What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts concerned with human health and disease processes. Chiropractors focus on a form of natural healing that improves a patient's overall health and well being without the use of drugs or surgery. A chiropractor, also known as a doctor of chiropractic ("D.C."), primarily diagnose and treat musculo-skeletal conditions.
Chiropractors make use of conventional diagnostic tools, such as physical exams, X-Rays, and MRI's. Chiropractors are best known for their ability to correct misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, which cause neck pain, back pain, spasms, and symptoms (pain, numbness and tingling) which radiate from the spine into the arms and legs. Chiropractors often use heat, cold, traction, vibration, massage, electrical stimulation, and exercise therapy as part of a treatment regime.
Some Chiropractors specialize in sports medicine, orthopedics, neurology, nutrition, internal disorders, and diagnostic imaging. Many back specialists consider chiropractic an integral part of an overall care plan for treating injury and disease.
About Chiropractic
Educational Requirements
Chiropractors must complete four or five years of undergraduate studies from one of the nation's accredited chiropractic colleges. Students receive classroom and laboratory instruction in anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry. Chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their final two years studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and treating patients. Before graduating, students must complete a one-year clinical-based program of "hands on" patient care.
After obtaining their Doctor of Chiropractic degree, chiropractors must complete two board examinations: the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam and a State Board exam for licensure to practice.
"Chiropractic Makes the Difference"
Credentials
Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states and must meet the following requirements for licensure:
- Graduation from an accredited Chiropractic college
- Completion of National and State Board examinations
To maintain licensure, a chiropractor must take ongoing continuing education courses offered by accredited Chiropractic Colleges, State Licensing Boards and Chiropractic Associations.