Work Activities/Work Locations
- Chiropractors, also referred to as chiropractic doctors, believe that many health problems are linked directly to problems of the muscular, nervous and skeletal systems.
- Chiropractors take a holistic approach when treating their patients. They use natural, drugless, non-surgical health care and rely on the body’s ability to heal itself.
- By using manipulations concentrated on the spinal column and the vertebras, chiropractors try to alleviate any stresses that may be affecting the nervous system.
- Chiropractors take the patient’s medical history; conduct physical, neurological and orthopedic examinations; and may order laboratory tests and x-rays.
- Chiropractors work in private practice, hospitals, health maintenance organizations (HMO’s), and chiropractic colleges.
- 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.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Employment outlook is expected to increase in the next ten years.
- About half of chiropractors work in a solo practice.
Education: 8 Years
Patient Interaction: High
Physical Activity: High
Salary: $68,755
Job Growth: Medium
Getting Started
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High School Courses
- Students should take a college preparatory curriculum.
- Helpful high school courses would include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy & physiology, foreign language (minimum of two years), public speaking, mathematics, and statistics.
- Participation in community and volunteer experiences is very helpful for admission into a College of Chiropractic. Healthcare volunteering, work experience, and shadowing chiropractors is very valuable.
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Education and Training
- The minimum undergraduate prerequisites for admission into a College of Chiropractic College do vary. Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN, requires: 6 semester hours of biology (with labs), 6 of general/inorganic chemistry (with labs), 6 of organic chemistry (with labs), 6 of physics/quantitative sciences/biomechanics, and 6 of English/literature/speech; 3 semester hours of psychology; 15 hours of humanities/social sciences; and 42 hours of electives recommending anatomy & physiology, cell biology, cell physiology, immunology, genetics, macroeconomics, marketing, small business management, public speaking, technical writing, and medical terminology.
- Most applicants have a bachelor’s degree, which may eventually become the minimum entry requirement. A bachelor’s degree is currently a requirement for licensing in Wisconsin.
- During the first 2 years, most Chiropractic Colleges 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 adjustment and provide clinical experience in physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition.
- To maintain their license, chiropractors must complete continuing education each year. This requires completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education each year.
Educational Institutions
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Pre-Professional Programs
Cardinal Stritch
Mount Mary College
Ripon College
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin – Platteville
University of Wisconsin – River Falls
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin – Stout
University of Wisconsin – Superior
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Viterbo College -
Method of Entry
- Undergraduate prerequisite coursework (usually a minimum of 90 credits) can be taken at any accredited college; however, because admission to a College of Chiropractic is competitive, most applicants have a bachelor’s degree (Required for a Wisconsin license) along with the prerequisite courses. Admission requirements vary with schools.
- Application for Chiropractic College is usually done junior year of college requiring meeting specific school course prerequisites, completing an application including an essay and letters of recommendation. There is usually $50-$100 fee.
- Graduates of an accredited chiropractic school (4 year) are granted the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic and are eligible to take tests offered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Part I, Part II, Part III, Physiotherapy, and Part IV Practical Examinations.
- Licenses can be administered upon the successful completion of these tests. Many states also require a state licensing examination prior to going into practice. Most State Boards recognize either all or part of the four-part test administered by the National Board.
- 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 requirements.
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Professional Organizations
American Chiropractic Association
1701 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, 22209
703/276-8800
www.acatoday.org/Council on Chiropractic Education
8049 N. 85th Way
Scottsdale, 85258-4321
480/443-8877 or 888/443-3506
www.cce-usa.orgDynamic Chiropractic
PO Box 28990
Santa Ana, 92799
714/230-3150
www.chiroweb.comFederation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards
5401 W. 10th St., Suite 101
Greeley, 80634-4400
970/356-3500
www.fclb.orgInternational Chiropractors Association
6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 800
Falls Church, 22042
703/528-5000 or 800/423-4690
www.chiropractic.orgWorld Chiropractic Alliance
2950 North Dobson Road, Suite 1
Chandler, 85224
www.worldchiropracticalliance.orgWisconsin Chiropractic Association
521 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, 53703
608/256-7023
www.wisconsinchiropractic.comAmerican Chiropractic Sports Council
1720 S. Bellaire St., Suite 406
Denver, 80222
303/758-1100
www.acasc.org/Association of Chiropractic Colleges
4424 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 202
Bethesda, 20814
800/284-1062
www.chirocolleges.org/American Chiropractic Association Rehabilitation Council
11600 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 412
Los Angeles, 90002
310/339-0442
www.ccptr.org/
Career Outlook
Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 1,030
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 45,200
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 53,100
Percent Employment Growth 2014-2024 (U.S.): 18%
Expected Annual Openings (U.S.): 1,600
Salary information is located at Career One Stop
Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.
- Chiropractors may work 40 hours a week.
- They can have the freedom to set their own work schedules
- As chiropractors become experienced, their practice grows and their salaries increase.
- Specialty councils within some chiropractic associations also offer programs leading to clinical specialty certification, called “diplomate” certification, in specialized areas. Ability to do additional procedures usually means additional reimbursement.