Doctor of Chiropractic Career and Education – Vibrant Life
A Doctor of Chiropractic is a health care professional that focuses on not only the diagnosing but the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. More specifically, treatment is focused on the manual manipulation or adjustment of the spine. The specific goal is to improve the functionality of patients and to reduce pain.
Education For A Doctor of Chiropractic
For a prospective chiropractor, you are required to have a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree along with a state license. Typically, a Doctor of Chiropractic program takes four years to complete, and there are at least three years of undergraduate college education to be considered for admission.
Admission to Doctor of Chiropractic programs entails that one completes at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, and other Chiropractic programs require one obtain at least one Bachelor’s degree in order to enter. The majority of students who apply for a Doctor of Chiropractic degree typically already have a Bachelor’s degree to their names, although it is not a requirement. However, coursework in the sciences and liberal arts such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Individual candidates are recommended to inquire with individual schools, as requirements vary from each establishment.
A typical D.C. program will encompass classwork in the human sciences and will get supervised experience in a clinical setting. This is where spinal assessment, adjustment techniques, and diagnosis-making skills will be enhanced. There is also a business component, which may include classwork in business management, finance, and billing. A dual-degree option is offered for most chiropractic programs, where students may earn another Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in another field.
A prospective chiropractor also will typically complete postgraduate programs that will lead to credentials which will involve training in specialty areas. These specialties can include pediatrics and orthopedics.
Chiropractor Salary
As of right now, the annual median wage for a Doctor of Chiropractic stands at $67,520. Out of this median wage, approximately half of the workforce have earned more than that amount, and the other half have earned less. The lowest 10 percent of the chiropractor workforce earned less than $32,380 and the highest 10 percent earned $141,030.
The salary for a chiropractor is contingent upon a litany of factors. This includes the number of years that one is in clinical practice, the region in which one is practicing, and the number of hours worked. There is a direct relationship between the amount that chiropractors make and the client base that they are able to build. The bigger a base one is able to build, and the more partners in a practice they receive, the more they make.
Most chiropractors tend to work full time, but for every 4 that work full-time, there is 1 that works part-time. A chiropractor may work in the evenings, or if they want to accommodate the schedule of the patient, they may work weekends. There are also some chiropractors that travel to the home of the patient to give treatment. A self-employed chiropractor will set their own hours.
Chiropractor Demand
Employment for a Doctor of Chiropractic across the United States is projected to grow approximately 10 percent over the next 10 years, which is higher than average for all occupations. Pain and overall wellness are becoming a prevalent issue across the country, and many are becoming increasingly interested in complementary healthcare to alleviate that pain. What separates how a chiropractor treats a patient is that there is a focus on the limbs, back, neck and involved joints. Now, a chiropractor can find themselves working with other prominent healthcare workers such as physical therapists and physicians via referrals.
In addition, there are increasing opportunities for a chiropractor because of the changing demographics in the country. With the aging of the baby-boom generation, older adults will be more likely than the younger generation to have joint problems. This presents more opportunities for a new chiropractor in this industry.
Much like the salary, the demand for chiropractic treatment is related to a number of factors. In this context, the patients’ ability to pay is a leading factor for demand. Most pay directly or indirectly through health insurance.
Duties
A Doctor of Chiropractic will need a variety of skills in order to be successful. Finally, this comes in the form of decision-making, attention to detail, dexterity, empathy, organizational and interpersonal skills. These skills must be combined in order to survive a day of work. The day in the life of a chiropractor. Typically a chiropractor can expect to see approximately 15 to 30 patients a day across a vortex of ages. A chiropractor assesses a patient’s movement patterns and may need x-rays to observe the deeper problem.
Other chiropractors can expect to use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a means to reduce pain. Seeing multiple patients at a time is also a common occurrence.
The Rewarding Part of Being a Chiropractor
While becoming a chiropractor can be stressful at times due to the number of responsibilities entrusted to them, it can also prove to be a rewarding career. This comes in the form of starting a clinic. Planning your business and defining your brand will not only give you more name recognition but provide you with more opportunities for work. While you will most certainly have to invest some money for a building, furniture, and associated taxes that come along with it, the end result may net you a larger outcome.
However, the most rewarding part of being a chiropractor is the knowledge that you will be helping many people, especially with the older generation with their pain management issues. It will make a big difference in lives of many, and their activities of daily living will be enhanced under your guidance. That should always be remembered during the difficult times.
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Contact Vibrant Life Chiropractic today to learn more about Vibrant Life Chiropractic and how it may benefit you. Call Vibrant Life Chiropractic at (918) 740-1612.
