How To Become A Chiropractor And What To Expect

By Rebecca Shiffle


Considered as a form of physical therapy, chiropractic treatment is an alternative treatment that involves manipulation of the spine and the neuromusculoskeletal system as a whole. This kind of pain management is applied to people who obtained injuries or bone fractures. In the last few years though, even patients who experience severe muscle and joint pains due to musculoskeletal diseases like bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, among others also find chiropractic as an appropriate treatment method.

The term chiropractic is rooted from two Greek words: chiro (hand) and praktikos (done by hand). The person who practices it is called a chiropractor or doctor of chiropractic. Many are actually aspiring to become one because of the following reasons:

* Chiropractic medicine is an interesting profession

* It gives them the opportunity to serve people

* Employment security

* Job security

According to the Bureau Labor of Statistic, the demand for healthcare workers is expected to double by 2018. This means more work not only for doctors and nurses but also for chiropractors. Medical students also consider becoming a chiropractor as a quicker way to become an MD as the profession is more focused. For one thing, the duration of the study is shorter and the requirements are easier to fulfill unlike in the medical school. If you are an aspirant, have a checklist of what you will have to accomplish.

Do You Want To Become A Chiropractor?

One of the things that an aspiring chiropractor should look for to complete the requirements is the school's credentials. That being said, accreditation is very valuable because this will make you confident that the school offers up-to-date coursework, training, and high-quality learning. Accreditation also increases your chances of accessing bigger career opportunities.

Basically, a student is required to complete at least 90 credit hours in college. One can take a four-year bachelor course or a two-year associate chiropractic course. Obtaining a bachelor's degree is preferable, of course.

The first half have to be spent on learning mastering basic sciences while the other half have to spent on clinical sciences. Once the course is completed, a graduate must take up and pass the licensure exam, which is administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This exam is widely recognized but some states may also request students to pass other exams. The last part of the requirement is the continuing medical education (CME).

Annual Salaries of Chiropractors

Licensed chiropractors with less than one year of employment experience can only expect an annual salary range of $38,000-$60,000 and a little more if they have two to five years.

Meanwhile, experienced chiropractors earn as much as $130,000+ a year but the earnings usually go higher for an established self-employed chiropractor. Normally, chiropractors falling in the self-employed category earn as much as $177,000 a year or more.

People with various health and physical concerns, specifically senior citizens and emergency patients, need the help of chiropractors. Undoubtedly, they make up a quite important department in the healthcare community. This means that chiropractor can look forward to greater challenges and greater career opportunities.




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