Sports Chiropractor or Physical Therapist? You’re Asking the Wrong Question

What a Sports Chiropractor Does

Sports chiropractors are professionals who specialize in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions that affect athletes and physically active individuals. Their goal is to reduce pain, improve joint mechanics, and restore efficient movement, which in turn helps athletes perform at a higher level. 

According to Dr. Anthony Petrucci, Co-Founder and Chiropractic Physician at MYOLAB, sports chiropractors are much more than providers who perform adjustments.

"We are trained to be neuromusculoskeletal specialists. We're a mechanic for the body. We can perform in-depth exams, we can diagnose, obviously we can treat, come up with treatment plans, assess movement patterns and biomechanics."

Rather than focusing solely on the spine, sports chiropractors evaluate how the joints, muscles, connective tissues, and nervous system work together during movement. Sports chiropractors usually perform the following: 

• Movement assessment. They evaluate joint mobility, balance, movement symmetry, and running or walking mechanics as well as stability. 
• Joint adjustments and spinal manipulation. One of the most recognized chiropractic techniques. It is done to restore normal movements in joints that have been restricted due to injury, repetitive stress, and poor mechanics. 
• Soft tissue therapy. This includes myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and active release techniques, which help decrease muscle tension and improve tissue mobility. 
• Dry needling. This makes use of thin, sterile needles inserted into muscular trigger points to reduce pain, improve muscle activation, and restore normal movement patterns. This is commonly used for tight muscles, strains, and stiffness. 

There is more than a chiropractor does. At MYOLAB, our chiropractic practice includes assessment, movement analysis, injury prevention, and patient education, integrated with physical therapy and rehabilitation to help individuals recover, perform, and stay active. 

In Malvern and the surrounding Main Line, that means working with everyone from competitive athletes to active adults managing the demands of daily training. Our goal is to reduce pain, improve joint mechanics, and restore efficient movement, thereby helping athletes perform at a higher level.

What Is the Biggest Misconception About Chiropractors?

One of the biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care is that treatment only consists of spinal adjustments, or “cracking backs." Dr. Petrucci explains that this common belief does not reflect how modern, evidence-based sports chiropractic is practiced. 

"We're not putting bones back into place, we're not realigning the spine... what we're doing is stimulating joint movement, we're getting motion through a joint that doesn't move properly, ultimately helping reduce pain and improve function."

The goal of an adjustment is to restore normal joint motion and improve function. Many sports chiropractors also incorporate the following:

• Functional movement screening
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Strength recommendations
• Mobility drills 
• Recovery education
• Injury prevention strategies 
• Return-to-sport planning

What a Sports Physical Therapist Does

A sports physical therapist helps patients recover from injuries by rebuilding strength, coordination, endurance, balance, and confidence. While a sports chiropractor begins by restoring joint mechanics, a sports physical therapist focuses on improving how the body performs movement over time. 

Many people assume physical therapy only consists of stretches and exercise handouts. Dr. Lucas Silveri-Hiller, co-Founder and Lead Physical Therapist at MYOLAB, says that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about the profession. 

"A common myth for a physical therapist would be that we're just exercise people... 90% of the time that you're in my office, I'm getting to the root of the issue. I'm assessing your body and then providing a treatment targeted to that."

Treatment may include: 

• Comprehensive movement screening. The usual first step may include evaluation of walking mechanics, running and lifting form, jumping and landing, balance, single-leg control, and muscle strength. This helps therapists determine why the pain developed in the first place. 
• Corrective Exercises. The foundation of sports physical therapy. These are usually based on the individual’s deficits, which usually become increasingly challenging as the recovery progresses. 
• Manual therapy. This includes assisted stretching, myofascial release, joint and tissue mobilization. This supports corrective exercises while improving comfort and mobility. 
• Blood flow restriction (BFR) Training. BFR makes use of a specialized cuff placed around the arm or leg while performing low-load resistance exercises. This is particularly useful after surgery or during periods when heavy loading would be inappropriate. This is valuable for maintaining muscle mass and accelerating rehabilitation. 

The Value of One-on-One Physical Therapy 

A dedicated one-on-one physical therapy session provides a more hands-on, uninterrupted, and individualized experience. In some high-volume clinics, therapists supervise multiple patients simultaneously, which can affect the quality of the treatment session.

For patients and active individuals with performance goals, an individualized approach may be more beneficial. The treatment plan will be tailored to the patient’s unique needs, functional demands, and stage of recovery, evolving as their conditions change over time. 

At MYOLAB, we take a personalized approach by combining comprehensive assessment, evidence-based treatment and progress monitoring to optimize performance and long-term health. 

