Being a chiropractor can be a very fulfilling career. As a chiropractor, you use alternative medicine and massage to treat the illnesses and aches of patients. Your work helps patients avoid having to spend hundreds of dollars on prescription drugs that may do them more harm than good. Chiropractors also perform what are known as “adjustments.” A chiropractor performs “adjustments” in order to help patients achieve a higher level of well-being. The chiropractor usually sees many patients in a given week. He or she works with the back and neck region to relieve stress from these areas. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a chiropractor?” When you want to become a chiropractor, it is a good idea to pursue the necessary educational requirements.
What’s it like to be a chiropractor?
When you become a chiropractor, you will work with patients on a weekly basis. You may meet with twenty or thirty patients in a given week. During an appointment, you will ask the patient about which areas of the body that are bothering him or her. You may also ask the patient about any other issues that he or she is experiencing in daily life. A patient may be dealing with digestion or constipation issues. It is the task of a chiropractor to deal with these sorts of issues. A chiropractor needs to help a patient overcome these sorts of issues. The chiropractor usually recommends an at-home remedy that can help the patient deal with a constipation issue. If a patient is experiencing back pain, then he or she will probably need to visit with the chiropractor on a regular basis. He or she will need to get “adjusted” every week in order to alleviate back pain symptoms.
Education Requirements
To become a chiropractor, one will need to obtain his or her bachelor’s degree. One should focus on an area that is relevant to this field, such as biology or anatomy. If a college offers a specific program in chiropractic medicine, then it is wise to pursue this course of study. A bachelor’s degree program will take three to four years to complete. It can also take longer to complete if you decide to pursue a minor in health sciences or another related field. When you have finished your bachelor’s degree, then you should apply to chiropractic colleges around the country. There are over 18 chiropractic colleges around the country. These colleges will give you the opportunity to refine your skills as a chiropractor. You will also learn about the types of medicine that you are able to administer as a certified chiropractor. Upon completing one of these programs, you will then need to pass a state licensing exam. You will begin completing the national board exams during your last year of chiropractic school. You will need to complete all four parts of the national board exam. The national board exam is a very rigorous test, so you should invest in the services of a test prep company for assistance.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a chiropractor is about $67,000 a year. To get a job in this field, one can open his or her own practice or apply for positions at chiropractic offices. If you decide to open your own practice, you should be prepared to handle the accounting and invoices of patients. It is also wise to hire individuals with a background in business to assist you in the first few months of operation for your clinic. You may also apply for positions at local hospitals.
References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_12538_become-chiropractor.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/chiropractors.htm