Chiropractors

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Chiropractors are health practitioners that specialize in health maintenance and natural healing through caring for the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors treat all ages, from infants to senior citizens, and may treat a variety of problems or specialize in areas such as sports medicine or nutrition. In addition to current symptoms, they also consider the patient's posture, stress level, nutrition, and exercise habits. Thorough intake of the patient's medical history is performed, including laboratory tests and x-rays if deemed necessary. They then perform spinal adjustments to realign the spine and restore the nerves and immune system to its natural healthy state.

Those wishing to become a doctor of chiropractic medicine must have at least two years of undergraduate study before enrolling in chiropractic school, but many schools require a bachelor's degree. The first two years in chiropractic college are often spent in the classroom or the lab, while the last two focus on spinal adjustments. Candidates will receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree after successful completion of a six or seven year professional degree program and must then pass a state board exam in order to practice in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

While most chiropractors work in solo practices, other practitioners work in group practices or health clinics. Employment opportunities for Doctors of Chiropractic are expected to grow faster than average through 2016. For more information on education and career opportunities in this field, please visit the American Chiropractic Association and the Council on Chiropractic Education.