What Is A Doctor of Chiropractic?

A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), is a physician who specializes in the conservative management of problems affecting the spine and nervous system. Chiropractors help people by finding and removing mechanical pressure on the nervous system - which is a common cause of many health problems.

Today's Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) has quite a bit more education than most people realize. All chiropractic colleges require a minimum of three to four years of undergraduate study prior to admission.

The first two years of chiropractic school is virtually identical as the first two years of medical school. In both programs, there is a strong emphasis on the basic sciences - including anatomy, physiology, histology, pathology, biochemistry, microbiology, toxicology, etc.

The last two years of chiropractic school are somewhat different from medical school. In medical school, the student focuses on pharmacology, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, psychiatry, internal medicine, etc...

During the last two years of chiropractic school, the student focuses on neurology, orthopedics, physical diagnosis, radiology, biomechanics, palpation, adjusting technique, laboratory interpretation, & physical therapy.

In order to qualify for graduation from chiropractic school, the student must undergo a one-year externship under the direct supervision of an attending chiropractic physician.

In order to qualify for a state license to practice, a chiropractor must first have successfully passed four levels of national board examinations - as administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). NBCE part 1 is basic science knowledge; NBCE part II is clinical science knowledge; NBCE part III is advanced clinical science written exam; NBCE part IV is an exhaustive, day-long practical examination which tests the chiropractor in all areas of diagnosis, x-ray interpretation, and adjusting.

After having graduated from chiropractic college (and being conferred the degree of D.C. or "Doctor of Chiropractic"), and after having taken and passed NBCE boards (parts I-IV), the chiropractor may then apply for a state license.

The majority of chiropractors concern themselves with the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractors are versatile in their approach. No two chiropractors practice exactly alike. There are over 250 different techniques, and each D.C. practices with a unique combination of one more more methods. But regardless of their technique, one thing which is similar to each chiropractor is their drug-free, surgery-free approach to healthcare.