Osteopathy vs. chiropractic — differences?

Good question! The main difference is in philosophy and scope. Chiropractors focus primarily on the spine and nervous system, often using quick adjustments. Osteopaths take a more whole-body approach, looking at how muscles, joints, and organs interact. For chronic back pain, both can help, but osteopathy tends to include more soft tissue work alongside adjustments.

I can speak to the craniosacral part. It's indeed much gentler — the therapist uses very light touch to work with the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid. It's particularly good for people who find chiropractic adjustments too intense. I've seen great results for headaches, TMJ issues, and chronic tension.

I've tried both for my back. Chiropractic gave me faster short-term relief, but osteopathy helped more in the long run because the osteopath also addressed my hip alignment and posture, which were contributing to the back pain. My suggestion: try a session of each and see what feels right for your body.