- Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to help patients with spine, joint, and muscle problems, focusing on posture, pain relief, and mobility.
- It takes 4-8 years to qualify, depending on where you study.
- Chiropractic is regulated in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, but requirements, exams, and registration vary.
Want a hands-on healthcare career that doesn’t involve surgery or medication? Chiropractic might be a good option. In this profession, you’ll focus on diagnosing and treating issues with the spine, muscles, and joints using special techniques and adjustments.
Explore where you can study Chiropractic, or read on to learn more about the job:
What does a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors help patients with problems related to the spine, muscles, bones, and joints. These problems often relate to back pain, headache, reduced mobility, accidents, or sports injuries.
When helping patients, chiropractors don’t use surgery or medication. Instead, they use their hands and, in some cases, some special devices. On a daily basis, chiropractors work on:
- Assessing a patient’s posture and spine
- Performing spinal adjustments and manual therapies
- Advising on posture, exercise, and lifestyle changes
- Giving advice on what exercises to do or what lifestyle changes to make
- Collaborating with physiotherapists, massage therapists, or doctors when needed
Beyond private practice, chiropractors can work in sports clinics, rehabilitation centres, wellness centres, or collaborate with hospitals. Listing these options shows the flexibility of the profession.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Chiropractors aren’t medical doctors. In fact, chiropractic is considered alternative medicine. This means that its legal status isn’t the same everywhere. If you’re planning to become a chiropractor, make sure to check whether it’s recognised in the country where you’d like to work.
In this article, we’ll feature the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, where there are official regulations and Chiropractic degree programmes.
Is becoming a chiropractor the right path for you?
If you’re looking for a hands-on healthcare job where you help people manage pain, chiropractic might be the right job for you. Here are some skills and traits you’ll need along the way:
- Knowledge of anatomy, biology, and health sciences
- The ability to work well with your hands
- Excellent communication skills
- Empathy and patience
- Problem-solving skills
- Stamina to stand and care for patients
Physiotherapist vs chiropractor: What’s the difference?
Physiotherapists and chiropractors are often confused, as they both use hands-on methods to help people recover. But their education, training, and registration processes are quite different. Here’s an overview:
Physical Therapy | Chiropractic | |
|---|---|---|
Main tasks | Using exercises, manual techniques, and education to help people recover movement, manage pain, and improve strength | Using hands-on spinal manipulation to diagnose and treat issues with the spine, joints, and posture |
Typical patients | People recovering from surgery, injuries, chronic illnesses, or mobility issues | People with back, neck, joint, or spinal pain |
Education | Bachelor’s in Physiotherapy (most countries) or Doctor of Physical Therapy (US) | Bachelor’s in Chiropractic (most countries) or Doctor of Chiropractic (US and Canada). |
Training | 1,000-1,600 hours of clinical placements, depending on the country | Clinical training built into the degree |
Years to qualify | 3-8 years | 4-8 years |
What degree do you need to become a chiropractor?
To become a chiropractor, you need a degree in Chiropractic. The exact qualification depends on where you study:
- US and Canada: You’ll first need a 3 or 4-year Bachelor’s degree, ideally in a related field like Biology, Exercise Science, or Chemistry. You can then apply to a chiropractic school for your Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which usually takes 4 years.
- UK, Australia, and most other countries: You’ll need an accredited degree in Chiropractic. Most of these are integrated Master’s degrees, combining Bachelor’s and Master’s education in a single programme.
Training and experience during studies and after graduation
Chiropractic degrees include a mix of classes, labs, and hands-on practice with patients. After finishing your programme, you’ll need to register with the local chiropractic board to start practising.
Exams and registration to become a chiropractor
In countries where chiropractic is a regulated profession, you’ll need to get your licence before you can practise legally. Some examples are:
Country | Exam | Registration |
US | National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam | State Licensing Boards + Chiropractic Continuing Education (CE) |
UK | No extra exam for students who graduated from a programme in the UK | General Chiropractic Council (GCC) + Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses |
Australia | No extra exam for students who graduated from a programme in Australia | Chiropractic Board of Australia + Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses |
Canada | Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board exams | Provincial regulatory bodies + Chiropractic Continuing Education |
You may have noticed that there are continuing education requirements for chiropractors. This is because there’s always new research and updated techniques. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) often involves attending courses, workshops, or conferences.
How is becoming a chiropractor different around the world?
Here’s a quick recap on what you need to do to become a chiropractor in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia:
Country | Education | Registration | Total length |
US | Bachelor’s degree (3-4 years) + Doctor of Chiropractic (DC, 4 years) | Pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam + State Licensing Board | 7-8 years |
UK | Accredited integrated Master’s degree in Chiropractic | Register with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) | 4-5 years |
Canada | Bachelor’s degree (3-4 years) + Doctor of Chiropractic (DC, 4 years) | Pass Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board exams + register with provincial regulatory body | 7-8 years |
Australia | Accredited integrated Master’s degree in Chiropractic | Register with the Chiropractic Board of Australia | 4-5 years |
Final tips to succeed in your chiropractic journey
Make sure chiropractic is recognised and regulated where you want to work. Talk to students and practitioners in your area to get a better idea of what the day-to-day of the job is like.
When you’re ready, check out Chiropractic degree programmes on Bachelorportals to familiarise yourself with admission requirements and start preparing.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a chiropractor?
Becoming a chiropractor takes between 4 and 8 years, depending on where you study. On our portals, you’ll find Chiropractic programmes that take between 4-6 years.
2. How difficult is it to become a chiropractor?
Expect demanding coursework in anatomy, physiology, and patient care, plus clinical placements. Passion for health and people makes the journey easier.
3. Is becoming a chiropractor a good career choice?
If you’re looking for a hands-on healthcare career that lets you be your own boss, chiropractic can be a good fit. Chiropractors often get the chance to run their own clinic, and with more people looking for drug-free, hands-on treatments, demand for this career is growing around the world.
