Collaboration Over Competition: Why Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Should Work Together

“What do you think about chiropractors?”

After 25 years as a physical therapist, I’ve been asked this hundreds of times. 

When I graduated in 1998, the narrative was that physical therapists and chiropractors were at war—competing for the same patients, guarding overlapping territory. 

Some of that tension was real, fueled by scarcity and professional tribalism. But my answer always surprised people.

“No, I don’t dislike chiropractors. In fact, there are many excellent ones. We receive referrals from DCs, collaborate regularly, and maintain strong relationships. Bad actors exist in every field—PTs, Chiropractors, MDs—it’s not unique to any one profession.”

The real question patients should ask any healthcare provider is this:

“Are you making me dependent on your care, or empowering me to manage my own health for the long term?”

If someone insists you need treatment three times a week for 12 weeks without a clear plan to transition you into self-management, pause. 

Reassess whether their approach truly serves you.

At Restore Thrive, we dig deeper.

We identify the root cause of pain and focus on the movement patterns and lifestyle factors that contributed to the problem.

This doesn’t just get you out of pain—it opens a path to becoming stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant with age. We help you reclaim activities you thought were lost forever.

Traditional physical therapy—and much of conventional healthcare—functions like a body shop: fix the breakdown, send you on your way.

It’s a model that leaves people cycling through injuries, never truly optimizing their movement, lifestyle, or their ability to age well.

We do things differently.

We get you off the “injured list” and back to what you love, then guide you through tailored exercise training and programming matched to your body, goals, and life stage. 

The result?

You’re not just repaired—you’re thriving for the rest of your life: work, retirement, and beyond.

We all live in an era where you must advocate for your own health and choose providers who prioritize your long-term independence, not their schedule.

At Restore Thrive,  we love collaboration.

We routinely ask patients to share our notes with their trainers, coaches, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists.

When your entire team is connected and communicating, you win.