Can I Do Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care at the Same Time?

By Published On: March 6, 2026Categories: NJ Chiropractic Info, NJ Health and Wellness, NJ Pain Management, NJ Physical Therapy Info, NJ Rehab, NJ Sports Injury, NJ Strain, Oakland Spine News
  • Combining PT and Chiropractic Care
Contents hide
1 Can I Do Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care at the Same Time?
1.1 What is physical therapy?
1.2 What is chiropractic care?
1.2.1 Chiropractic care focuses on:
1.2.2 Physical therapy focuses on:
1.3 What are the benefits of combining physical therapy with chiropractic care?
1.3.1 Benefits of receiving physical therapy and chiropractic care at one practice
1.4 Are there potential risks or considerations when undergoing both therapies?
1.5 Recommendations for communicating with both therapists
1.6 Conditions That May Benefit from Combining Physical Therapy with Chiropractic Care
1.7 Find Pain Relief in North Jersey with a Practice that Combines Chiropractic Care with Physical Therapy

Can you combine physical therapy and chiropractic care? Many patients come to us asking this exact question. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, such as back pain, neck pain or the lingering effects of a past injury, you might be struggling to decide which route to take. But creating the right plan for healing doesn’t need to be an either/or decision, in fact, combining physical therapy with chiropractic care can be the perfect way to super-charge your healing. 

Some therapies, like chiropractic and physical therapy work better together, which is why our goal has been to bring complementary therapies together into one practice. At Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy, we’re proud to bring you a convenient way to access highly-skilled chiropractors, physical therapists, and practitioners of supportive therapies like acupuncture and deep laser therapy. With four locations across North Jersey, in Fair Lawn, Oakland, Wayne and Clifton, our practice delivers unified treatment options that make it easier to access care. 

Since patients often have questions about combining these therapies, we’re always happy to provide the answers and explain why combining physical therapy with chiropractic care is an effective option for many patients in pain and struggling with mobility. 

What is physical therapy? 

Physical therapy focuses on restoring movement, strength, flexibility, and functional mobility after injury, surgery, or prolonged pain. Our physical therapists will evaluate how your muscles, joints, and movement patterns work together. Then your physical therapist will design a customized plan that uses targeted exercises, stretching, manual therapy, and movement retraining to improve your body’s strength and function.

Physical therapy’s major benefit is its role in long-term rehabilitation. Instead of covering up a symptom, like pain medications do (only for the pain to soon return), physical therapy works to rebuild strength, improve balance, increase range of motion, and reduce the likelihood of reinjury. By helping the body with these improvements, it plays a key role in pain management by helping the body move more efficiently and with less strain.

Our patients commonly come to us for physical therapy due to a number of reasons, such as:

  • Post-surgical recovery
  • Sports injuries 
  • Chronic joint pain
  • Nerve issues
  • Mobility limitations 

When reviewing NJ physical therapy clinics, it’s important to choose one, like Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy, that also emphasizes patient education. We make sure part of any therapy involves helping individuals understand how posture, movement habits, and continual muscle imbalances contribute to chronic pain.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care centers on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall body function. Chiropractors assess spinal alignment, joint mechanics, and nervous system communication, then use precise adjustments to correct misalignments and restore proper movement.

The benefits of chiropractic care often include reduced pain, improved joint mobility, better posture, and decreased nerve irritation. By correcting spinal and joint imbalances, chiropractic care helps the body function more efficiently and can relieve pressure that contributes to headaches, back pain, neck pain, and joint discomfort.

When people compare physical therapy vs chiropractic, the distinction usually comes down to approach. Chiropractic care focuses on correcting alignment issues and improving nervous system function, while physical therapy emphasizes strengthening and movement retraining. Rather than being competing options, they often work best as complementary therapies.

Chiropractic care focuses on:

Alignment and balance: Chiropractors work to correct spinal and joint misalignments which helps improve nervous system communication while reducing stress on the body.
Enhanced mobility: Restoring proper alignment allows joints and muscles to move more freely and efficiently.

Physical therapy focuses on: 

Strength and movement: Physical therapists work on helping patients build muscle strength while improving flexibility, enhancing mobility, and retraining the body for proper movement patterns.
Reinforcing and stabilizing what chiropractic care corrects: Targeted exercises help the body maintain alignment and reduce the risk of recurring pain or injury.

Together, they support whole-body healing. This combined approach addresses both the source of imbalance and the functional patterns that influence long-term recovery.

