It’s a fair question — and one that comes up more often than you might think.
Maybe you’ve had some imaging done because of ongoing pain — an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
The results come back, and your GP tells you everything looks fine.
Nothing abnormal was detected.
They may say it’s “just muscular” and will likely resolve on its own.
But the pain is still there.
It’s affecting your sleep, your mood and your life.
And now you’ve seen a chiropractor — who’s giving you a completely different perspective.
So who’s right?
And more importantly — what do you do next?
GPs and chiropractors are both trained healthcare professionals — but they’re looking at your body through different lenses.
GPs are trained to rule out serious medical issues like infection, fracture, or disease. Their system is designed for triage, diagnosis, and symptom management, often under tight time and resource limits.
Chiropractors focus on the structure and function of the neuromusculoskeletal system — your nerves, muscles, joints, posture, and how they all interact. They assess how your body is moving, compensating, and holding itself together.
So if your chiropractor gives a different perspective, it doesn’t mean they’re contradicting your GP — it means they’re asking a different question.
Where a GP might say, “There’s nothing dangerous here,”
a chiropractor asks, “But is your body functioning well?”
“But My Scan Was Clear — So Why Am I Still in Pain?”
Here’s why:
Pain and function don’t always match what shows up on a scan.
You can have:
- Misalignments
- Movement restrictions
- Postural collapse
- Nerve tension or muscle imbalance
…that don’t appear on traditional imaging, but still create very real symptoms.
Chiropractors are trained to assess your body functionally — how it moves, compensates, and adapts. These are things that often can’t be seen, but can be felt, tested, and corrected.
When Disagreement Is a Good Thing
Sometimes, disagreement is actually a step forward.
If your GP says, “There’s nothing wrong,”
but you still can’t turn your head without pain — isn’t it worth someone digging deeper?
A different perspective doesn’t mean your GP was wrong — it simply means you might need a different approach.
In fact, many people find relief only after exploring multiple opinions.
Is It Safe to Continue with Care?
Yes — and that’s why regulation matters.
A good chiropractor will:
- Take a full medical history
- Perform orthopaedic and neurological testing
- Identify red flags and refer to a GP or specialist when needed
- Work within safe, evidence-informed clinical guidelines
You don’t have to choose sides.
You can have a GP who manages your general health and a chiropractor who supports your structure, posture, and nervous system.
So… What Should You Do?
Be open: Share what your GP and chiropractor have said.
Ask questions: You deserve to understand what’s happening in your body.
Look for collaboration: The best care happens when professionals work together. (Your chiropractor can often write to your GP with findings if needed, and visa versa).
Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right — or isn’t improving — it’s okay to explore other options.
Final Thought
If your chiropractor sees something your GP didn’t, it’s not a turf war — it’s an opportunity to go deeper.
You’re allowed to gather opinions, ask questions, and choose the path that feels right for your body.
That’s not a problem. That’s what empowered, integrative healthcare looks like.
