What is the basic differences between a physical therapist and a D.C? Which has more job opportunity? Is there a big difeerence in income level? A DC traditionally focuses their practice on the treatment of the spine, but they have been known to see patients for extremity related disorders. A DCs most traditional method of treatment is manipulation, or "adjustment"...meaning they use a high velocity thrust technique to restore the joint to a normal position. However, DCs do focus on wellness and nutrition as well.
PT is much broader, seeing patients for a number of disorder. We see people not just for neck and back pain, but also for recovery after open heart surgery, stroke, knee surgery, etc. We use a much broader scope of techniques include stretching, strengthening, balance, gait training, massage, and manaul therapy. However, even when we consider treatment of the spine alone, the major difference between PTs and DCs is that PTs show the patient how they can help themselves, whereas the DC makes the patient depended on them for recovery. However, the more savy DCs incorperate rehabilitation into the program. We basically seek to do the same thing...restore the joint to a normal position, but how we do it differs.
As far as income, both can have big earning potentials...especially when we consider private practice. However, it is probably more of the norm for a DC to establish private practice whereas most PTs work for a clinic or hospital. I've known DCs who were earning about $40,000 a year as they struggled to establish their practice, but then eventually earned over $100,000 a year. Most PTs fall in the category of earning between $50-70,000 a year, but about 15% earn more than $100K.
Both careers are expected to grow much faster than average. I agree with the above post about the salary of the two professions, and about what a PT does, however disagree with what a DC does. It seems to be quite one sided which can be expected when a member of one profession answers. I will give my opinion on what a Chiropractor does to try and even things up.
Chiropractors base their work on the nervous system, and how altered nervous system function affects the rest of the body. They do spend a lot of time around the spine because it is an integral part of the central nervous system, however also perform adjustive AND mobilisation techniques to the rest of the body.
DC's ARE trained in musculoskeletal mobilisation and rehabilitative techniques for the ENTIRE body, not just of the spine. They do have a very large scope of practice, which is why they are so highly sort after, and this is reflected in their salaries. |
