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If you’re interested in becoming a chiropractor, you’ll need to complete a four-year chiropractic degree program. Upon graduation, you’ll need to obtain a license in order to practice.
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The Chiropractic Profession
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help relieve pain and improve function. A chiropractor is a health care professional who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based on the premise that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system. The term “chiropractic” comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and literally means “done by hand.”
Chiropractic is one of the largest primary health care professions in Canada. In Ontario, there are currently over 1,200 practicing chiropractors. The profession is regulated by provincial legislation in all provinces except Alberta and Quebec.
In order to be licensed to practice in Ontario, a chiropractor must successfully complete an accredited four-year chiropractic program and pass both provincial and national board examinations.
What do chiropractors do?
Chiropractors are health care professionals who are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, with special emphasis on the spine. They are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to give nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. (There is a common misconception that chiropractors only “crack backs”, which is actually quite rare.)
What education is needed to become a chiropractor?
In order to practice in most states, chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic college and pass a state licensing exam. Currently, there are 16 accredited chiropractic colleges in the United States. Admission requirements vary from college to college, but all require at least two years of undergraduate study, including courses in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology.
After completing their undergraduate studies, prospective chiropractors must attend a four-year chiropractic college. During this time, they take courses focused on subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and diagnostics. In addition, they receive extensive training in spinal manipulation and other hands-on techniques. Upon graduating from chiropractic college, students must pass a rigorous national licensing exam before they can begin practicing.
Some states also require thatchiropractors complete continuing education credits on an ongoing basis in order to maintain their licensure.
What is the scope of practice for chiropractors?
Chiropractors are primary healthcare providers who are trained to assess, diagnose and treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
They use a variety of techniques to treat patients, including manual therapy, spinal manipulation, instrument-assisted manipulation, exercise and lifestyle counseling.
Chiropractors are regulated health professionals in all provinces and territories in Canada. In order to practice, they must hold a valid license from the provincial/territorial regulatory body where they intend to practice.
Education and Training
To become a chiropractor, you will need to complete at least four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years of chiropractic school. During your undergraduate years, you will take classes in biology, chemistry, and physics. During your chiropractic school years, you will receive training in spinal manipulation and other chiropractic techniques.
What education is needed to become a chiropractor?
The path to becoming a chiropractor typically begins with completing a four-year undergraduate degree. During this time, students complete prerequisite coursework in the sciences, including biology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. After earning a bachelor’s degree, individuals must complete four years of chiropractic education at an accredited chiropractic college.
Following graduation from chiropractic college, candidates must pass a series of examinations administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). These exams assesses a candidate’s knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences relevant to the practice of chiropractic. After successfully passing the NBCE exams, candidates must obtain a state license in order to practice. Some states may require additional examinations or coursework beyond what is required by the NBCE.
How long does it take to become a chiropractor?
It takes a minimum of seven years to become a chiropractor. This includes four years of undergraduate study, followed by four years at an accredited chiropractic college.
What are the requirements for licensure?
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require licensure for chiropractors. The guidelines for licensure vary from state to state, but all require completion of an accredited chiropractic program and passing scores on national board exams. Some states have additional requirements, such as internship, clinical training, and/or passage of a state board exam.
The Chiropractic Profession in the United States
In order to become a licensed chiropractor in the United States, one must complete a four-year accredited chiropractic college program. After completing a bachelor’s degree, which takes four years to complete, one must attend a four-year chiropractic college.
Where do chiropractors work?
Chiropractors can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, clinics, hospitals, and group practices. Many chiropractors are self-employed. Some work in other healthcare settings, such as physical therapy offices or urgent care centers.
What is the employment outlook for chiropractors?
Chiropractors are one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. People across all age groups are increasingly becoming interested in integrative or complementary healthcare as a way to treat pain and improve overall wellness.
What are the earnings for chiropractors?
The earnings for chiropractors in the United States varies depending on experience, geographical location, and hours worked per week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for chiropractors was $64,470 in May 2012. The earnings for the lowest 10 percent were less than $31,030, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $142,950.
