What is a Chiropractor?

A doctor of chiropractic practices within a branch of the healing arts concerned with disease processes. Chiropractic care is a recognized form of therapy that focuses on improving your overall health and well-being without the use of drugs or surgery.

A chiropractor, also known as a doctor of chiropractic ("D.C."), diagnoses and treats a broad range of physical conditions in patients with skeletal, nervous, and muscular problems, with particular emphasis on correction through spinal manipulation. However spinal manipulation is a small part of what chiropractors can do as part of an overall plan to relieve many ailments. Other types of treatments chiropractors are capable of providing can include:

• Massage
• Physical rehabilitation
• Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Exercise programs with instruction
• Heat/cold therapy
• Electric muscle stimulation
• Ultrasound
• Traction
• Nutrition and lifestyle counseling

Chiropractors are required to complete a course of study similar to that of medical doctors. Generally they are required to complete four years of undergraduate study from one of the nation’s 17 accredited colleges of chiropractic. During the first two years students receive classroom and laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, and public health. The final two years include hands on courses in manipulation and spinal adjustments as well as clinical experience that may cover areas such as orthopedics, geriatrics, biomechanics, radiology, neurology, diagnosis, and natural medicine.

A one-year internship at a college clinic follows the undergraduate study. Some chiropractic colleges have interns rotate through hospital rounds with medical students. Many students continue their education by undertaking four or five additional years of postgraduate study in a chosen clinical area.

After obtaining their degree, chiropractors must complete at least two board exams, the board exam from the state in which they plan to practice and an exam from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). All chiropractors must meet these requirements. They also must obtain ongoing continuing education credits.