Chiropractors work with patients to diagnose and treat problems with the spine, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems to help other body systems work properly.
They believe that the spine is the start of everything and most body pain begin with the skeletal imbalance of the spine. Chiropractors are also referred to as chiropractic physicians or doctors of chiropractic and may specialize in areas such as pediatrics, sports injuries, orthopedics, and neurology. Many duties that Chiropractors have to preform are to evaluate and examine the patient.They are required to review the patient’s medical history and question the patient about that history to avoid reinjuring. Chiropractors must be able to examine and identify problems through an X-ray, and diagnose the patient. They must manually adjust the spine, or other parts of the body, in order to correct the problem within the spine or affected area.
The setting of a chiropractor varies from person to person. They can be in a spacious office setting or a hospital. Many chiropractors choose to take the solo or partnership route and must know how to manage a small business.The hours of a chiropractor can be very flexible, but they are still extensive.
Although most chiropractors work full time, 21 percent worked part time in 2010. About 1 out of 4 chiropractors worked 50 hours or more per week. Chiropractors may work in the evenings to accommodate working patients. Self-employed chiropractors set their own hours. Chiropractors are generally needed everywhere, but the state with the least amount is Iowa. There are many more job openings in rural areas due to the population, which is why many chiropractors will eventually go rural to build up clientele and be familiar with everyone.
The average pay of chiropractors is $67,200. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $143,670. Chiropractors tend to earn a lot less early in their careers and then earn more as they build a clientele and become owners of or partners in a clinic. Advantages of being a chiropractor are very abundant. One advantage is the pay, if you are good at it and are very good about getting your name out there you will be very successful. Another one is the fact that you get to help people and in many cases this help is demonstrated almost instantly.
A very good advantage is in chiropractic medicine there is very little Malpractice suits. Among doctors sued, chiropractors are not very common. Like most jobs there are disadvantages also. One of those is school costs anywhere from $60,000-$100,000. That is not including the 1-3 years of pre requisites just to get into chiropractic school.
It is very hard to start running a business. This is because while you also have to get your name out there to get patients in the door, you also have to be keeping them happy.It is also physically hard after a long days work. Spinal manipulations involve a lot from your body physically to adjust others’ spines. It is also hard to move because if you get your license in say, Nevada, it can be very difficult trying to get a license in California, Florida etc. If you want to move to another state, be prepared to take the board exam all over again.
The job trends for chiropractors have been relatively low for most of 2013 but recently have spiked to an increase of 23%.In the education, chiropractors are required to have a Doctor of Chiropractic (D. C. ) degree, a postgraduate professional degree that takes 4 years to complete. Admission to D. C.
programs requires at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, with courses like physics, chemistry, and biology. Although not required, many students earn a bachelor’s degree before going on to a chiropractic program. Chiropractors also may gain master’s degrees in related areas, such as nutrition or sports rehabilitation.There are many schools that offer a D. C program, universities such as Palmer University, University of Western States, Parker University, and Sherman College of Chiropractic. Traits a chiropractor need are good listening skills and are great at getting to know the patient by communicating with them and tending to all of their needs.
They are 'present' at all times with their patient, which means they are never thinking about other things besides what is at hand with the patient. And finally they must be optimistic. Optimism is a vital key in relaxing a patient.They must be able to put their patient at ease with their positive views and good attitude.
Chiropractors are vital to the sports medicine team. If a player happens to become injured in is back or back soreness occurs, they can send them to a chiropractor. From there the chiropractor can get an x-ray and determine whether or not the patient should receive surgical help or could just in general need an adjustment. If no surgical help is needed the chiropractor can adjust the athlete and in many cases receive instant relieve in the back or other parts of the body.
Then the athlete will go back into the extracurricular activity he or she was involved in. the main professional organization in chiropractic is the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). It is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. On their website they state that the “ACA [is there to] promote the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. ”
