Again, this is a difficult question as treatment approaches vary among physiotherapists. Many physiotherapist use machines in treatment such as ultrasound, interferential etc. whereas osteopaths emphasise manual techniques and spend the whole session working on the patient. i.e they won’t leave the room with you attached to a machine. Some Physiotherapists undergo further training in manipulation however the patient management approach is generally different with osteopaths using different techniques and usually looking beyond the symptomatic area. The undergraduate training of Osteopaths is also longer than that of a physiotherapist.

Any comparison between Osteopathy and other professions is not meant to necessarily imply that osteopathic treatment is superior, only that a different approach to treatment is utilised.