Health Space Physiotherapists are trained in the diagnosis, assessment, management and prevention of musculoskeletal and sports injuries and ailments and have completed at the very minimum a bachelor degree (usually four years) in physiotherapy or a masters or professional doctorate.

The aim of physiotherapy is to rehabilitate and improve movement and functionality, reduce pain and stiffness.

Physiotherapists use their expertise in physiology and anatomy to assess and treat people with a range of health conditions such as sporting injuries, chronic lower back and neck pain, headaches and postural issues through combination of manual therapy, movement training and physical and electro-physical agents.

As part of physiotherapy, a practitioner will often prescribe a personalised exercise program customised to an individual’s specific requirements.

Health Space Chiropractors focus around diagnosis, correction and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and based on the principle that the body is a holistic unit that needs to work in unison, in order to achieve full functionality of the nervous system.

Chiropractors believe that any vertebral malalignment causes compression on nerves and therefore can refer symptoms and problems in the surrounding tissues and even further down into the limbs. Chiropractors are also degree qualified studying for a minimum of five years.

Chiropractic is nearly always associated with spinal and neck manipulations, but it involves a combination of hands-on care, physical therapy modalities and exercise. Through identifying abnormalities in the alignment of the spine, this can also uncover other problematic symptoms in the body i.e. presented in the form of a headache. Chiropractors are trained to take and read x-rays which may be appropriate in cases such as trauma or pathology.

Osteopathy, is a holistic manual therapy similar to Chiropractic therapy and focuses on any acute or chronic condition in the body, in particular the musculoskeletal and visceral systems. Health Space Osteopaths focus on the underlying cause of the injury and recognise the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions.

The principles are based around treating the body as a whole, and appreciating that the body can heal itself through the proper alignment and balance of the joints, muscles, connective tissues, nerves and organs.

Osteopaths adopt gentle and effective treatment techniques aimed at addressing any bio-mechanical dysfunction, including stretching, joint mobilisation, massage and sometimes manipulation. These sessions are often longer than with chiropractors with more of a focus on muscular health and joint movement. Osteopaths are required to complete a minimum of five years study.

One key difference between the modalities is that a chiropractor traditionally uses manipulation, where a physiotherapist will more commonly use mobilisation techniques and an osteopath uses their hands with a combination of stretch, massage, pressure point and manipulation techniques to promote mobility and restore balance.

Often Chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths work together on cases at Health Space. If you have a holistic practitioner who is treating the cause of the symptoms, you will not just save yourself a lot of pain, but also money! If you are not sure which practitioner would be best suited to your individual needs please give us a call for advice.

All practitioners of physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic services must be registered by law with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency.