It is impossible to briefly describe all the differences between the three professions, which have many things in common. Furthermore, each practitioner has their own way of practicing their profession. Here is a little overview of the main points… Osteopathy and Chiropractic were founded towards the end of the 19th century, in the United States. It is said that the founder of Chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer, was one of the first students of the founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still, before moving towards a slightly different approach. This explains the many similarities of the two disciplines (especially in the belief that one must look at the human being as a whole, and in the fact that both types of practitioners establish their own diagnosis themselves). The studies required to become an Osteopath and Chiropractor are, therefore, lengthy).
In practice, the chiropractic care that we have witnessed is very often oriented around spinal manipulations to remedy positional lesions of the vertebrae identified by the Chiropractor, which, according to him, hinder the optimal functioning of the nervous system. The osteopath tends to use a wide range of techniques, for example, soft tissue, joint, muscular energy techniques as well as spinal manipulations, to treat both the peripheral and the central parts of the body. The Physiotherapist’s patients arrive by prescription from a doctor. The Physiotherapist therefore does not make a diagnosis. The Physiotherapist spends a lot of his time in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders following accidents, trauma and fractures or following neurological illnesses.

Osteopathic treatment is not currently reimbursed by the French Social Security, even though the osteopathic profession is recognized and regulated by the French state (decree n°2007-435 of March 25, 2007 relating to acts and conditions of practice of osteopathy).

However, more and more insurance companies (Mutuelles) are partially or fully reimbursing osteopathic treatment and we can naturally issue invoices for this purpose

One of the reasons why osteopathic studies are lengthy is because osteopaths must study enough general medicine to enable them to recognise warning signs of major pathologies.

The osteopath works in synergy with the doctor. He/she does not hesitate to refer a patient to a medical specialist if the symptoms presented by the patient appear to require medical attention, or in case of doubt.

It is therefore not necessary to see your doctor before making an appointment with an osteopath, but if you prefer to do so, do not hesitate – and please do not forget to inform your Doctor afterwards that you have had (hopefully successful (!)) osteopathic treatment.  Also, please try to refrain from holding back details of your medical history from your osteopath when asked. The process of information gathering is purely to ensure that your osteopath can best help you and some medical issues may be more related to your presenting symptoms than you might think.

YES, because coming to us when you have a little pain can prevent a small pain from becoming a big pain, which is worse for you and, in fact, may take longer to treat. You gain nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, by waiting. There is always a reason why pain appears, and it is better to discover it sooner than later. 

Please do not underestimate the fatigue that pain can cause, however small it may be.