Chiropractic schools have some of the most rigorous educational standards in the health care industry. Chiropractic College applicants are required to have completed four years of pre-medical studies. This includes: physics, biology, organic/inorganic chemistry, and laboratory studies. In order to earn a degree they must obtain a minimum of 4,200 classroom, lab, and clinical training hours. Lastly, in order to become fully licensed and earn their Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, chiropractic students must pass (4) National Board Examinations administered and approved by an accredited agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health providers. They are licensed to diagnose and refer patients to the appropriate health care specialist when needed. They specialize in the treatment of conditions related to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints, and as such, Doctors of Chiropractic receive advanced training in the spine, nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Chiropractors are also extensively trained in orthopedics, neurology, physiology and clinical diagnosis.
Chiropractors receive extensive training in anatomy, and they spend a good portion of their first year in the lab studying human cadavers. Students are given an in-depth understanding of how the body works. Extensive study in biomechanics further teaches them how the body and joints move, which is essential for properly performing a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractors also receive advanced training in subjects such as nutrition, exercise, and rehabilitation.
Chiropractors are well versed in laboratory procedures and diagnostic imaging. They are licensed to interpret x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.