Chiropractic vs Osteopathy ?

Osteopathy and chiropractic are both forms of manual therapy that focus on the relationship between the body’s structure and its function, but they differ in philosophy, approach, and scope. Osteopathy is based on the idea that the body’s structure—bones, muscles, joints, and organs—is interconnected and that restoring balance and mobility throughout the body supports its natural ability to heal itself. Osteopathic practitioners use gentle techniques such as stretching, soft tissue work, and joint manipulation to improve circulation, lymphatic flow, and overall function. Chiropractic, on the other hand, centers on the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors believe that misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, can interfere with nerve communication and cause various health problems. Their treatment typically involves precise, high-velocity spinal adjustments to restore alignment and nerve function. In terms of training, osteopaths in the United States are fully licensed physicians (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, DOs) who can prescribe medication and perform surgery, whereas chiropractors (Doctors of Chiropractic, DCs) are not medical doctors and focus solely on manual spinal therapy. In Europe, osteopaths are not medical doctors but rather manual therapists, similar in status to chiropractors. In essence, osteopathy takes a whole-body, holistic approach, while chiropractic primarily targets the spine and nervous system.