The chiropractic field is full of potential for those interested in the well-being and health of others. A chiropractor’s primary focus is the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders, with a significant emphasis on treatment through the manual adjustment or manipulation of the spine.
Essentially, they help patients maintain and recover their health, reducing pain and improving their quality of life. It’s a profession that’s as rewarding as it is challenging, requiring both clinical knowledge and interpersonal care.
In this guide, we’ll explore in detail what it takes to become a chiropractor, including the journey of academic preparation, the certification process, the necessary skills for success, job prospects, salary potentials, and the career’s personal and professional perks. So, whether you’re considering a career switch or just starting, get ready to dive into the exciting world of chiropractic – a career dedicated to helping others live their lives to the fullest.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
First things first: what does a chiropractor actually do?
As it happens, a chiropractor’s role varies quite a bit. They do things from providing specialized care to educating people about spine health and more.
Here’s a breakdown of what a chiropractor does so that you can determine whether or not this is the right career path for you.
Diagnosing Musculoskeletal Health Issues
A chiropractor is a health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating health problems associated with our musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. They believe in a hands-on and drug-free approach to healthcare that includes patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment.
Imagine having consistent migraines, and traditional medicine isn’t helping. Now imagine going to a chiropractor and finding relief through their non-invasive and natural approach. This is just one of the scenarios where chiropractors play a crucial role.
As a chiropractor, you would utilize techniques such as adjustment, manipulation, and stretching to increase the function and mobility of the affected areas and provide pain relief.
Educating People About Musculoskeletal Health
Another major part of a chiropractor’s job is providing patient education. For example, if a patient struggling with lower back pain comes to you, after performing necessary adjustments, you might guide them through exercises they can do at home to strengthen their back muscles and prevent future pain.
Specialized Chiropractic Care
There are also specialized areas within chiropractic care, such as pediatrics, sports, orthopedics, and nutrition, to name a few. For instance, a sports chiropractor might work with athletes and athletic teams to help prevent injuries, speed up recovery time, and boost performance.
Steps to Becoming a Chiropractor
Now that you know what a chiropractor does, it’s time to get into the meat and potatoes of how to become a chiropractor.
In general, you’ll need to follow a few specific steps. I’ve broken these steps down to help make your path to landing a job in this profession easier.
Step One: Undergraduate Education
The first step in becoming a chiropractor requires completing a Bachelor’s degree. This doesn’t have to be in a specific field, but a focus on health sciences, biology, kinesiology, or a related field will provide a solid foundation for your future studies.
For example, you may choose to pursue a BS degree in biology because it can give you a deeper understanding of the human body, which is a core aspect of chiropractic.
Step Two: Chiropractic Education
After completion of your undergraduate studies, you will need to apply for a Doctor of Chiropractic Care (DC) program. Admission to chiropractic school usually requires a minimum of 24 semester hours in life and physical science courses.
The DC program lasts approximately 4 years and includes coursework such as anatomy, physiology, and spinal assessment. Your time in chiropractic school can be challenging, but it provides you with comprehensive clinical, classroom, and lab-based learning that prepares you well for practice.
Step Three: Licensure
Once the Doctor of Chiropractic degree is obtained, you will need to seek licensure in your state or region. This usually involves passing a series of exams administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE).
Step Four: Specialization (Optional)
After you become a licensed practitioner, you might decide to specialize in a particular area, such as pediatrics, sports rehab, or neurology.
Each specialization requires additional training and potentially more exams for certification. For instance, if you have a passion for sports and want to help athletes maintain optimal health and performance, you may choose to specialize in sports chiropractic.
Step Five: Finding a Job
The final step is to begin working as a chiropractor. Some choose to join existing practices, while others may open their own practice.
This step is an exciting one, as it’s the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a fulfilling career where you get to make a significant impact on people’s well-being every day.
Step Six: Take Annual Continuing Education Courses
The learning doesn’t stop there. To maintain your licensure, you’ll have to participate in continuing education courses annually. This ensures you keep up with the evolving techniques and advancements in the field. And if you choose to specialize, for example, in sports or pediatric chiropractic care, you may need additional certifications.
Where You Can Study and Train to Become a Chiropractor
To become a licensed chiropractor, both theoretical knowledge and practical training are essential. Thankfully, there are numerous places where you can gain this comprehensive education.
Remember that choosing a program must resonate with your personal learning style and professional goals. An ideal college not only provides you with an all-encompassing chiropractic education but also encourages you to evolve as a community-conscious, ethical healthcare provider.
Here are a couple of options to help get you started.
US Chiropractic Education
There are 18 accredited Doctor of Chiropractic programs at 15 institutions across the United States recognized by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). It’s important to attend a CCE-accredited college, as only graduates from recognized institutions are eligible to take state licensure exams.
Some prominently acclaimed institutions include Palmer College of Chiropractic, which has campuses in Iowa, Florida, and California, and Logan University in Missouri. These institutions provide an integrative learning experience wherein students learn the science of chiropractic alongside exposure to real-life cases, which is critical for nurturing practical skills.
