Chiropractors consider musculoskeletal health to be essential.
Chiropractic study grew out of the belief that most health problems can be traced to the musculoskeletal system and spinal misalignment. Though not licensed to perform invasive procedures, a chiropractor uses a variety of approaches to diagnose and treat patients, primarily through hands-on manipulation of the spine, though other methods like heat, massage, ultrasound, acupuncture, and electric stimulation are also used. While not as lengthy as the educational requirements to become a medical doctor, chiropractic study is, nevertheless, a prodigious undertaking.
Undergraduate
The field of chiropractic medicine may be heading towards the requirement that all chiropractic school applicants need a bachelor's degree before admission, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the time of publication, most chiropractic programs require 90 credit hours leading to a four-year degree. Students should have a strong foundation in English, social sciences, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biology, physics and psychology.
Chiropractic Programs
Nineteen programs are currently approved in the United States by the Council on Chiropractic Education. Certified programs require students to complete a four-year course of study leading to a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The general requirement is 4,200 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical experience. As with medical school, the first two years focus mainly on classroom and laboratory work, with the final two devoted to clinical experience and advanced studies. Some schools, such as the Cleveland Chiropractic College (Cleveland.edu), which operates campuses in Kansas City, Kansas and Los Angeles, California, have accelerated programs in which students may complete their training in less than four years.
License
Individual states set the licensing standards for a chiropractor to practice in the state. Chiropractors must pass a the state administered test to practice. If the chiropractor relocates to a different state, he must pass that state's test before he can work there. Some states have reciprocal agreements with other states that allow chiropractors to receive a license in one state without taking another exam in the partnering state. Most states recognize the four-part licensing exam issued by the Council on Chiropractic Education, though some create additional test sections.
Graduate Study
Though not required, a chiropractor who has a special interest in a certain field, such as orthopedics, sports injuries, rehabilitation or family practice, can take a specialty exam offered through most chiropractic programs that transfers "diplomate" status and verifies that he has advanced knowledge in that particular area. This graduate level study is overseen by separate chiropractic boards.
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