Sports Chiropractor vs Sports Physical Therapy Key Differences 

Sports chiropractors and sports physical therapists both treat musculoskeletal injuries. Their training paths differ, their tools overlap far more than most people expect, and at MYOLAB the distinction matters less than it does anywhere else.

Where the line disappears

Both professions can perform joint manipulation, dry needling, soft tissue therapy, Active Release Technique, cupping, blood flow restriction training, corrective exercise, and return-to-sport progressions. The scopes overlap far more than clinic websites let on. What you usually see is a business decision about who does what, dressed up as a clinical one.

A shoulder that won't lift needs mobility restored before strengthening does anything useful. Strengthen it without addressing the restriction and you're loading a joint that can't move properly. Restore the motion and skip the strength work and the problem comes back the first time you push a heavy set overhead. Same problem, two halves. Splitting them across two buildings is how people end up in care for six months with nothing to show for it.

How it works at MYOLAB

Every provider we hire has to do both halves. Our chiropractors prescribe and coach the rehab. Our physical therapists perform the manual work and the manipulation. That's a hiring requirement here, not a nice-to-have.

What does that mean for your appointment:

• One provider, 60 minutes, one-on-one. No aides, no assistants, no getting parked on a table while someone else is treated.
• No internal handoff. Nobody adjusts you for five minutes and passes you down the hall. The person who assesses you is the person who treats you.
• Same provider through your plan of care. Your treatment adapts each visit because the person adapting it watched every visit before it.
• Booking is about availability, not category. When you call, the question isn't whether you need a chiropractor or a physical therapist. It's which provider has a time that works for you. They treat the same way.

If you already know you want an adjustment, you'll get one. If you'd rather nobody touch your neck, that's fine too. We'll tell you what the evidence supports for your specific complaint, then build the plan around what you're actually willing to do. Your first visit is a full hour of evaluation, so there's time to explain what's wrong, what we're doing about it, and why.

Common Conditions That Benefit From Both Sports Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy

Listed below are some of the most common conditions that benefit from an integrated treatment approach:

Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons why people seek both chiropractic care and physical therapy. While pain is often felt in the lower back, the underlying cause may involve limited spinal mobility, hip stiffness, or poor body movement mechanics. 

A sports chiropractor may focus on restoring normal movement by addressing: 

• Restricted spinal joints
• Pelvic mobility
• Hip stiffness
• Muscle tension
• Lumbar Mechanics

Once mobility improves, sports physical therapy helps restore the body’s ability to support and control movement through:

• Core stabilization
• Hip strengthening
• Movement retraining 
• Lifting mechanics 
• Functional endurance 

Combining these techniques will not only relieve the pain but will also help reduce the risk of recurring back problems. 

Shoulder Injuries 

The shoulder is one of the body’s most mobile joints, relying on proper coordination between the shoulder blade, upper back, and arm. Even small movement restrictions can alter mechanics, contributing to pain during lifting, throwing, or overhead activities.

A sports chiropractor may improve shoulder function by addressing: 

• Thoracic spine mobility
• Shoulder joint motion
• Soft tissue flexibility
• Rotator cuff irritation

Physical therapy then builds:

• Rotator cuff strength 
• Scapular stability
• Overhead movement and mechanics

This combination can be useful for swimmers, tennis players, baseball players, and weightlifters who have high demands on their shoulder joints. 

Recurring Hamstring Strains

Recurring hamstring strains rarely occur because of the hamstrings alone. They usually result from movement deficits that place excessive stress on the muscles during running or sprinting. Common contributing factors include: 

• Hip mobility restrictions
• Pelvic mechanics
• Glute weakness
• Poor sprint mechanic
• Limited trunk control

A sports chiropractor can improve joint mobility that affects movement efficiency. Simultaneously, a sports physical therapist may then develop a rehabilitation program that includes: 

• Progressive hamstring loading 
• Glute strengthening
• Running mechanics
• Sprint progression
• Return-to-play programming

Treating both the mechanical and strength aspects helps reduce the likelihood of developing another strain while supporting return to sport.

Neck Pain

Neck pain gradually develops from prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, poor posture, or sports-related stress. It is often accompanied by muscle tension and restricted movement in both the neck and upper back. Chiropractic care may include: 

• Cervical joint mobilization
• Thoracic adjustments
• Soft tissue therapy
• Mobility exercises

Physical therapy then complements these treatments with:

• Deep neck flexor strengthening
• Postural retraining
• Scapular stabilization
• Endurance exercises

Improving both mobility and muscular support helps relieve symptoms while reducing strain during athletic as well as everyday activities. 

Knee Pain

Knee pain usually results from movement problems in adjacent joints. A chiropractor may evaluate: 

• Hip mobility
• Ankle flexibility
• Joint mechanics
• Tissue restrictions

A physical therapist then works to improve movement quality through: 

• Quadriceps strengthening
• Hip strengthening 
• Balance training 
• Landing mechanics 
• Running retraining 

Instead of treating only the painful knee, both services evaluate how the entire lower extremity functions during movement. 

