Posted on February 11, 2010.
Get an idea of a chiropractic career Chiropractic is a form of health care that focuses on the relationship between the structure of the spine and the function of the body. Also known as chiropractors and chiropractic doctors, they use a type of hands-on therapy that involves manipulating the joints and bones as their core clinical procedure. This career field manages to do very well without calling much attention to itself, and if you are good with your hands and want to get into medical practice, but want to specialize in one area and does not take much time at school, perhaps the career chiropractic is good for you.
How did it start?
The word "chiropractic" combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means "to do by hand." Chiropractic is considered an alternative medical system and adopt a different approach from conventional medicine in the diagnosis, classification and treatment of medical problems.
Chiropractic is a long and distinguished lineage. Chiropractic has been described by Hippocrates in ancient Greece. Chiropractic has come to us in its present form by Daniel David Palmer, who in 1895 founded the modern profession of chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer was a student of healing philosophies of the day. It was the observation that the body has a natural healing ability that is controlled by the nervous system, that the imbalances of the spine interfere with the natural functioning of the body itself was a concept borrowed from traditions of osteopathic and that we could develop a procedure to adjust the bones of the spine in order to correct this setting.
What kind of training do I need?
Most chiropractic training is a course of four years of study consists of two classrooms and clinical teaching. At least three years of college preparatory work required for admission to most schools of chiropractic. Students who graduate receive the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic and are allowed to pass the state examinations, licensing board to practice. Some schools also offer postgraduate courses, including residency programs in specialized areas, lasting two to three years.
Chiropractic practice is regulated individually on a state by state. Most states require chiropractors to earn continuing education credits in order to maintain their license. chiropractic scope of practice varies by state. They may be testing laboratory stage or diagnostic procedures, distribution or sale of food supplements, and even the use of acupuncture and homeopathy. Chiropractors are not licensed in any state to perform major surgery or prescribe drugs.
Who is the typical patient?
Approximately 200 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. Nearly half of these visits are to treat back pain or neck. Some of them are chronically ill and others are the result of accidents. Conditions commonly treated by chiropractors are back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries. Patients also seek treatment of pain associated with other conditions such as arthritis.
Back pain is a common medical problem, occurring in about one quarter of the population each year. Most people experience significant back pain at least once during their lives. Often, the cause of back pain is unknown, and varies greatly in terms of how people experience and how professionals diagnose it. This makes back pain challenging to study, because the spine is a complex system of bone, cartilage and nerve tissue.
What types of treatment for chiropractors to provide?
In general, the chiropractor performs a physical examination, with particular emphasis on the spine, and possibly other diagnostic tests such as x-ray. A treatment plan is then developed.
Treatment usually includes a patient's treatment manipulation. This is a manual therapy. Given my.