What Is a Chiropractor?
Chiropractors are health practitioners that address musculoskeletal health problems through natural treatments that do not require drugs or surgery. They primarily do this through spinal manipulations which are conducted by putting physical pressure on areas of the body to restore spinal joint alignment. These types of practitioners believe that misalignments in the body affect the nervous system and can contribute to health conditions like back and joint pain, headaches, muscles strains, whiplash, and sports injuries.
Chiropractors meet with new patients and assess their conditions through interviews, physical examinations, diagnostic imaging, and health history. Using this information they determine the necessary course of action and treatment including what parts of the body need adjustment, how many adjustments are needed, and other therapies that should be used.
Chiropractors work in health-related environments similar to that of a doctor’s office. They may set their own hours, which are usually during regular business hours, but may also work evenings and weekends to accommodate patients.
How to Become a Chiropractor
Those interested in becoming chiropractors should earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in a health-related area before enrolling in a program at a chiropractic college. In chiropractic programs students learn about the anatomy and physiology of the human body and aspects of chiropractic like physical diagnosis, body manipulation, and spinal adjustment.
Common courses include chiropractic theory, analysis of posture, diagnostic ultrasound, spinal anatomy, clinical reasoning, thoracic manual therapies, neuromusculoskeletal system, and professional foundations. Many chiropractors open their own practices so courses in business administration, operations management, and accounting and finance can also be beneficial. Some programs may require students to complete a clinical practicum or internship before they are able to graduate.
Depending on the state a student plans to work in, they may have to meet certain education requirements and pass a licensing examination. It is not uncommon for beginning chiropractors to start out in partner or assistant positions before advancing to independent practice.
Chiropractor Career Outlook & Salary
As alternative medicine gains popularity, more people are looking to chiropractors to treat physical conditions and help relieve back and body pain. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of chiropractors projected to grow by 20% within the next decade. This is due to a rising demand for alternative healthcare, an increased awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles, and a growing amount of research that validates the benefits of chiropractic treatments.
Employment opportunities are specifically expected to increase for chiropractors who specialize in pediatrics, enter multidisciplined practice, or are able to work with elderly patients. But even with more available jobs out there, competition is still expected when it comes to employment. Chiropractors with a high-quality education, good reputation, and required licensure will have the best chances when it come to getting hired.
The Bureau reported that the median annual wages of chiropractors was $66,490 in May 2008.