Why Most Active Adults Benefit From Both Sports Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy

Pain relief is the primary reason a patient seeks care, but lasting recovery requires more than symptom relief. At MYOLAB, our core philosophy is to identify and treat the root cause rather than the symptom. 

Joint restrictions, muscle weakness, poor movement patterns, and training errors frequently exist together. By addressing these underlying issues, we can achieve long-term improvements in function, performance, and overall health. 

Dr. Lucas Silveri-Hiller summarizes the philosophy behind combining chiropractic care with physical therapy: 

"What pieces are missing? And what happens if we put all those pieces together? You get not only the hands-on treatment... but then create a longer-term change."

This allows each patient’s treatment plan to be driven by their individual condition rather than a standardized pathway. At MYOLAB, continuity of care is fundamental. 

In contrast to many traditional healthcare settings, where specialists often give them five to ten minutes and push them out the door, our patients are given one hour to work with the same clinician at every visit. 

In addition, as clarified by Dr. Petrucci, "Patients don't need a referral to come see us." In Pennsylvania, chiropractors can see patients directly without a physician referral, and can order imaging and musculoskeletal-related lab work as part of their scope of practice.

Chiropractic Care Restores Joint and Nervous System Function

A sports chiropractor focuses on restoring normal joint mechanics through several techniques. When a joint becomes restricted due to injury, repetitive stress, or prolonged inactivity, nearby muscles often compensate. Over time, these compensations contribute to pain, reduced performance, and a higher risk of future injury. 

Improving joint mobility can: 

• Reduce pain during movement 
• Improve flexibility
• Restore more efficient movement patterns 
• Decrease excessive stress on surrounding tissues 
• Prepare the body for progressive training

Improving joint mobility also creates a better starting point for rehabilitation. 

How MYOLAB Combines Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy

Many clinics separate chiropractic care and physical therapy into completely different treatment experiences. MYOLAB takes a collaborative approach, with providers working from the same treatment plan.

As Dr. Lucas Silveri-Hiller explains: 

"It's just called an hour of one-on-one attention... hearing the person, being able to talk, not having a rushed visit, and really getting the full story."

At MYOLAB, an integrated sports medicine model combines these services within a coordinated treatment plan rather than treating them as separate experiences. 

Patients also do not have to worry about multiple providers repeating their history and undergoing duplicate evaluations. At MYOLAB, providers communicate and follow the same treatment plan, so transitions become smoother. Instead of receiving isolated recommendations from different providers, patients benefit from the same plan.

In addition, individualized patient care also has better outcomes, as successful rehabilitation relies heavily on how care is delivered. At MYOLAB, we use a patient-centered model that prioritizes:

• Comprehensive evaluations
• Individualized treatment plans
• Ongoing reassessment
• Hands-on care when appropriate
• Progressive exercise programming
• Education that supports long-term self-management

This individualized approach is particularly valuable for athletes and active individuals whose recovery goals extend beyond symptom or pain removal. 

Cost and insurance coverage are often the deciding factor between these two paths. Traditionally, physical therapy is more likely to be covered by insurance than chiropractic care, though this varies by plan.

MYOLAB works differently: it operates out-of-network with insurance and uses transparent, published pricing instead. Clinical visits (chiropractic and physical therapy) run from $90 to $165 per 30 to 60-minute session, and the practice accepts HSA and FSA funds. Membership plans, starting around $60 per month, include monthly recovery sessions plus 10 to 20% off clinical care and training.

This model trades insurance billing for predictable, upfront pricing, worth factoring in alongside the clinical differences above.

What Should You Do Next?

Choosing between a sports chiropractor and sports physical therapy does not always have to be an either-or decision. For many active adult athletes, combining the two provides a more complete solution rather than relying on either treatment alone. By improving joint function while restoring strength, patients can reduce pain, improve performance, and lower the risk of future injuries. 

Still unsure whether you would benefit more from a sports chiropractor, sports physical therapy, or a combination of both?

1. Describe, instead of dismissing, your symptoms. Recurring pain often points to underlying factors you have been shrugging off for a while. 
2. Get a professional evaluation. A comprehensive assessment will identify these factors contributing to your symptoms, which will help determine the most effective treatment plan for your goals.
3. Join our waitlist. From there, you will receive personalized guidance that targets your source of pain, restores efficient movement, and helps you return to activities safely. 

If you are recovering from an injury, managing a recurring pain, or looking to optimize athletic performance, an integrated treatment plan can help you return with great confidence. 

This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for individualized medical advice.