What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

The answer to this question depends greatly on the country in which they practice. In the United States, there is no longer much distinction between a Medical Doctor and and Osteopathic Doctor. Except that during the four years of graduate school, the Osteopath generally gets some training in manipulation, where the medical student does not. In the US, a Chiropractor, according to the 2009 ruling of the Joint commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, and Federal Laws, and most (but not all) State laws, is a Physician too. However during the 10 semester graduate program of Chiropractic College, a DC candidate concentrates on natural systems of healing, and thus spends less time studying the beneficial effects of drugs and more learning about their poisonous effects (toxicology in lieu of pharmacology).

Both are trained in all medical specialties and are qualified to diagnose and treat human ailments. The DC will refer a patient to a medical practitioner when the condition requires.

In other parts of the World, an Osteopath has either similar training to a Chiropractor, or in some places less. Recognition is less too, as far fewer countries license Osteopaths then currently license Chiropractors.

In the UK for example both osteopaths and chiropractors study independently of their medical colleagues and do not hold the title "medical doctor". The length of time it takes to qualify to become a chiropractor in the UK is five years, and for an osteopath it is four. (After college) Both use manipulation, but can also combine nutritional and other alternative therapies to improve structural and biological integrity. If required they will refer to other healthcare professionals or use skills that they have studied through their respective recognized geographical educational qualifications.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vast difference exists between the chiropractor and the U.S. trained osteopath. The chiropractor knows manipulation and stuff. The DO does not. The DO learns some manipulation in med school but usually forgets their manipulation training except for their medical boards. The DO usually practicesonly traditional medicine in the U.S. Ergo, therefore, the DO should change its name to MD or MD,DO in the U.S. to distinguish themselves from DC, ND, DNP, DPM, DMD, DDS, etc. And, in some states, they may simply adopt the MD degree, and represent themselves thus.