Chiropractors

Career summary

Chiropractors may also be called chiropractic physicians.

#From IA DB 8122 alt title list. Nothing else used from wois description.

# 3/25/19 lh

Chiropractors help people manage back pain and other ailments, including headaches and even the common cold. Chiropractors believe that improper function of the spine causes pain and other health problems. They use only natural, drugless, non-surgical treatments.

Chiropractors follow a routine to diagnose illness. They talk to the patient and take a medical history. They observe the patient's posture and spine. They examine the patient's body and test nerve function, bone structure, and joint movement. They sometimes use lab tests to confirm diagnoses, or x-rays to locate joint injuries.

Chiropractors use many kinds of treatment, such as:

• Manual adjustments of the spine
• Massage
• Heat
• Stretching

These therapies relax the muscles and stimulate tissues. They may also apply supports, such as straps or braces.

Chiropractors counsel patients about ways to stay healthy, such as:

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Stress management

Each time they see a patient, chiropractors write detailed case notes in the patient's chart. In addition, they may consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners.

Many chiropractors have their own practice. Others work in group practices with one or more chiropractors. In solo practices, chiropractors have many administrative duties. They hire employees and keep records.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Acupuncturists
• Athletic Trainers
• Massage Therapists
• Naturopathic Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physical Therapists
• Physician Assistants
• Podiatrists
• Respiratory Therapists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to chiropractors.

• Gather information to diagnose patients' illnesses or problems. Take a medical history.
• Write case notes in patients' charts and maintain accurate records and medical histories.
• Conduct physical, nerve, and bone exams, including analyzing posture and spine.
• Manipulate spine and other joints to adjust problems caused by illness or injury.
• Use lab tests and diagnostic instruments, such as x-rays.
• Use other therapies, such as water, exercise, massage, electric, or heat.
• Counsel patients about "holistic" health ideas, such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
• Consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners.
• Perform administrative duties, such as hiring employees, keeping records, and building a patient base.
• Apply supports such as straps or braces.

Common work activities

Chiropractors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Perform for or work with the public
• Process information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Use computers
• Develop goals and strategies
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor and control resources
• Evaluate information against standards
• Perform administrative tasks
• Schedule work and activities
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Handle and move objects
• Analyze data or information
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Think creatively
• Teach others
• Provide advice and consultation to others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, chiropractors:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They spend most of their workday with patients.
• Communicate daily by telephone, e-mail, letters, memos, and in person.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other practitioners and assistants who work in the same office.
• Sometimes must persuade patients to follow treatment recommendations, such as using heat or ice on injuries.
• Often work as part of a larger medical team.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Work very near patients. They must come into close physical contact to properly examine patients and administer adjustments.
• Are sometimes exposed to patients' diseases or infections.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is accurate. Errors in diagnosis or treatment could seriously endanger patients' health.
• Regularly make decisions that strongly impact the reputation of their medical office as well as their patients' health.
• Rarely consult another before deciding a course of action or setting their daily tasks and goals.
• Often repeat the same routine activities, such as interviewing and examining patients.
• Must meet by strict weekly deadlines. This can make the work atmosphere moderately competitive.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week, although longer hours are not uncommon.
• May work evenings or weekends to better serve patients.

Physical demands

Chiropractors frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for chiropractors to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for chiropractors to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Chiropractors need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Chiropractic

Other programs of study to consider

• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Pre-Health Services
• Pre-Medicine

Training

To work as a chiropractor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete at least two years of college courses;
• graduate from a chiropractic school; and
• pass a state licensing exam.

Education after high school

Chiropractic programs take four years to complete and grant a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. During the first two years of study, you take courses and lab work in the sciences. These courses include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, and public health. The final two years of training focus on spinal adjustment. You also get experience working with patients.

Before entering chiropractic school, most students earn a bachelor's degree. (This is becoming required by an increasing number of State chiropractic boards.) A pre-medicine or science major is recommended. If you earn a liberal arts degree, be sure to take courses in physics, biology, and chemistry. Some chiropractic schools allow students to enter after completing only two years of college courses.

On-the-job training

During your final year of chiropractic college, you complete an internship. During this period, you work with patients under the supervision of a licensed chiropractor.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. You should take as many science and math classes as you can.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Safety and First Aid

Many chiropractors are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many chiropractors are self-employed. Others work in small group practices. When looking for practice partners or hiring salaried employees, chiropractors prefer people who get along well with others. To build a practice, chiropractors must be understanding and demonstrate a desire to help others. They also must be able to work independently.

Tips

Talk with people working in this occupation. Do volunteer work in a clinic or doctor's office. Knowledge of the health philosophy of chiropractics is important.

Costs to workers

 Many chiropractors join professional associations, which usually have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Chiropractors must be licensed by the Washington State Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission. Licensing requirements include:

• graduation from an accredited chiropractic college approved by the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission;
• successful completion of parts one through four of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners test;
• completion of at least fifty percent of the required courses needed to complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited and approved college or university;
• completion of open book written jurisprudence exam;
• completion of four hours of AIDS training; and
• 25 hours of continuing education every 12 months.

The application/jurisprudence exam fee is $741 and the annual renewal fee is $566.

For examination information see the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners  website.

For state licensing questions, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Chiropractic Commission 
PO Box 47858
Olympia, WA 98504-7858
360.236.2822

# updated fees made changes/additions 1/23/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Chiropractors 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Self-employed chiropractors usually earn more than those who work for others. However, their earnings are somewhat low when starting a practice, and increase as the practice grows. This is true for any type of private practice. In addition, earnings are affected by the qualifications and personal traits of the chiropractor. Those who develop good relationships with their patients are more likely to have repeat customers.

Chiropractors who work full time in a group practice generally receive benefits, such as paid vacation and health insurance. Self-employed chiropractors must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

Location may become more important for establishing a successful practice. More associate positions may become available due to chiropractors' desire to reduce the costs of running a health care practice.

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 30% of chiropractors are self-employed. Most of the rest work in group practices. A small number teach or work in doctors' offices or hospitals.

Major employers:

• Privately owned practice
• Doctors' offices
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for chiropractors will increase as more Americans are drawn to alternative forms of medicine. In addition, recent research has shown that chiropractic treatment is effective and more chiropractors work along side other types of physicians in clinics. As a result, more health insurance plans now pay for chiropractic treatment. As the population ages, there will also be an increased need for treatment.

Other resources

Accreditation Commission for Homeopathic Education in North America 

American Chiropractic Association 
1701 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22209
703.276.8800

Council on Chiropractic Education 
8049 North 85th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
888.443.3506
480.443.8877

Explore Health Careers: Chiropractor 

International Chiropractors Association 
6400 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 800
Falls Church, VA 22042
800.423.4690
703.528.5000

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners 
901 54th Avenue
Greeley, Colorado 80634
800-964-6223

Washington State Chiropractic Association 
21400 International Boulevard, Suite 207
SeaTac, WA 98198
206.878.6055

World Chiropractic Alliance 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Chiropractors (29-1011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupation

• Chiropractor (079.101-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Chiropractor

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Investigative/Realistic

COPSystem

• Service Professional