Chiropractors adjust the back and spine to improve health and minimize pain.
Chiropractors are medical professionals who primarily treat patients suffering from muscular and skeletal pain in the neck and back. They typically manipulate and adjust the spine to improve muscular skeletal functions, and often employ alternative therapies. They do not, however, use surgeries or drugs to treat their patients. Becoming a chiropractor requires several years of training and formal education, though it's considerably less than that required of medical doctors.
Undergraduate Work
Most states require chiropractors to finish at least two years of regular undergrad college or, in some cases, have a bachelor's degree. Aspiring chiropractors should take courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, natural sciences and math while in college. Candidates should also take courses in the humanities, such as sociology and communications, to develop a broad educational base. Whatever courses you choose, the important thing is that you fulfill the course requirements for the chiropractic college you plan to attend. Most chiropractic colleges require at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate study.
Chiropractic College
As of 2009, there were 16 chiropractic programs accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most chiropractic programs require around 4,200 hours of classroom, lab and clinical experience altogether. Students usually spend the first two years learning the foundations of topics like anatomy, pathology, public health, physiology, microbiology and biochemistry. The second half of the program focuses more on clinical work and hands-on experience. Students learn properly adjust spine and focus on more in-depth topics within orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, nutrition and physiotherapy. Students who complete the four-year program receive a Doctor of Chiropractic or D.C. degree.
Licensing
All chiropractors are required to become licensed by the state they work and live in. States always require the completion of a four-year chiropractor training program, though many also require two years of undergraduate work or a bachelor's degree. Candidates must pass a four-part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In order to stay licensed, chiropractors must take a predetermined amount of hours of continuing education classes.
Skills and Personal Qualities
Chiropractors are constantly interacting with patients, so they need to have excellent interpersonal communication skills. They should be able to relate to a wide range of patients of different ages and backgrounds. Chiropractors are usually detail-oriented individuals with a keen eye for physical irregularities. They need to have good manual dexterity, though outstanding physical strength and stamina is not particularly necessary. They should be patient, calm individuals who are committed to helping others improve their health and well-being.
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