Career
Center Resources
Nature of the Work | Working
Conditions | Employment
| Training, Other Qualifications,
and Advancement | Job Outlook
| Earnings |
Related Occupations | Sources
of Additional Information Significant
Points Employment of chiropractors is expected to increase faster
than average, and job prospects should be good. Chiropractic care of back, neck, extremities, and other
joint damage has become more accepted as a result of recent
research and changing attitudes. In chiropractic, as in other types of independent practice,
earnings are relatively low in the beginning, but increase
as the practice grows. 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. 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. The chiropractic approach to healthcare is holistic, stressing
the patient's overall health and wellness. It recognizes that many
factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment,
and heredity. Chiropractors provide natural, drugless, nonsurgical
health treatments, and rely on the body's inherent recuperative
abilities. They also recommend lifestyle changes - in eating, exercise,
and sleeping habits, for example - to their patients. When appropriate,
chiropractors consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners. Like other health practitioners, chiropractors follow a standard
routine to secure the information needed for diagnosis and treatment.
They take the patient's medical history, conduct physical, neurological,
and orthopedic examinations, and may order laboratory tests. X rays
and other diagnostic images are important tools because of the emphasis
on the spine and its proper function. Chiropractors also employ
a postural and spinal analysis common to chiropractic diagnosis. In cases in which difficulties can be traced to involvement of
musculoskeletal structures, chiropractors manually adjust the spinal
column. Some chiropractors use water, light, massage, ultrasound,
electric, and heat therapy. They also may apply supports such as
straps, tapes, and braces. Chiropractors counsel patients about
wellness concepts such as nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes,
and stress management, but do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery. Some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics,
pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging. Many chiropractors are solo or group practitioners who also have
the administrative responsibilities of running a practice. In larger
offices, chiropractors delegate these tasks to office managers and
chiropractic assistants. Chiropractors in private practice are responsible
for developing a patient base, hiring employees, and keeping records. Chiropractors work in clean, comfortable offices. The average workweek
is about 40 hours, although longer hours are not uncommon. Solo
practitioners set their own hours, but may work evenings or weekends
to accommodate patients. Chiropractors, like other health practitioners, are sometimes on
their feet for long periods. Chiropractors who take x rays must
employ appropriate precautions against the dangers of repeated exposure
to radiation. Chiropractors held about 50,000 jobs in 2000. Most chiropractors
are in solo practice, although some are in group practice or work
for other chiropractors. A small number teach, conduct research
at chiropractic institutions, or work in hospitals and clinics.
Many chiropractors are located in small communities. There are
geographic imbalances in the distribution of chiropractors, in part
because many establish practices close to chiropractic institutions.
All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of
chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors who meet educational
and examination requirements established by the State. Chiropractors
can only practice in States where they are licensed. Some States
have agreements permitting chiropractors licensed in one State to
obtain a license in another without further examination, provided
that educational, examination, and practice credentials meet State
specifications. Most State boards require at least 2 years of undergraduate education,
and an increasing number require a 4-year bachelor's degree. All
boards require completion of a 4-year chiropractic college course
at an accredited program leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
For licensure, most State boards recognize either all or part of
the four-part test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic
Examiners. State examinations may supplement the National Board
tests, depending on State requirements. To maintain licensure, almost all States require completion of
a specified number of hours of continuing education each year. Continuing
education programs are offered by accredited chiropractic programs
and institutions, and chiropractic associations. Specialty councils
within some chiropractic associations also offer programs leading
to clinical specialty certification, called "diplomate"
certification, in areas such as orthopedics, neurology, sports injuries,
occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging,
thermography, and internal disorders. In 2000, there were 16 chiropractic programs and institutions in
the United States accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education.
All required applicants to have at least 60 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 prechiropractic study, as well
as a bachelor's degree program. Recognition of prechiropractic education
offered by chiropractic colleges varies among the State boards.
During the first 2 years, most chiropractic programs emphasize
classroom and laboratory work in basic science subjects such as
anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and
biochemistry. The last 2 years stress courses in manipulation and
spinal adjustments, and provide clinical experience in physical
and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy,
and nutrition. Chiropractic programs and institutions grant the
degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). Chiropractic requires keen observation to detect physical abnormalities.
It also takes considerable hand dexterity to perform adjustments,
but not unusual strength or endurance. Chiropractors should be able
to work independently and handle responsibility. As in other health-related
occupations, empathy, understanding, and the desire to help others
are good qualities for dealing effectively with patients. Newly licensed chiropractors can set up a new practice, purchase
an established one, or enter into partnership with an established
practitioner. They also may take a salaried position with an established
chiropractor, a group practice, or a healthcare facility. Job prospects are expected to be good for persons who enter the
practice of chiropractic. Employment of chiropractors is expected
to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the
year 2010 as consumer demand for alternative healthcare grows. Chiropractors
emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyles and do not prescribe
drugs or perform surgery. As a result, chiropractic care is appealing
to many health-conscious Americans. Chiropractic treatment of back,
neck, extremities, and other joint damage has become more accepted
as a result of recent research and changing attitudes about alternative
healthcare practices. The rapidly expanding older population, with
their increased likelihood of mechanical and structural problems,
also will increase demand. Demand for chiropractic treatment is also related to the ability
of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance.
Although more insurance plans now cover chiropractic services, the
extent of such coverage varies among plans. Increasingly, chiropractors
must educate communities about the benefits of chiropractic care
in order to establish a successful practice. In this occupation, replacement needs arise almost entirely from
retirements. Chiropractors usually remain in the occupation until
they retire; few transfer to other occupations. Establishing a new
practice will be easiest in areas with a low concentration of chiropractors.
Median annual earnings of salaried chiropractors were $67,030 in
2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,030 and $105,520
a year. Self-employed chiropractors usually earn more than salaried
chiropractors. According to the American Chiropractic Association,
in 2000, the average income for all chiropractors, including the
self-employed, was about $81,500 after expenses. In chiropractic,
as in other types of independent practice, earnings are relatively
low in the beginning, and increase as the practice grows. Earnings
also are influenced by the characteristics and qualifications of
the practitioner, and geographic location. Self-employed chiropractors
must provide for their own health insurance and retirement. Chiropractors treat and work to prevent bodily disorders and injuries.
So do dentists, occupational therapists, optometrists, physical
therapists, physicians and surgeons, podiatrists, and veterinarians.
General information on chiropractic as a career is available from:
American Chiropractic Association International Chiropractors Association World Chiropractic Alliance Dynamic Chiropractic Council on Chiropractic Education Federation of Chiropractic Licensing BoardsChiropractors
Nature of the Work
Working Conditions
Employment
Training, Other Qualifications,
and Advancement
Job Outlook
Earnings
Related Occupations
Sources of Additional Information
1701 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.
Internet: http://www.amerchiro.org
1110 North Glebe Rd., Suite 1000, Arlington , VA 22201.
Internet: http://chiropractic.org
2950 N. Dobson Rd., Suite 1, Chandler, AZ 85224-1802.
Internet:
http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org
P.O. Box 40109, Huntington, CA 92605.
7975 North Hayden Rd., Suite A-210, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
For information on State education and licensure requirements, contact:
901 54th Ave. , Suite 101, Greeley , CO 80634.
Internet: http://www.fclb.org
