Chiropractic is the largest natural health profession in the world and the nation’s third largest primary health care profession, surpassed in numbers only by medicine and dentistry. Chiropractors have provided safe and effective health care to many people for more than a hundred years. Studies indicate that upwards of 15 percent of the U.S. population has consulted a chiropractor.
Chiropractic promotes the idea of vitalism, that the body has an inborn ability to heal. The primary role of a chiropractor is to restore and maintain the health of the spine and the nervous system in order to support the body’s natural ability to be healthy. Chiropractic care is delivered via a specific adjustment (usually done by hand) to restore integrity and function to the spinal column.
Your health is both directly and indirectly controlled by the nervous system and any interference or instability within this system impairs normal function and lowers resistance to disease. The chiropractic adjustment restores the spine to a more functional and stable position which in turn allows the nervous system to function more effectively. When the spine and nervous system are operating at a higher level, this enables the body to function at a more optimal level and to heal through its own natural recuperative powers.
Chiropractors are highly skilled in the art of adjusting all of the joints of the spine which reduces the effects of chronic or acute trauma and biomechanical instability. An adjustment is a gentle and specific maneuver which can be applied effectively and safely to people no matter their age.
People frequently choose the field of chiropractic because they love the idea of helping people achieve health naturally, without the use of drugs and surgery.
Are there specific traits that make for a good chiropractor?
Successful DCs (doctors of chiropractic) typically possess qualities such as:
The Doctor of Chiropractic Program at Life West is a professional program which typically takes three and a half years (14 quarters) to complete. The program is entered after the student has completed a bachelor degree or at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate work, with significant specific (see pre-requisites) preparatory coursework completed in the health sciences.
A chiropractic professional education provides the doctoral candidate with a core of knowledge in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, and many related health subjects. A chiropractor is a gatekeeper who provides direct access to the health delivery system and has responsibilities as a primary clinician. In practice, a chiropractor may offer services in wellness promotion, and health assessment, as well as the chiropractic management of the patient’s health care needs. A doctor of chiropractic will consult with, co-manage, or refer to other health care providers when appropriate.
After earning your Doctor of Chiropractic degree you will need a few more things to get licensed.
You will need to familiarize yourself with the requirements of any state you think you might be interested in being licensed in. You can do this research at the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards’ website. Ultimately, it will be your responsibility to make sure that you can become licensed in the state of your choosing.
Chiropractors generally work in an office environment. That individual environment is one of the most desirable things about this career, as the details of that environment are determined by the practitioner. Many chiropractors own (or go on to own) their own practices and make their own choices about all aspects of that practice – everything from the location, hours and staffing to their overarching patient care model.
Most DCs who open a private practice are able to create an environment that matches their personality, and interest. Some chiropractors work 40 or more hours a week and many work part time.
Chiropractors may choose to work with specialty populations such as children, the elderly, athletes, or any other specialty group. While not typically a requirement, many of these DCs have focused post-graduate training in the area of specialty.
Chiropractic does NOT require great strength or a size advantage. It is NOT taxing work to perform a chiropractic adjustment. With proper training, finesse and accuracy are the skills most needed to perform the physical skill of adjustment well.
Chiropractors generally go into private practice with several years of graduation. The salary range of a chiropractor can vary greatly depending on choices made in how a practice is setup, including factors such as number of hours worked, the fee scale and the type of practice chosen.
Salary.com lists current chiropractic salaries in an average range from $95,000 to $225,000 annually.
New graduates typically start in an associate role in an established chirorpactic office and can expect to earn in a range from $40,000 to $80,000.
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