Osteopath vs Chiropractor: What’s the Difference?
Osteopaths and chiropractors both use their hands to treat pain and stiffness, so it is easy to mix them up. The difference comes down to focus and approach. At Electra Health you can see both at 970 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver, and we are happy to help you choose.
Quick answer: Chiropractors focus on the spine and joints and mainly use quick, precise adjustments to restore movement. Manual osteopathic practitioners take a whole-body approach, using slow, gentle hands-on techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue work and stretching to ease tension and improve how your body moves. In BC, chiropractors are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC), while manual osteopathy isn’t regulated by a provincial health profession college.
| Manual osteopathy | Chiropractic | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Whole-body movement, tension and posture | Alignment and mobility of the spine and joints |
| Typical techniques | Gentle joint mobilization, soft tissue work, stretching and myofascial release | Spinal and joint adjustments, soft tissue work, the Activator and Graston Technique |
| How it feels | Slow and gentle | Quick adjustments, often with a pop or click |
| Common reasons to book | Back, neck and joint discomfort, posture and work strain, movement changes during pregnancy | Low back and neck pain, stiffness, headaches linked to the neck |
| First visit at Electra | 45 minutes, $160 | 45 minutes, $150 (or 30 minutes, $135) |
| Regulated in BC? | No provincial health profession college | Yes, by CCHPBC |
| Referral needed? | No | No |
| Insurance | Some extended health plans reimburse manual osteopathy; you submit your receipt | Most extended health plans; we direct bill many plans |
| ICBC | Not one of ICBC’s pre-approved treatments | 25 pre-approved treatments in the first 12 weeks, no user fee |
When to choose an osteopath
Book with one of our osteopathic practitioners when you prefer a slow, gentle approach, when tension and restricted movement show up in several areas of your body, or when posture, work strain or changes during pregnancy are part of the picture. Read more about manual osteopathy at Electra Health.
When to choose a chiropractor
Book with a chiropractor when low back pain, neck pain, stiffness or headaches linked to your neck are the main problem, or when you are recovering from a car accident and want care covered by ICBC. Prefer a gentler adjustment? Ask about the Activator. Read more about chiropractic care in downtown Vancouver.
Can you see both?
Yes. Many of our patients combine the two, and both teams work under one roof at 970 Burrard Street. If you are weighing physiotherapy as well, see physiotherapy vs chiropractic.
Who you’ll see at Electra Health
Osteopathic practitioners: Hailey Kindt, BKin, M.OMSc · Stéphane Jacquet · Thibault Suchaud
Chiropractors: Dr. Laura Gronkjaer, DC · Dr. Jackson Mann, DC · Dr. Dave De Camillis, DC · Dr. Daniel Baronas, DC
Not sure who to book? Call us at 604-685-4325 and we will point you to the right practitioner. We are open 7 days a week, 7 AM–9 PM.
Osteopath vs chiropractor: your questions answered
No. Neither one is better across the board. An osteopath suits you when you want a slow, gentle, whole-body approach. A chiropractor suits you when spine or joint stiffness is the main problem and you are comfortable with adjustments. We are happy to help you choose.
No. Manual osteopathic practitioners are not medical doctors. Osteopathic physicians (DOs), who mostly train in the United States, are licensed physicians, which is a different profession from manual osteopathy.
No, not usually. Manual osteopathy relies on slow, gentle techniques rather than quick adjustments. If you would like chiropractic care without manual adjustments, ask about the Activator.
Yes. Back discomfort is one of the most common reasons people book manual osteopathy, and your practitioner will check for anything that needs a doctor’s assessment first.
No. You can book either one directly. Some extended health plans ask for a referral before they reimburse you, so check your plan if you are claiming.
Yes, on some plans. We don’t direct bill osteopathy, so you submit your receipt to your insurer. Chiropractic is covered by most plans, and we direct bill many of them for you.
No, manual osteopathy isn’t one of the treatments ICBC pre-approves. Chiropractic is: ICBC pre-approves 25 chiropractic treatments in the first 12 weeks after a car accident, with no user fee.