Chiropractor
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who focuses on diagnosing and treating issues related to the human muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, primarily through noninvasive methods. The practice is based on the belief that misalignments in the spine can negatively impact the nervous system and overall health. Chiropractors typically perform manual adjustments and other techniques to correct these misalignments, aiming to enhance patient well-being.
The profession requires a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which involves extensive education in the sciences, anatomy, and hands-on techniques. Chiropractors often work in private practices or hospitals, where they spend considerable time diagnosing patients, developing treatment plans, and performing adjustments. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercise and dietary adjustments, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals if further medical care is needed.
Chiropractors generally earn a median annual salary of around $76,530, with job demand projected to grow due to increasing public interest in alternative healthcare options. The work environment is typically clean and comfortable, though the profession demands physical stamina and dexterity. Those interested in this field should possess a passion for holistic health and effective communication skills.
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Subject Terms
Chiropractor
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Science, working with one's hands, desire to improve others’ health, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $76,530 per year $36.79 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 9% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. A chiropractor is a medical practitioner who mainly employs alternative, noninvasive healthcare methods to treat problems related to the human muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, as well as to improve the overall health of the patient. Chiropractic medicine is founded on the idea that spinal misalignment and compression adversely affect the nervous system, limiting the immune system’s ability to fight off disease and chronic conditions. A chiropractor uses techniques such as manual adjustment of the patient’s spine and body parts to correct or treat health problems.
Work Environment. Like many other physicians, chiropractors normally work in private practices, often alone or with a small number of employees. In some cases, several chiropractors join together to establish a group practice within a larger hospital or clinic. Chiropractors usually work forty hours or more per week. Because most chiropractors are self-employed, they can maintain a flexible schedule, seeing patients during evenings and weekends, being on call, or making house calls. They stand for long periods and use their hands and arms extensively.
Occupation Interest. Those interested in pursuing a career in chiropractic must have an affinity for effective, holistic treatment of bodily diseases. In essence, a chiropractor must understand and appreciate the merits of traditional Western medicine while applying the tenets of alternative medicine. The aspiring chiropractor should be physically strong and dexterous, as a chiropractor repeatedly performs bodily adjustments in his or her efforts to produce successful results.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A chiropractor spends the majority of their day meeting, diagnosing, and treating patients. Like other doctors, chiropractors evaluate the state of a patient’s health through physical examinations and interviews. They regularly order laboratory tests, X-rays, and other imaging procedures to determine whether a patient’s problems can be adequately treated through chiropractic methods. They suggest appropriate treatment programs and usually manipulate and adjust a patient’s spine using their hands and fingers. Most importantly, chiropractors study a patient’s neuromusculoskeletal system using chiropractic diagnoses. Chiropractors also study a patient’s medical history and recommend alternative treatments, which may include exercise regimes, a change of diet, herbal or vitamin supplements, massage, electric currents, acupuncture, or therapies involving light, water, or heat. Chiropractors may refer patients to other medical professionals if those patients require medical care beyond what chiropractic treatment can offer. Unlike other doctors, chiropractors cannot prescribe medication or perform any surgical procedure.
Some chiropractors specialize in a specific area of chiropractic, including orthopedics, internal disorders, pediatrics, or sports injuries. These specialists see patients with problems related to their specific area of expertise.
Self-employed chiropractors must also take on various administrative and management responsibilities, such as scheduling, bookkeeping, purchasing equipment, hiring staff, and communicating with insurance companies and other vendors. All chiropractors must document patient case histories and treatment plans.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The majority of chiropractic care is performed in comfortable, clean, and bright private office settings. Chiropractors who work in a hospital or clinic are exposed to a more bustling, noisy environment than those who work in private practices.
Human Environment. Chiropractors see multiple patients on a daily basis, and, like other physicians, they must be friendly, accommodating, and reassuring. They normally work with a small administrative staff, other chiropractors, acupuncturists, and/or massage therapists.
Technological Environment. Chiropractors use a wide variety of medical equipment to diagnose and treat patients. They commonly work with stethoscopes, X-ray and ultrasound machines, otoscopes, percussion hammers, traction units, electrocardiograph machines, and nerve interference detection instruments, among other devices. Familiarity with medical, scheduling, accounting, and database software is also important.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students who are interested in becoming chiropractors should focus their academic studies in the sciences, anatomy, health, and communications. They should also supplement their foundational coursework with classes in mathematics, physiology, nutrition, and physical education. At home or in the local library, students can research and learn about alternative healing and holistic practices. They can also seek part-time assistant positions at local chiropractor clinics to gain familiarity with the profession.
Postsecondary. In order to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, prospective chiropractors must complete a four-year chiropractic program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). To be admitted to a chiropractic program, candidates must have at least two or three years of undergraduate education. Many applicants have earned a bachelor’s of science degree. Most undergraduates looking to enter chiropractic programs study biology, physics, and chemistry. Chiropractic programs offer students classroom, clinical, and laboratory experience in the sciences, spinal adjustment and manipulation, and physical and laboratory diagnosis.
Those interested in specializing in a particular chiropractic area pursue postdoctoral training in their field of interest. Chiropractic specialties include rehabilitation, pediatrics, and neurology, among others. To be granted "diplomate" status in a particular subfield, chiropractors must successfully pass specialty examinations offered by chiropractic specialty boards.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Chiropractors." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.