Physical Therapists and Chiropractors

I went to PT school a long time ago and a lot has changed. Our program has evolved from a Bachelor of science to a Masters and now a Doctorate program. This means today's PTs go to school longer which allows a deep dive into important subjects. But foremost it has allowed PTs to fight for direct access to patients. This means patients can come see a PT without a prescription from a referral source in some situations. It's a tricky subject that has been debated since before I was a PT.

The referral sources I am speaking of are mostly MDs but also dentists and chiropractors. This need for a referral is what I believe caused some animosity between PTs and Chiropractors. As a young therapist I did not work much with back pain patients, but I know I would not have recommended chiropractic care. I was taught a significant bias in school AND I had never met any chiropractors so I steered clear of that relationship.

In the many years since school, I have focused on neurological rehab and pediatrics and again never felt there was a need to mix physical therapy with chiropractic care. Enter my husband, an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. Four years ago as we were turning 50 he developed severe back pain that radiated down his leg and caused nerve damage and a foot drop (dragging of the foot). Without running he was miserable and hence my life was not as happy as it could be. I sent him to PT. He got an MRI. He saw a pain specialist. He took up yoga AND he went to a chiropractor who saw many of his running club buddies. He was diligent with everything he was advised to do and he miraculously avoided surgery, regained his foot movement, and ran a marathon 4-5 months after this incident started. The only thing he did not achieve was touching his toes - his hamstrings remain very tight. He continues to see his chiropractor as needed when he feels something needs tweaking and has actually been running marathons faster than ever.

I saw his chiropractor after a pretty bad car accident last year and it was helpful. Since that time I've been learning more about what chiropractors can do and how PTs can team up with them to get even better results in the pediatric space. I'm still learning a lot about what a chiropractor can offer but here is my take on how we can work together. First, let me say that the chiropractors I have observed are very gentle with babies and children. There is not forceful popping nor should there be. But babies do often need some adjustments it turns out. Birth is forceful. Babies who are in containers can become tight in the neck (torticollis), the trunk and the hips. This makes movement and development of gross motor skills difficult. Babies fall a lot which can also mess with their joint mobility.

Here's where I believe the two professions can work together. Chiropractors help with joint alignment and joint mobility. PTs take that movement and facilitate better strength and function. Together we can assess through our own methods what muscles and joints are restricting a baby from progressing with gross motor skills. Then we can make a plan together to help your baby move without compensations or pain. Chiropractors have always preached proactive maintenance of wellness ie. periodic adjustments to maintain joint mobility and health. PTs have always received referrals reactively ie. when there's a problem. I believe this is also an antiquated response in the pediatric space. Why should parents who have questions about their baby's development have to wait and see if a problem occurs? Why shouldn't parents have access to PTs for wellness visits where they can discuss timelines for motor milestones; equipment and container use; how to pick out shoes for new walkers; what toys may be helpful for my baby? It's a new concept but it could be very helpful and proactive for your child. IF you have questions about motor milestones feel free to reach out to a PT. A quick visit just might put you at ease.