What is the Difference Between Chiropractic and Osteopathy?

“The methods of Chiropractic and Osteopathy differ in application and results, as well as in name. There is no resemblance in the treatment and but little in any way except the philosophy. The application of the two is so different that learning either one gives no clue to the other.” - Dr. Andrew Paxton Davis, MD, DO, DC

If there is anyone to understand the differences between Chiropractic and Osteopathy, it would be Dr. A.P. Davis. A.P. Davis was a medical doctor, a naturopathic doctor, an osteopath and a chiropractor. 

Chiropractic was founded in September 1895 by D.D. Palmer.

Osteopathy was founded in April of 1874 by A.T. Still. 

In order to simplify things, we can say the differences between Chiropractic and Osteopathy rest on 4 main points. Those main points include:

1. Mental (Nerve) Impulse vs. Blood Circulation

2. Adjustment vs. Manipulation

3. Drugless Care vs. Drug-oriented Care

4. Nonsurgical Approach vs. Surgical Approach.

I will be quoting a lot from D.D. Palmer, The Discoverer of Chiropractic, in the discussion of these topics.

1. Mental (Nerve) Impulse vs. Blood Circulation. 

Chiropractic states that the Nerve System and its ability to communicate with the body unimpeded is the main driver of health. Osteopathy on the other hand states that blood and its ability to circulate freely is the main driver of health. 

Quoting D.D. Palmer:

“It will be observed that Osteopathy is founded on the circulation of the blood, whereas, Chiropractic is founded upon the quality of nerve tissues and its ability to transmit functionating impulses… Dr. Still reasoned that a natural flow of blood is health, and disease is the effect of local or general disturbance of blood; that to excite the nerves causes muscles to contract and compress venous flow of blood to the heart; and the bones could be used as levers to relieve pressure of nerves, veins and arteries.” 

2. Adjustment vs. Manipulation

Chiropractors utilize adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations of the spine. Osteopaths utilize manipulations to improve misaligned joints throughout the body.

Quoting D.D. Palmer:

“I was not the first person to replace a displaced vertebra, as shown by a long article on luxations, but I was the first to use the spinous and transverse processes as levers whereby to rack into their normal position vertebra which had become displaced. I simplified the handling of vertebrae. Instead of finding a few rare cases of vertebra which had been wrenched from their natural position, I found them very common. Indeed, I found displacements were the rule instead of the exception… The Osteopath manipulates; the Chiropractor does not. The former uses many movements with the hands, which amounts to manipulation; the latter does his work by one movement, does not manipulate. I here refer to a Chiropractor who is specific, one who adjusts one vertebra with a special purpose. A Chiropractor who adjusts “all up and down the spine” is a manipulator.” 

3. Drugless Care vs. Drug-oriented Care

Chiropractors do not prescribe pharmaceuticals while Osteopaths initially did not prescribe pharmaceuticals but quickly started to incorporate them in their care. 

Quoting D.D. Palmer:

“The special business of the medical practitioner, is to use drugs as medicine. That of a Chiropractor, to adjust displaced vertebrae, placing the articular processes in their natural position.” 

D.D. Palmer also commented on Osteopathy’s early leanings towards using drugs. Quoting:

“Osteopaths occasionally write prescriptions for drugs or give verbal orders for their use, notwithstanding their claim that they are opposed to the use of drugs as remedial agents...The osteopath accepts all of allopathy except that of drugs. Of late, many are accepting the science of pharmacology. Chiropractors assent to nothing that is allopathic.” 

4. Nonsurgical Approach vs. Surgical Approach

Chiropractors do not perform surgeries. Osteopaths, on the other hand, do perform surgery. 

For a better understanding of this concept, I will quote from the Chiropractic Textbook by Dr. R.W. Stephenson, D.C.:

“Dislocations are traumatic and are not in the realm of Chiropractic, professionally or legally. The practitioner should send such cases to the surgeon; or, if he does anything at all with them, work under the auspices of a surgeon… Chiropractic does not pretend to “straighten” curvatures by force, or to force an abnormal spine to an “educated ideal.” That is not Chiropractic but orthopedic surgery.” 

While both Chiropractic and Osteopathy were founded as “alternatives” to modern medicine, each is based on its own philosophy, science and healing art. 

- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP

Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.