Chiropractors are some of the most highly educated doctors on your team. From the graphic below you can see that chiropractors spend 4,822 hours in the classroom during chiropractic school. This doesn’t include the previous hours of education we acquire while earning our undergraduate degree.
For example, I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Vertebrate Physiology. After four glorious years at Penn State, I went on to Palmer College of Chiropractic where I completed four years in my doctorate program. The first two years at chiropractic school include the same core sciences, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and microbiology as our medical school counterparts. When your family doctor moves further into their program they start learning more about medication while chiropractors move more in the direction of technique education. We learn extensively about different adjusting techniques for every region of the body before ever touching a patient. Some medical doctors, such as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, learn some manipulation techniques but not anywhere near the extent of a chiropractor. I know first hand as my lovely sister is a D.O. and works as a neonatologist in Pittsburgh.
There is a new degree emerging, as well, called Doctor of Physical Therapy. This degree focuses on treating muscular related injuries and rehabilitation. I think physical therapy is fantastic for knee and shoulder type injuries, especially in conjunction with chiropractic care. Chiropractic can focus on creating a stable structure that is properly aligned and P.T. can rebuild strength to get you back up to full speed.
If you haven’t taken the time to learn about chiropractic care now is a great time to learn. All insurances will help you pay for chiropractic care. Hospitals and our military are now incorporating chiropractic into their treatments. Wellness care is the new medical model with the Affordable Care Act. Chiropractic care has no side effects, no drugs, and you get to spend 20 minutes with me and my charming personality. 🙂
Chiropractors have an undergraduate and doctorate degree