Which is better, Chiropractic or Physiotherapy?

[futterbingers]

I've had a "bad back" for years now, it started with sciatica when I was pg with ds and then I had a slipped disc, I also have a thing where it goes into spasm every so often.
I've always gone to a physiotherapist who basically pulls, pushes and cracks me til I feel better. Which is great, but I have to go to him every 6-12 months because its only temporary relief.
In the meantime, when I complain about aches and pains to my gp, he tells me (having having blood tests done, xrays and scans etc.) that I probably have arthritis and to keep taking difene every day and ibuprofen as necessary.
I have a hiatus hernia which presumably is from the difene, he only started prescribing losec for that a couple of years ago.

So. I saw an ad for a chiropractor recently and it sounded great, so I went last week. Some of what he did was very similar to what the physio does. And some of it was a bit new-age (e.g. walk on the morning dew-wet grass, its full of negative energy). (Mine is full of dog poo) He's already had me back once, and he wants to see me 3 times this week. Now I'm not rich, and its costing a lot.
Can anyone tell me, if I keep going to the chiropractor, will I eventually reach a stage where I'm, if not cured, at least better for longer than 6 or 12 months? Or will he fill me with flimflam and keep taking my money? All advice very gratefully received!

Physio, definitely. Chiropractic is bollocks, in my opinion. I spent a ton of money on it years ago.

I'd say physio, and concentrate on exercises you can do yourself between sessions. The chiropractor will want to see you as often as possible as it's money in the bank, and while you'll get temporary relief the realignments won't do anything to keep you aligned - you need to do that work yourself and a physio is best placed to teach you how.

Clicked as I'm interested too! I have (probably stress related) very tense shoulders/neck. I don't think a GP would think it serious enough to refer on to a physio but it aches and I'd really like it seen to.

I see tons of ads for chiropractors, but the only physio i can find on google is silly-money for bupa-types.

Physio definately.

If you have arthritis then all the pulling about in the world wont cure it. You just need to 'manage' it.

I have very similar problems and say definitely physio but ask for some exercises you can keep up in between visits. Pilates is supposed to do wonders too but I can't vouch for that as I haven't yet made it to regular classes.

Apparently chiropractors have much less training than physios and they're not expected to do any cpd. The uncle of someone I once worked with had his neck broken by a chiropractor. Very extreme and I'm sure very rare, but it put me off for good.

Thanks so much I will stick to physio in future so. In so much pain today, sciatica is acting up something fierce! Always makes me feel very down, hopefully tomorrow will be better.