A chiropractor is a health professional that focuses on treating both the neuromusculoskeletal system and other body systems through diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. They use manual therapy to treat patients with limitative or mal-functioning joints, bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves. The main goal of the chiropractic doctor is to relieve pain but also help people increase their range of movement by improving posture and balance.

Since the chiropractic profession has not yet been fully established in most areas, those who seek this career will need to prepare well by taking advanced science courses at an accredited college/university or through distance learning programs. These programs should also provide training with hands-on patient work. The Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree is an entry-level academic doctorate that requires four years of full-time study for completion. A master’s degree may be required as well. Most D.C.’s have earned degrees from institutions accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), though some D.C.’s have degrees from non-accredited institutions.

Chiropractors must take advanced courses in human anatomy, physiology, and neuroanatomy during their coursework. They learn the spinal column’s role in physical function throughout life and properly perform a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors normally go through 4 years of college followed by four additional years at an accredited medical school or college after graduating from high school. To obtain licensure as a doctor of chiropractic, candidates must attend accredited schools that hold membership with the Council on Chiropractic Education.

People turn to an eastern medicine doctor when they experience symptoms such as numbness or tingling in extremities such as arms or legs, back pain, neck pain, or headache. There are more than eighty colleges offering doctorate degrees for this profession around the world, with over one million people currently practicing. (https://www.sentrumklinikken.no/)

The presence of a chiropractor is not as widespread in the United States as in other countries such as Mexico, Japan, or China, where the profession has been practiced for thousands of years. The current population of chiropractors is small, but the future looks promising, with an estimated sixty percent annual growth rate between 2010 and 2020. Chiropractic students can be found studying at colleges and universities around North America. (https://www.sentrumklinikken.no/behandlingstyper/trykkbolge-behandling-kristiansand/)

This type of treatment has also attracted athletes that are always looking for ways to improve their performance or speed recovery from injuries sustained during training or competitions. Chiropractors who specialize in treating patients that have suffered spinal cord injuries often work together with physical therapists to help their patients recover mobility after suffering traumatic accidents. (https://www.sentrumklinikken.no/behandlingstyper/kiropraktor-kristiansand/)

The work of a chiropractor is challenging, but if you are interested in performing physical therapy on patients to relieve their pain and improve their health while helping them achieve overall wellness, this may be a perfect career for you.