Educational Requirements

Education

The educational requirements for chiropractors are similar to that of medical doctors. In general, chiropractors must complete four years of undergraduate study from one of the nation's 17 accredited Chiropractic colleges. During the first two years of study, students receive classroom and laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry; the final two years involve courses in manipulation and spinal adjustments, as well as clinical experience in areas that may include physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition, biomechanics, radiology, and natural medicine.

Undergraduate study is followed by a one-year internship at a college clinic. Many chiropractic colleges rotate interns through hospital rounds with medical students. Many chiropractors also undertake four to five additional years of advanced or post-graduate study in a clinical area.

After obtaining their Doctor of Chiropractic degree, chiropractors must complete at least two board exams-the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam and the board exam from the state in which they practice.

Credentials

All 50 states license Doctors of Chiropractic to practice. All chiropractors must meet certain requirements, including:

• Completion of a four- or five-year chiropractic college course of study at an accredited program leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
• Satisfactory completion of board exams.
• Ongoing continuing education courses or programs offered by accredited chiropractic programs and institutions, as well as chiropractic associations.

Chiropractors also are able to obtain certification in such areas as orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries, occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, thermography, spinal rehabilitation and internal disorders.

Chiropractic Principles

When all of your body's inter-related systems-including your musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular systems-are in balance and functioning properly, your body possesses a remarkable knack for healing itself. This state is called homeostasis.

Stress, accidents, sports injuries, even over-exertion, can cause your spine to fall out of its natural alignment. When this happens, your nervous system ceases to function properly, and this could lead to back and Neck Pain, headaches, and other kinds of problems. Moreover, many types of pain and disease can be linked to problems with your spinal cord and nervous system. It is this "mind-body" connection that forms the tenet of the principles under which Chiropractors practice their healing art.

The two major, underlying principles are:

• The structure and condition of the body influences how it functions and heals.
• The mind-body relationship is essential in maintaining health and healing.

Put another way:

• Your body's functions are all interrelated, and its ability to heal is contingent on these interrelationships.
• A healthy body comes from a healthy nervous system, especially a healthy spine.

Chiropractors believe in a holistic approach to patient care by focusing on a patient's total wellness, or well-being, instead of specific diseases, or ailments. It is this intricate physiological and biochemical interrelationship among various parts of your body-including its spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular systems-that chiropractors dedicate themselves to exploring and treating, with special attention to nutrition, exercise, and healthy emotional and environmental relationships. When one or more of these systems is impaired, your body ceases to function normally and your resistance to disease is compromised.