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Are chiropractors Doctors? What do they study?
In most countries in the world, you don’t need a medical degree to be a chiropractor. It is a completely separate course to medicine. Most people are surprised that on average chiropractors study for the same, or even more, contact hours (4826 hours) than a medical doctor (4667 hours). (Source cited below)
Depending on the country of study, chiropractors will usually end up with a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Bachelor or Masters of Chiropractic, or a Bachelor of applied Science in Chiropractic. So, the correct way to refer to a chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic or simply Chiropractor (again depending on the country).
What is the difference between a chiropractor and a doctor’s study?
Compared to a medical degree, a chiropractic degree will tend to focus more on anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, x-ray, and othopaedics. Three areas of focus will make up more than half the clinical sciences study: spinal analysis & manipulation technique, clinical/physical diagnosis, and diagnosis imaging.
As a result, the main tools the medical profession use to help people with musculo-skeletal problems tend to be advice, medication, and surgery. In contrast, chiropractors use their hands to feel the spine directly, then use spinal manipulation, and often modalities, massage, advice, and exercises.
I personally studied a 5 year full time degree at RMIT, Melbourne, and received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chiropractic and am a member of the Spanish Association of Chiropractors where we complete professional studies each year (eg. Global Education Network of Chiropractic) to maintain our status as a chiropractor.
Should You See A Physiotherapist Or A Chiropractor?
Sources:
“Chiropractic Education: A Comparison to Medical Education,” MAC Journal (April 2009)
Coulter, Ian, “A Comparative Study of Chiropractic and Medical Education.” Alternative Therapies (September 1998), Vol. 4, No. 5
Parker Foundation, “How Well Educated is Your Chiropractor?”
