What is the Difference Between a Chiropractor and Orthopedist?

Kimra Bettasso

When people are having problems with musculoskeletal issues, such as bone fractures, sports injuries, back pain, scoliosis and tears of their muscles or tendons, they are often confused as to the distinction between a chiropractic doctor and an orthopedic doctor. We spoke with Gregg Schellack orthopedist about the differences between the two types of doctors. 

Dr. Gregg Schellack DO is an experienced orthopedic surgeon who practices at Sutter Hospital in Crescent City, California. Besides orthopedic surgery, Dr. Schellack has experience in pediatric and adult out-patient orthopedic services. Dr. Schellack is a graduate of Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Loma Linda University. He performed his residency at the latter. Dr. Schellack also performed an internship with the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. 

What are the Similarities? –

Both chiropractors and orthopedists work with the musculoskeletal system. Thus, both are trained and skilled in working with problems that patients are having with their bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. According to the Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Newport News, patients would go to either a orthopedist or a chiropractor for the following types of conditions: 

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Problems with one’s joints
  • Pain in one’s back, neck, legs, arms, feet or ankles
  • Scoliosis
  • Complications from whiplash
  • Sports injuries
  • Injuries stemming from automobile accidents
  • Problems with the disks in one’s back
  • Carpal tunnel symptoms
  • Pinched nerves

In addition, chiropractors often deal exclusively with TMJ, muscle tightness, allergies, migraines and asthma.

Both chiropractors and orthopedists may refer patients for physical therapy. 

How They Differ –

Education –

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, one major difference between chiropractors and orthopedists is in terms of their education. Both types of doctors are required to devote years of study after their undergraduate work. Orthopedists move from their undergraduate work to four years of medical school. After they complete the coursework and practice under a supervising physician, they receive an M.D. They are required to move from their medical school to an internship for a year and then on to their residency. It is in their residency that they will emerge with a specialty. Residencies tend to last from three to seven years and lead to state licensure. 

Chiropractors move from undergraduate work to a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic program and an internship. They then need to pass state licensure exams. Chiropractors are not medical doctors nor are they surgeons. 

Approach to Treatment –

One really important issue for patients to realize is that, if they require surgery for the problem that they are experiencing in their musculoskeletal system, they will not be able to receive this help from a chiropractor. Chiropractors are not trained in surgery, nor do they prescribe medications. People who have broken bones and torn muscles and ligaments will need to see an orthopedist.

As Dr. Schellack explains, orthopedists will work with patients supplying treatments (or making referrals) like physical therapy, medications, recommending lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise, supplying injections or providing surgical interventions. They use physical exams, CTs, MRIs, X-rays and other traditional orthopedic tests in order to establish their diagnosis and plan of treatment. 

According to ChiroCare of Florida Injury and Wellness Centers, chiropractors work using spinal manipulations, deep tissue massage, ultrasound, posture and foot alignment techniques (such as orthotics to be worn in one’s shoes), muscle stimulation and even acupuncture. Work on one’s spinal alignment and posture can aid in addressing seemingly unrelated issues, such as migraine headaches, asthma, body tightness and allergies. 

The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Newport News (OSC) explains that chiropractors and orthopedists refer patients to each other, as patients have such needs. The ChiroCare of Florida Injury and Wellness Centers recommend that patients who have broken bones and torn muscles, ligaments and tendons go to an experienced orthopedist, such as Dr. Gregg Schellack DO. OSC recommends that patients without broken bones or torn muscles may gravitate toward the type of musculoskeletal doctor that best supports the type of medical intervention they prefer and that which best addresses their current issue. Patients requiring pain medications will need to see a medical doctor, such as Gregg Schellack Orthopedist.