How to become a chiropractor

A chiropractor is considered a health care provider within chiropractic care as an alternative health care option. Many people are not fully aware of the requirements involved in becoming a chiropractor. It takes a great deal of hard work and determination.

A chiropractor diagnoses and treats health problems that involve your muscular, nervous, and/or skeletal system. A chiropractor must pass several National Board exams and then an exam to be licensed in the state that he is working in. Medications and/or surgery are not used in the chiropractic care treatment. A chiropractor will direct you to a physician if he or she feels that it is necessary for your treatment.

A chiropractor believes that alignment of the body, when done properly, should return the remainder of the body to its prior condition of good health. He or she does this with manipulation, massage, and/or stretching techniques. The goal is to put everything back into place and this is most commonly achieved through realignment of muscles and spine.

A chiropractor uses force to a joint with his or her hands. In addition to the previous stated treatments, a chiropractor will use other therapies as well, such as heat, cold, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, braces, and/or exercise.

To become a chiropractor you must have a degree in the science of chiropractics. As there are not many schools that offer this education in the United States, and that are also accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, you might very well have to travel to another state to obtain your education.

A chiropractor is a doctor and therefore he or she must complete many years of undergraduate studies in addition to hours at an accredited college for chiropractics. A student in the field of chiropractics will have to study courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, public health, physiology, pathology, and microbiology.

In addition, they must be completely trained on how to use sophisticated medical equipment, examination techniques, x-ray equipment and procedures, and the technology involved in chiropractics. To obtain the expertise involved this usually requires going to college for approximately four years. If you desire to specialize in one area, such as neurology, orthopedics, or sports, you will find that additional education is necessary.

A licensed chiropractor can expect an annual income of approximately $80,000 a year. This would, of course, depend on several factors, such as working in a private office or having an associate in the business with them. If working privately, of course, the salary would generally be in the higher income range as opposed to working with an associate. If you are a newly qualifying chiropractor and just starting out you will be on the lower end of the income range as you are not as experienced as someone who has been practicing for several years.

RESOURCES

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Chiropractors

Payscale: What it takes to become a chiropractor

Chirobase:Why Becoming a Chiropractor May Be Risky

Spine-Health: CHiropractic Educational Requirements