A chiropractor is a Physician who has extensive knowledge of the neuro-musculoskeletal system and use non-invasive treatments to alleviate spinal conditions like low back, mid back and neck pain along with headaches and another kind of pain related to the joints and nervous system of a human being.
Change in the work culture and inactive lifestyle has given birth to a lot of pains and ailments directly related to spinal cord and neuromusculoskeletal system in the recent past. These kind of physical problems require more of manual and physical therapies than the medicinal or invasive treatment thus the demand of these professionals is increasing at a fast pace especially in the advanced countries where more and more people are involved in the professions requiring many hours of sitting and other work that strain their body structure especially skeletal system and nervous system.
As Chiropractic requires direct contact of the professional with the patient along with the continued active patient participation of the patient itself, thus the chiropractor requires a lot of patience, hard work, dedication, excellent knowledge and proper training to do his work effectively.
Chiropractor Eligibility
The minimum educational qualification for becoming a Chiropractor is Bachelor’s Degree from a recognised institute.
Chiropractor Required Skills
- Chiropractors should have great personal skills and demonstrate empathy to patients experiencing pain.
- They must also be very detail oriented and observant to make the correct diagnoses.
- Chiropractors must be able to handle the marketing, bookkeeping, and record keeping for their office.
- They should have good health and fitness with excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
How to become a Chiropractor?
To become a Chiropractor the aspiring candidates has to obtain any of the following qualification.
- A 5 year integrated bachelor degree; B.Sc. (Chiro)
2 - 3 year Masters programme following the completion of a bachelor degree; M.Sc. (Chiro). - Doctor of Chiropractic
- 2200 hours educational and clinical practice as a chiropractor for Health Professional like Medial Doctors etc. This practice is followed in countries where the chiropractic profession is in its infancy
Eligibility to Join a Chiropractic Course
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for joining Chiropractic course one should be at least 10+2 Class pass with Physics, chemistry and Biology (PCB) as main subjects. Alternatively, applicants must have at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate study leading toward a bachelor's degree, including courses in English, the social sciences or humanities, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Many applicants have a bachelor's degree, which may eventually become the minimum entry requirement. Several chiropractic colleges offer pre-chiropractic study, as well as a bachelor's degree program.
Step 1
Aspiring candidates can undergo four years Doctor of Chiropractic programs require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. During the first 2 years, most chiropractic programs emphasize classroom and laboratory work in sciences such as anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry. Last 2 years curriculum focus on courses in manipulation and spinal adjustment and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition. Interested candidate can also go for postdoctoral training in orthopaedics, neurology, sports injuries, nutrition, rehabilitation, radiology, industrial consulting, family practice, paediatrics, and applied chiropractic sciences.
Step 2
After completing this four and years Degree course chiropractors may take specialty exams leading to ‘diplomate’ status in a given specialty. Exams are administered by chiropractic specialty boards.
Step 3
Once completed with its education and required training the budding chiropractor has to apply for a license to do private practice. Interest candidates can apply for the same meeting the eligibility criteria that vary from country to country and from state to state in countries like USA, Canada etc. This license is issued to the eligible candidates on their clearing the necessary four-part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Chiropractor Job Description
Chiropractor seeks to diagnose, treat, correct, and prevent neurological, skeletal, or soft tissue dysfunction by employing manual and conservative therapies.
Chiropractor Career Prospects
New chiropractors are expected to have excellent career prospects in near future. Owing to the increasing demand with due to the recognition of this form of health care especially in the developed countries establishing a new practice will be easiest in areas with a low concentration of chiropractors.
Chiropractor Salary
There is a lot of scope for those who are joining the health care field as a chiropractor. Although earnings are relatively low in the beginning and but a couple of years dedicated work and some experience could lead a doctor to a pay package of nearly Rs.50,000 per month and nearly $60,000 in the international health market. There is no upper ceiling to the earnings of competent and capable private practitioners. One can also be a visiting physician or associate with medical doctors at several hospitals and charge by the hour.
