Chiropractic

The Profession

Who they are: Chiropractors, also known as doctors of chiropractic or chiropractic physicians, diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine.
Source: US Department of Labor

What they do: Chiropractors believe interference with these systems impairs normal functions and lowers resistance to disease. They also hold that spinal or vertebral dysfunction alters many important body functions by affecting the nervous system, and that skeletal imbalance through joint or articular dysfunction, especially in the spine, can cause pain.
Source: US Department of Labor

Where they work: Most chiropractors work in private chiropractic offices. Often, chiropractors own their own business. Some chiropractors do work in the offices of physicians.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Outlook: As a profession, chiropractic care is growing faster than the national average. In the next ten years, the profession is expected to expand by 7%.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Education

After completing a bachelor’s degree, students interested in becoming chiropractors must go on to attend a four year Doctor of Chiropractic Program. This program must include a clinical internship. Once a doctoral degree is obtained, students must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ exam. Some states have other requirements to obtain licensure.
Source: Discover Chiropractic

Resources