The Chiropractor's Education

Most people will be glad to know the education your chiropractor received was very extensive and demanding. The average medical doctor will attend approximately 4,250 hours of education depending on specialty and the average doctor of chiropractic has attended 4,485 hours of education.

Chiropractic students undergo thorough teachings in the structure and function of the human body, how disease occurs, and how to prevent, correct and maintain proper health.

Initially, chiropractors must complete - at a minimum - a 2 year undergraduate education, with most chiropractic colleges and Universities requiring a 4 year undergraduate degree in basic science. Emphasis is placed on the core sciences, including organic chemistry, general chemistry, physics, biology, and psychology.

Once undergraduate requirements have been met, a rigorous 4-5 year chiropractic program begins, which is very similar to that of medical school. Course requirements include gross anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, biomechanics, spinal and extremity adjusting techniques, along with a variety of other health sensitive subjects. Chiropractic school focuses on the ability to recognize and treat various soft tissue and structural disorders. Doctors of Chiropractic are also trained in identifying disorders that are beyond their scope of practice and when various outside medical referrals are needed.

During the 4-5 year program, doctors must have completed a number of national board exams required for licensure. Several hundred hours of internship are undergone under the professional supervision of a Doctor of Chiropractic. Many doctors also undergo an externship program to further adapt themselves to actual clinical practice.

After graduation, national board exams I-IV must have been passed, and depending on the individual state, a state board exam may have been given. Once these tasks have been met, a license to practice chiropractic will be granted.

Each state requires continuing education of your chiropractor and the majority of doctors routinely exceed the mandatory CE requirements to ensure a knowledge of latest techniques.