What are the benefits of combining physical therapy with chiropractic care?

One of the most common questions patients ask is, Can you combine physical therapy and chiropractic? In most cases, the answer is a resounding yes! In fact, doing so can enhance results.

That’s because chiropractic care works to correct structural imbalances, while also helping to improve joint alignment and reduce nerve interference. Physical therapy builds on that foundation by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and retraining movement patterns. Think of it this way:  If your car’s wheels are out of alignment, the car pulls to one side, and the tires wear out unevenly. Chiropractic care focuses on realigning the “frame” (the spine and joints) to ensure everything is sitting exactly where it should be. Physical therapy strengthens the “soft parts” (muscles and ligaments) that support the frame, ensuring the car can handle bumps and turns without falling back out of alignment. Together, they create a more complete approach to healing. 

The benefits of physical therapy and chiropractic treatment together include: 

  • Improved mobility
  • Faster recovery
  • Better stability
  • Longer-lasting pain relief

This combined approach supports holistic health. Every patient is different and no one can predict healing, however, overall, we see patients experience more pronounced results in shorter time by combining both therapies. And with convenient evening and weekend hours, our practice is committed to helping you conveniently fit appointments into your busy schedule.

Benefits of receiving physical therapy and chiropractic care at one practice

  • Coordinated care plans with both providers aligned on goals and progress

  • Consistent communication between chiropractors and physical therapists

  • More efficient treatment sequencing for better results

  • Reduced risk of overlapping or conflicting therapies

  • Faster adjustments to care based on how your body responds

  • Convenience of fewer appointments at multiple locations

  • A more comprehensive approach to pain management and recovery

  • Support for holistic health, rehabilitation through integrated care

Are there potential risks or considerations when undergoing both therapies?

When coordinated properly, combining these two therapies is generally safe and effective. The key consideration is communication and proper sequencing of care. Without coordination, there is a risk of overlapping treatments or working at cross-purposes.

This is why integrated practices can be especially beneficial. At clinics that offer both services under one roof, treatment plans are aligned, progress is monitored collectively, and care is adjusted as the body responds.

Patients should always disclose their full treatment plan to each provider, especially if receiving care from separate NJ chiropractic clinics and NJ physical therapy clinics. Transparency ensures safety and consistency throughout the healing process. At Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy, we’re happy to do the coordination work for you. Our team is designed to work together to provide you with the most cohesive and streamlined approach, so all you need to do is show up!

Recommendations for communicating with both therapists

Clear communication is essential when receiving complementary therapies. Patients should share their diagnosis, goals, and any changes in symptoms with both providers. This helps ensure chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy exercises are working together rather than competing.

It’s also important to discuss timing. Some patients benefit from chiropractic care first to improve joint alignment, followed by physical therapy to strengthen and stabilize. Others may alternate treatments based on their condition and response to care.

Practices that offer both services simplify this process. When chiropractors and physical therapists collaborate within the same clinic, treatment plans are streamlined and progress is easier to track.

At Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy, communication is built into our care model. Chiropractors and physical therapists work collaboratively, sharing insights and aligning treatment plans so care stays consistent and focused. This integrated approach allows the team to adjust therapies in real time based on each patient’s individual progress, comfort, and functional improvement.

Conditions That May Benefit from Combining Physical Therapy with Chiropractic Care

Many musculoskeletal and nerve-related conditions respond well to a combined approach of chiropractic care and physical therapy. These conditions include:

With these types of conditions, chiropractic care can restore alignment and reduce joint stress, while physical therapy will help improve strength, flexibility, and movement control. This complementary approach often leads to more sustainable results than either therapy alone.

Find Pain Relief in North Jersey with a Practice that Combines Chiropractic Care with Physical Therapy

Living with pain or limited mobility can feel isolating, depressing and at times, unbearable. It’s especially frustrating when it’s unclear which type of care will actually make a difference. The first step toward healing doesn’t have to involve guesswork or trial and error. At Oakland Spine & Physical Therapy, we’re focused on you and understanding the full picture of what your body needs. We’re dedicated to guiding you toward the most effective path forward, whether that means chiropractic care, physical therapy, or a combination of both.

Trust our team to coordinate a personalized plan designed around your goals, comfort, and lifestyle. Supporting therapies such as laser therapy and acupuncture may also be incorporated to enhance healing and support your recovery. If you’re ready to stop navigating pain on your own, reach out today to book an initial appointment and take the first step toward lasting relief and better movement.