About Chiropractic
A Doctor of Chiropractic is a physician who gives particular attention to the relationship of structural, physiological and neurological aspects of the body, and is educated in the basic and clinical sciences. Chiropractic science concerns itself with the relationship between structure, and function (primarily coordinated by the nervous system) and health / wellness.
The doctor of chiropractic’s responsibilities as a primary care physician include wellness promotion, health promotion, health assessment, diagnosis and the chiropractic management of the patient’s health care needs. When indicated, the doctor of chiropractic consults with, co-manages, or refers to other health care providers.” ( From the Council on Chiropractic Education Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs, January 2006)
A chiropractic doctor is probably one of the most misunderstood healthcare practitioners in the medical profession. In part this is often due to the narrow and limited view of medical treatment – administering prescription drugs and performing surgery.
Chiropractic is in fact the largest drug-free form of health care and the third largest form of any health care in North America.
What is Chiropractic?
The word “chiropractic” is a blending of the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means “done by hand.” Chiropractic is an alternative medical system in that the practitioner takes a different approach from conventional medicine in diagnosing, classifying, and treating medical problems.
Essentially, chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure – primarily that of the spine – and the body’s function. Doctors of chiropractic use hands-on therapy called manipulation (or adjustment) as their core procedure.
Comparable to an MD?
So is the training of a chiropractor as rigorous as that of a medical doctor?
The answer is a resounding, yes.
Today’s doctor of chiropractic receives an extensive educational background beginning with at least four years of pre-chiropractic study. From there they advance into a 10 semester program (3.5 years year-round or up to 5.5 years without summer semester classses). A student of chiropractic spends as many hours in the study of human physiology as that of a medical doctor. Chiropractic programs require a minimum of 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience.
Compare MD and DC curriculum
Minimum Required Hours
Chiropractic
College Medical College
456………Anatomy & Embryology…………215
243…………….Physiology……………………..174
296………..Pathology/Pharmacology…….507
61…………………Chemistry……………………100
145…………….Microbiology………………….145
408……………..Diagnosis…………………….113
149………………Neurology……………………171
271………………….X-Ray………………………..13
56…………Psychology & Psychiatry……..323
66………….Obstetrics & Gynecology…….284
168……………….Orthopedics…………………..2
2,419…..Hours without Clinical hours…..2,047