Chiropractic Education Abroad
Studying abroad is also an option if you’re seeking a diverse learning experience. Renowned international institutions such as the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto or the Anglo-European Chiropractic College in Bournemouth, England, also offer highly reputable programs.
Classroom and Hands-On Training in a Clinic
During your studies, you should expect both classroom learning and hands-on training in a clinical setting. Curriculums typically include course content on anatomy, pathology, physiology, chiropractic principles, and professional ethics. The capstone of your education will be a year-long clinical internship wherein you’ll put everything you’ve learned to work.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Chiropractor?
Any career journey takes time, and becoming a chiropractor is no different.
To start out, you’ll need to complete 3-4 years of undergraduate studies, typically in the realm of science or health-related fields.
Once you’ve completed your undergrad, you’ll then need to take a specialized chiropractic program. These specialized programs usually last for another 4 years, and you’ll immerse yourself deeply into the world of chiropractic theory and hands-on practice.
Finally, once you graduate, you will need to become licensed to practice. The process to obtain a license varies by state, and it might take a few months to a year to pass the necessary exams and meet other requirements.
If we total it all up, you’re looking at a timeframe of potentially 8 to 9 years after first starting your undergraduate study to become a fully licensed chiropractor, certainly not a small chunk of time. But it’s important to remember that this is a significant investment in both your personal and professional future, and the rewards can be very fulfilling.
Necessary Skills for Success as a Chiropractor
Becoming a proficient chiropractor requires more than just the knowledge and techniques mastered during your academic journey. Although these are invaluable, you must also develop a varied set of soft and hard skills to truly succeed in this field. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Finely-Honed Manual Dexterity
As your work will predominantly be hands-on, performing precise movements and intricate adjustments with your hands will be an everyday part of your role.
For example, a complex spinal manipulation requires not only knowledge and strength but also hand-eye coordination to perform the adjustment accurately and safely.
Critical Thinking Skills
You should be able to assess and diagnose the root cause of a patient’s ailment based on their descriptions of pain and discomfort and your physical examination findings.
You may often find yourself in situations where a patient’s symptoms don’t align with common issues – this is where your problem-solving skills, an ability to “think on your feet” and your extensive medical knowledge come into play.
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills
The ability to listen empathetically, understand a patient’s concerns, and explain medical jargon in layman’s terms is vital.
For instance, explaining a complex issue like a herniated disc requires clarity, patience, and simple language to ensure your patient feels understood and comfortable with their treatment plan.
Empathy and Bedside Manner
As a chiropractor, you are likely dealing with patients who are experiencing a great deal of discomfort. In such cases, showing understanding, patience, and nurturing a trust-based relationship can help make your patients feel safe and supported.
Average Income of a Chiropractor
As a prospective chiropractor, one of the vital aspects you’d be curious about is the financial reward. After investing significant time and resources into your education, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask, “How much can I expect to earn?”
On average, the median annual wage for chiropractors in the United States is about $160,000.
Of course, your income as a chiropractor can be influenced by a handful of factors including:
- Experience
- Specialty
- Group or private practice
- Geographical location
Due to these factors, you could wind up earning more or less than the average salary.
Benefits of Becoming a Chiropractor
As you embark on the journey to become a chiropractor, it’s important to understand that, while it involves dedicated learning and commitment, there are immense benefits to gain from this gratifying profession.
For one thing, you get the satisfaction of helping patients relieve their pain and discomfort, boost their mobility, and improve their overall health and wellness. On top of that, chiropractors have stable careers with a growing demand for their services.
Finally, after gaining experience, many chiropractors go on to start their private practices, setting their work schedules and specific service offerings. This means having the ability to strike a balance between your profession and personal life.
Typical Career Path of a Chiropractor
Typically, becoming a chiropractor has a career projection that you can follow. For instance, you typically start as a freshly licensed chiropractor, usually working under the wing of a more experienced chiropractor. This initial phase can last a few years and offers a priceless opportunity to cultivate in-depth practical knowledge and hone clinical and business management skills.
After a few years of working for others, many chiropractors take the entrepreneurial leap and start their own private practice. This means not only being a health care provider but also managing the marketing, finances, and day-to-day operations.
As some chiropractors mature in their careers, they might decide to venture into specialties. You can choose to specialize in sports chiropractic because of a passion for athletics. This means additional training and certification, but it opened up opportunities to work with local sports teams and individual athletes.
Finally, after years of successful practice and specialization, you may decide to shift into academia, becoming a lecturer at a chiropractic college. Others may find opportunities in research, corporate health, or consulting, depending on their interests.
Launch a New Career as a Chiropractor
Becoming a chiropractor takes substantial time and commitment, approximately seven years or longer if specialization is chosen. However, it’s a rewarding job that can pay off financially as well as by giving you stability and a sense of purpose.
By shedding light on the current job prospects and future growth projections for chiropractors, I hope to have instilled a sense of confidence and optimism about this career decision. Remember — with the right guidance, your passion, skills, and goals can be aligned to build a highly impactful career.
If you’re ready to take the leap and become a chiropractor, get in touch with one of our career coaches. They’ll be able to help guide you on this new path.