Can Chiropractors and Physical Therapists Work Together?
This is a question that I hear a lot from my own patients on a weekly accorance. My answer is always yes! It is just a matter if both the chiropractor and the physical therapist can find common ground. Both physical therapy and chiropractic providers have the same goal in mind, offering care to their patients. The issue arises when a chiropractor or a physical therapist are bull-headed and refuse to utilize “co-care” or treat the same patient together at the same time. You would think this would be a no brainer, but some providers don’t see it this way.
I am a huge believer in “co-care” which utilizes chiropractic care (chiropractic adjustments) as the primary therapy for my treatment protocol and offering the manual therapies from the physical therapist to help speed up the rate of healing. The key is “co-care”. You have to find the right chiropractor and physical therapist with the right mind set. Both have to agree that both professions offer benefits to the patient, not one or the other. When physical therapy and chiropractic care work hand in hand the patient responds much quicker and heals faster.
In my own practice I am struggling to find a physical therapist that is interested in working together outside of my practice. So far I have referred out numerous patients to physical therapy and I have not been referred any back. Though this can be frustrating, do not give up! As a chiropractor and businessman I am bound and determined