Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) focus on how the nervous system functions in relation to the entire body. Without performing surgery or administering drugs, Chiropractors provide care through postural and spinal analysis, massage, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Chiropractors generally believe that many disorders are caused by problems in the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. As a result, some utilize X-ray and other diagnostic tests to determine how to treat their patients. The large majority of Chiropractors work in private practices, though others work in group settings affiliated with a hospital,clinic or home health care company.
Completion of the chiroporactic coursework typically takes four to five years. Graduates earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree (DC). All chiropractic college admission requirements include at least two years of undergraduate study in the sciences, humanities and English, with some requiring a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Currently, all licensing boards also require a bachelor’s degree leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, a trend that is expected to continue. A chiropractor must be licensed in the state where he or she practices.