Physio or chiropractor?

[Chianti]

My pony has been off work as he's been treated for ulcers and then got laminitis. I know that ulcers can be pain related so I'd like to get him checked over before I start riding him again. I can't decide whether to find a physio or a chiropractor. Can anyone give an opinion why one would be better than the other?

 

[Sossigpoker]

I use a proper doctor of chiropractic over a physio as I know with my own skeletal problems that if there's a restriction in a joint , this will cause muscle pain. No amount of massaging will resolve it unless the joint restriction is resolved (although milder situations may resolve themselves as the muscle is worked on).
So it's a proper chiropractor for me and my horse

 

[tallyho!]

definitely chiro - even though I once wanted to train as a physio...

 

[Renvers]

Can you have both? I prefer Physio because mine works on the whole body not just looking at musculoskeletal side. I find they will provide follow up exercises to continue the healing/mobilisation whereas the Chiro tends to treat what is in front of them that day and not give any homework until the next appointment.

 

[mariew]

I would ask your vet for recommendations, or other reliable recommendations. I find it is heavily dependent on the skill of the practitioner rather than the particular discipline.

 

[tallyho!]

Yes I think you could do both and avoid the whole generalisation thing.

You get good physios and chiropractors and the exact opposite so it's better to go by recommendations of those that operate in your area. My chiro gives homework and ridden exercises to help and also works on me - but I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones.

 

[Auslander]

I prefer a chiro (qualified vet), on the basis that if you get the basic structure sorted, the rest will heal correctly. Best analogy I can think if is that if the tracking is off on the wheels of a car, you can replace the tyres til you're blue in the face, but they will still wear unevenly til the tracking is sorted.

 

[Red-1]

I have had more success with Cranio-sacral treatment. Both on myself and on horses.

That said, I think it is more about the ability of the individual practitioner. I tried a different cranio practitioner on myself and got nothing out of it.

It is my personal opinion that some people are simply gifted, and it doesn't matter what modality they advertise as practicing in.

 

[sbloom]

I would ask your vet for recommendations, or other reliable recommendations. I find it is heavily dependent on the skill of the practitioner rather than the particular discipline.

This, or ask around locally with horse people you respect. Modality is less important than skill, experience and degree of holistic approach, and I would also recommend to many people that they have one person who will work on the structure, eg chiro/osteo, and one who does more soft tissue work, MFR etc. Many will be prepared to work in consultation with each other which can be the best approach.

 

[milliepops]

was also going to say it depends on the individual and their skillset. I've used a few of each over the years and some are much more knowledgeable and able to see the whole horse than others.