your body feels stuck, out of sync, or like it’s in a long-term compensation pattern — chiropractic may be the best place to start.
If you’re recovering from an injury and need guidance rebuilding strength — physiotherapy might be the answer.
Still not sure?
That’s okay. The best practitioners will guide you honestly — even if that means referring you elsewhere. Because this isn’t about turf. It’s about getting you back to living the life you want, in a body that feels good doing it.
