How To Become A Chiropractor

Do you really want to become a chiropractor?

Start by researching and evaluating what a chiropractor's job entails.

• Job Duties - Chiropractor's job duties include diagnoising and treating a patients's neuromusculoskeletal problems related posture, spine, joints, and reflexes.etc. Chiropractor's treat patients condition by providing other therapies such as massage therapy, electrical massage stimulation, and rehabilitative exercises. Chiropractor's advise patients on health and lifestyle changes, maintaining good posture, and recommending exercises and nutrition. Do these job duties excite you?

• QualitiesChiropractors require certain qualities to be happy and successful in their job such as - communication skills, decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, empathy, dexterity etc. Do you have, or can you develop, these qualities?

• Work Schedule - Most chiropractor's setup their own clinics and have a flexible schedule. Are you open to this work schedule?

• Education - You will need a minimum of 6 years of education after high school - 4 years for a bachelors degree followed by 2 years for a graduate degree in Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.).

  In addition to graduating degree with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, Chiropractor's need to gain additional license's and certifications. Are you committed to these education requirements?

• Pay - Chiropractor's salary ranges from below $37,400 to $128,750 and above. Salary depends on the number of years of experience, specialization in certain areas, and job location. Will you be satisfied with this salary range?

If possible volunteer in a chiropractor's clinic.

Volunteering will give you a first hand view of a chiropractors duties, responsibilities, qualities, and daily job duties and schedule.

Volunteering in a chiropractor's clinic will give you the opportunities to connect with chiropractor's. Talk to them and get their inputs - what they like about their job, what they do not like about their job etc.

Volunteer for a few months, for a few hours every week, and you will get a fairly good idea if becoming a chiropractor is the right career for you.

You need a 4 years bachelors degree before you can apply for a graduate school to gain your master's degree in Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.).

You can graduate in any major, but majors such as Biology, Healthcare, Kinesiology, etc. will help you in your graduate school application.

During your bachelors studies, continue to volunteer and shadow in chiropractic hospital.

After a bachelor's degree, gain a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree which is the minimum qualification required for you to become a chiropractor.

Consider getting certifications that will qualify you to work as a chiropractor in specialized areas. The pay increases if you specialize and gain expertise in a certain areas such as sports.

There are many organizations and institutions related to chiropractise that you can become a member of and network with like-minded professionals.

Networking with other chiropractors and health care professionals, and exchanging ideas will help you keep up to date with the latest trends in the medical field.

Networking with other professionals will also help you find better job opportunities.

Continuously strive to excel and grow in your career as a chiropractor - improve ways to communicate and advice patients, create new and optimized ways to treat your patients with their neuromusculo problems.