Who are Chiropractors?
Chiropractors are medical professionals who assess patients’ health status through history taking, diagnostic tests, neurological, orthopedic and physical examination. They establish patient management plans and treatment goals appropriate to each patient presentation. A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body’s main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient’s health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.
Doctor of Chiropractic Pathway
- Complete all prerequisites for Chiropractic School
- Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
- Apply to accredited Chiropractic Programs
- Complete Doctor of Chiropractic program (~3 years)
- After graduation pass the National Board for Chiropractic Exam
Job Outlook
Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,100 openings for chiropractors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. The median annual wage for chiropractors was $75,000 in May 2021. (bls.gov)