Understanding the Differences Between Health Care Providers:

Physicians, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, and Chiropractors

When it comes to managing pain, recovering from injuries, or improving overall wellness, there are a variety of providers you can see to address your symptoms. We often see that there is some confusion of who to see causing some time delay in getting your symptoms addressed by the appropriate healthcare provider. We wanted to discuss the most common healthcare providers with musculoskeletal care: physicians, physical therapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors. While these professionals can all contribute to your health in meaningful ways, their roles, training, and treatment approaches are quite different.

Let’s break down what each of these providers does, so you can make informed decisions about your care

1. Physicians

Role:

Physicians are medical doctors who diagnose with medical tests and imaging and subsequently manage a wide range of health conditions with medications, injections, and surgery. These include your primary care physicians and other specialists in the musculoskeletal world such as orthopedists, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, and neurosurgeons

Education & Training:

• 4 years of undergraduate and 4 years of medical school then followed by 3–7 years of residency (depending on specialty)

Services Provided:

• Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal conditions

• Prescription of medications, surgery, injections, or other medical interventions

• Diagnostic tests and imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, blood tests)

• Referrals to specialists or other providers

When to See a Physician:

• When you suspect treatment of a non-musculoskeletal condition, need medical imaging, or suspect the need for medical interventions such as medications, injections, or surgery

2. Physical Therapists 

Role:

Physical therapists help patients diagnose and recover from musculoskeletal injuries, surgeries, or conditions that affect movement and function. They design and guide rehabilitation programs to restore strength, flexibility, and mobility to restore your function via exercise programs and hands on techniques.

Education & Training:

• 4 year Undergraduate Degree followed by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree (3 years post-undergraduate)

Services Provided:

• Movement assessments, Therapeutic exercise programs, Manual therapy, joint mobilization, Post-surgical rehabilitation, and Education on injury prevention and modification of ergonomics

When to See a Physical Therapist:

• • Anytime there is musculoskeletal injury, acute or chronic, we recommend seeing a physical therapist (we know we may be biased 😂). We are trained to differentially diagnose injuries based on taking your body through diagnostic physical tests that have been referenced to MRI.  If there are any red flags (signs of symptoms something outside their scope requiring medical intervention) present then they will refer you out to a physician, but this is the vast minority of cases. 

  • After surgery, (e.g., ACL tear, rotator cuff repair) to return you back to your prior level of function

  • To develop an exercise program to address limitations in mobility, balance, posture, strength, and power.

3. Massage Therapists

Role:

Massage therapists focus on manipulating soft tissues—muscles, tendons, and ligaments— with their hands or usage of tools to reduce stress, alleviate tension, and promote relaxation or healing.

Education & Training:

• Certificate or associate’s degree (typically 500–1000 hours of training)

Services Provided:

• Swedish, deep tissue, or sports massage, Trigger point therapy, Relaxation and stress relief, Muscle tension and soreness reduction

When to See a Massage Therapist:

For muscle tightness or soreness, as a strategy to manage stress and anxiety and as a complement to physical therapy or chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal injury

4. Chiropractors

Role:

Chiropractors primarily treat musculoskeletal disorders with hands-on techniques, especially those involving the spine. They use spinal manipulation and adjustments to improve spinal mobility and reduce pain.

Education & Training:

• 4 year Undergraduate Degree followed by Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree (typically 4 years post-undergraduate)

Services Provided:

• Spinal adjustments and manipulations, Postural assessments, Treatment of back, neck, and joint pain, and Lifestyle and ergonomic advice

When to See a Chiropractor:

• For acute or chronic back or neck pain and to have hands on techniques to address joint dysfunction and mobility restrictions as a non-invasive approach to pain relief

• Chiropractors and Physical Therapists are very similarly trained, however, physical therapists’ education focuses more on corrective exercises whereas chiropractors’ education has more focus on hands’ on manipulation techniques.

Choosing the Right Provider

Regardless of where you chose to begin your care, we highly recommend that your health care providers work together as part of a collaborative care team to help you get the best results as quickly as possible. 

For example, you might see a physician or physical therapist for a diagnosis, a physical therapist for corrective rehab strength and mobility exercise programs, a massage therapist for muscle tension and stress relief, and a chiropractor for spinal manipulation. All these providers may assist with pain relief in their own way such as physicians with medications, injection, or surgery; physical therapists with exercise, hands on techniques, and education; massage therapists with hands on techniques; and chiropractors with hands on techniques

Here are some general guidelines:

Final Thoughts

Every healthcare provider plays a unique and valuable role. Understanding what each does can help you get the care you need—whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply trying to feel your best.

When in doubt, start by consulting your physical therapist or your primary care physician. They can guide you to the right type of provider based on your specific health needs. Remember that you ideally want to begin care as quickly as possible post injury to return back to your life and goals as quickly as possible!

📞 Call today to book your personalized session at our Rehoboth Beach or Ocean Pines location.