A Career Guide to Becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic Digital Resource

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD

What does a chiropractic physician
actually do?

A chiropractic physician or a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) specializes in natural, non-invasive health care, and is trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a full range of patient conditions. DCs consider the various factors that affect human health, including: biomechanical dysfunction, trauma, hygiene, stress, emotion, nutrition, exercise, posture, etc.

A DC performs adjustments or physical manipulation to the spine and other joints, but might also perform acupuncture, lifestyle and nutritional interventions, rehabilitation therapy, and diagnostic tests like X-ray, ultrasound, and blood pressure.

Chiropractic physicians are able to:

Treat patients effectively with a wide variety of healing skills
Practice as a primary-care (first contact) physician in most states
Run their own business or work as an associate in a group or integrative practice
Specialize in fields such as sports medicine, acupuncture, pediatrics, women’s health, neurology, etc.
Become licensed in all 50 states. Those seeking licensure as a DC must take national board examinations, as well as apply for licensure in the state where they plan to practice. The professional organizations representing chiropractic physicians include the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC).

If you are considering a career in chiropractic medicine, there has never been a better time to invest in an advanced degree in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also notes the expected growth toward chiropractic medicine. “Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. People across all age groups are becoming increasingly interested in alternative or complementary health care. Chiropractic care is appealing to patients because chiropractors use nonsurgical methods of treatment and do not prescribe drugs.”

At National University, we believe in bringing together professionals from a broad range of medical specialties for the benefit of patients and the healthcare industry as a whole. This makes our graduates ideally suited for the growing number of integrative practice opportunities. Compensation for working in an integrated setting is also more rewarding, according to the Chiropractic Economics 19th Annual Salary and Expense survey in 2016. The total average annual compensation for DCs in a solo practice is $121,900. However, DCs working in an integrated setting earned an average annual total compensation of $184,000.

5 QUESTIONS TO ASK
BEFORE SELECTING YOUR PROGRAM

There are actually important differences in philosophy among chiropractic schools. Some focus more exclusively on adjusting as the primary treatment for all patient conditions, adhering to a traditional “chiropractic philosophy” of health that originated at the turn of the century. Other schools, like National University of Health Sciences, use modern medical science, evidence-based treatments, medical diagnostics and laboratory tests, and never hesitate to refer or co-manage a case with an MD or other health care practitioners, when required. Selecting a school to pursue your Doctor of Chiropractic degree can be challenging. You should start by asking important questions like the ones listed below:

Integration: With a growing trend toward multidisciplinary and integrated practice settings, it is important to look for a school that prepares you for that future. This means a program where DCs train to work in cooperation with other health professionals, such as MDs, DOs, NDs, etc.

Primary Care: Look for a school that prepares you as a primary care physician. Most states define a chiropractor as a primary care physician, meaning you are able to serve as a patient’s first contact in the health care system, can diagnose and manage the full range of patient conditions, and refer and co-manage cases with physicians in other medical specialties.

What we offer: National University prepares graduates for the future of health care by offering a campus dedicated to integrative medicine. You’ll study and work side-by-side with students and faculty from its naturopathic medicine, oriental medicine, and acupuncture programs. This experience prepares you to understand and speak with a wider range of medical professionals when you graduate. In turn, you’ll be able to establish strong referral networks with other physicians, and gain respect in the medical community. Most of all, you’ll be able to provide better advice and care for your future patients.

Geography: Consider a school located in a thriving health care job market, which results in greater employment opportunities after graduation. Look for hospitals, veterans’ clinics, libraries, science and health industries nearby, as well as convenient transportation (airports, trains, buses).

Clinic Opportunities: Consider the clinical phase of the program. You should spend a full year treating actual patients under the supervision of clinical faculty, learning how to keep and read medical records, and gain the confidence and skills to succeed when you start your own practice.

What we offer: National University offers DC programs in either suburban Chicago or the Tampa Bay area of Florida. You have a broad range of options as an intern from our university clinics, to rotations in hospitals, veteran’s facilities, or community health clinics.

Basic Sciences: Review the basic science curriculum. As with any good medical education, the program should include a strong emphasis in basic sciences, with rigorous coursework in anatomy, biochemistry, pathology, and more.

Clinical Sciences: Review the clinical science coursework and practical training in the program. This part of a DC degree teaches students important skills in diagnosing patient conditions, performing physical exams and utilizing chiropractic techniques, physical rehabilitation, and diagnostic imaging. Students learn through practical training how to build successful doctor-patient relationships.

What we offer: At National University, your basic science coursework will be similar to that of a typical MD student, including one year of hands-on human cadaver dissection in our gross anatomy laboratory. Our clinical sciences will have you practicing examination skills in your first six months, with a heavy emphasis on thorough diagnostic skills.

Evidence-Based: Understand the technique instruction, to be sure that the chiropractic adjustments taught are backed by research proving their effectiveness. Look for a school that offers evidence-based instruction and technique.

Hands-On: Understand how chiropractic techniques are taught. Some chiropractic schools have you simply watch an instructor adjust for a long period of time, teaching you only how to “set-up” your hands for the technique. You might not actually get to perform an adjustment on your own until far into your training. Instead, look for a school that allows you to practice complete hands-on adjustments in class, under supervision, in your first year of school.

What we offer: DC students at National University learn over 100 scientifically proven adjustments, and master them with hours of hands-on practice. At NUHS, you’ll start practicing adjustments under expert supervision within six months of starting your program.

Tutoring and Academic Support: Check if the professors teach classes directly or use assistants. Ask if the school offers free peer tutoring (where senior students provide help in specific topics).

Business Classes: Discover what business classes are included in the curriculum. When you graduate, you’ll most likely be starting your own business, and you’ll also need to understand insurance, billing, marketing, and business management procedures. Be sure the school you pick offers classes that give you these skills.

Additional Education: Consider what extra courses are available to students on the weekend or online that could augment your primary degree. Is continuing education reserved primarily for practicing physicians, or is it also available to DC students? Does the institution offer an opportunity to enroll in dual-degrees or multiple programs so that you can earn more credentials with less time and money?

Strong Alumni Network: Look for a school where alumni are involved, communicate with each other and current students, and where you can reach out to them for mentoring and career support.

What we offer: In addition to opportunities to earn multiple degrees on one campus, National University offers an array of student support services that contribute to a successful educational experience. These include academic advising, peer tutoring, flexible tracks, various student clubs, and more. Business classes designed to help you build, market, and manage your practice are included in the curriculum, often with industry experts as guest speakers. NUHS has an excellent postgraduate department where students are welcome and encouraged to take additional courses that provide specialty skills for future practice. Finally, National University has an engaged alumni network that make themselves available to provide current support, mentoring, shadowing experiences, etc.