A Chiropractor's Education

A chiropractor's education is extremely demanding and thorough. A student of chiropractic studies the structure and functioning of the human body, the disease process and how health is restored and maintained. Emphasis is placed on the management of spinal disorders and the spine's role in the individual's overall health.

A chiropractic student goes through similar undergraduate educational requirements for medical school, completing 2-4 years of education depending upon the state in which he wishes to practice. Undergraduate emphasis is on science, organic chemistry, general chemistry, physics, biology and psychology.

After undergraduate school, students who are accepted into a chiropractic education enter a 4-5 year academic program similar to medical school. Here students study anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, radiology, biomechanics and adjustment techniques. During this program, students must successfully complete a number of national board examinations required for license to practice. In addition, students must spend several hundred hours of internship in which they treat individuals with health ailments while under professional supervision.

Upon graduation and the passing of all national board exams, students undergo state board examination for the state which they wish to practice in. If successful, the new doctor of chiropractic will receive his or her license for the practice of chiropractic in that state. Once licensed, most states require the doctor of chiropractic to attend annual seminars in order to maintain a high level of competency and keep technical skills sharp and as current as possible.