The Role of Chiropractic & Physical Therapy: How They Work Together

When you’re in pain—whether it’s your neck, back, or joints—it can be hard to know where to start. Should you see a chiropractor? A physical therapist? Or both?

At Trivium Wellness in Bend, OR, we often hear these questions from patients navigating their recovery. The good news is: chiropractic care and physical therapy don’t have to be either/or. In fact, they often work best together.

Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and wellness services work best when they work together—supporting long-term recovery and movement.

How Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Complement Each Other

While both chiropractors and physical therapists focus on musculoskeletal health, they approach care through slightly different—but deeply compatible—lenses.

Chiropractic Care:

• Focuses on joint alignment and nervous system health

• Often uses manual adjustments and mobilization

• Helps reduce nerve irritation and restore mobility

• Great for acute relief and restoring joint mechanics

  
  

Physical Therapy:

• Focuses on movement, strength, and long-term function

• Uses manual therapy, movement assessment, and exercise-based rehab

• Builds strength, stability, and body awareness

• Addresses root causes of movement imbalances and pain patterns

  
  

When used together, chiropractic and physical therapy create a powerful pairing:

✅ Chiropractic may help unlock motion or address alignment issues

✅ PT can help you stabilize, strengthen, and retrain movement so relief lasts

When to Choose PT vs. Chiropractic Care

Both disciplines can help relieve pain—but they serve slightly different roles in the recovery process. Here’s a guide to help decide:

If You Need...	Consider Starting With...
Quick relief for joint or nerve pain	Chiropractic care
Post-surgical or post-injury rehab	Physical therapy
Movement retraining or posture correction	Physical therapy
Recurrent spinal or joint discomfort	Both (in coordination)
Pelvic, postpartum, or core dysfunction	Physical therapy (with referral as needed)
Maintenance or performance support	Both (based on individual needs)

The key is collaboration—not competition. Many patients see the best results when chiropractic care provides relief and alignment, and physical therapy helps build strength and prevent future setbacks.

Case Study: A Combined Approach to Pain Relief

A Bend patient came to us after struggling with chronic low back pain. She had some success with chiropractic care, but relief never lasted more than a few days. After her chiropractor referred her to Trivium, we partnered on her care plan.

Working together, we:

• Supported spinal mobility with chiropractic adjustments

• Identified core and hip weakness contributing to her back strain

• Used manual therapy to reduce tissue restriction

• Built a custom home program to maintain relief and improve strength

  
  

Within a few weeks, she reported lasting relief and improved confidence in her body. This is one of many examples where shared care leads to the best outcome.

Finding the Right Provider in Bend, OR

Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply trying to feel more at home in your body, finding the right provider matters.

At Trivium Wellness, we believe in collaborative care—and we work closely with trusted chiropractors and specialists in the Bend community to support your whole-body wellness.

Our goal isn’t just to treat symptoms—it’s to help you understand your body, regain movement, and feel empowered in your recovery.

📍 Looking for physical therapy in Bend, OR that works hand-in-hand with chiropractic care? Explore our services and get in touch →