Chiropractors are considered physicians within a medical field. They are specialists and require degrees, certifications, and are overseen by a board. The state or area they are wanting to practice in may have slight differences as far as certifications, however the schooling is generally the same. In order to become a chiropractor they’ll need 3-4 years of undergraduate work, and then 3-4 years of doctoral work. It takes about 6-8 years in total to become a chiropractor. Choosing courses for their undergraduate degree such as human biology, sciences for exercise, or kinesiology helps build their understanding and prepare them for the courses of the masters and doctoral levels. Once they get into a chiropractic school, they undergo advanced coursework on the human body, clinical coursework, and then an internship. To maintain their chiropractic license, like most positions that have evolving information, they must take continued education courses. For most states, the license requires twenty-four hours of continued education every two years. These must be completed to renew a chiropractor license.
Thankfully, this means that when you have a chiropractor working on you, you know that they have had tons of hours of schooling, training, and testing before seeing you as a patient. Like other physician type jobs, it is not fast or easy to become a working chiropractor. Their jobs are both mental and physical. Not only do they have to know what they know, but they also help patients move around as well.
Chiropractor assistants also get to work within the field and help people. Assistants don’t require the same levels of physician training, however they do have a series of things they’ll need to learn in order to be successful in helping both patients and practitioners.
Becoming a chiropractic assistant typically does not require a degree, although many do hold an associates or bachelors in a related topic or field. A chiropractor’s assistant duties range depending on the practice, but can involve taking phone calls, scheduling clients, helping to prepare rooms, handling the insurance, and helping with anything else necessary. Assistants may help with some of the treatments, like TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular stimulation), which is the application of small electric current paddles that target sore muscles. This helps relax a patient’s muscles before an adjustment. Some assistants may also help with new patient intakes and prepare the paperwork before a patient sees the chiropractor. They will help understand the pain or issue that has brought you in, and help get pre-adjustment items done such as checking your weight and your range of motion. They’ll ask you to move your arms, legs, neck, and back, and ask you to tell them if any of the movements are uncomfortable.
Neither a chiropractor or a chiropractor’s assistant can prescribe medications. If something is severe and you believe medication is required, you’ll be referred back to your doctor. That being said, chiropractors do often prescribe vitamins, as most people do not get the doses of vitamins and minerals they are supposed to. Chiropractors will often recommend supplements that support strong bones and flexible joints. It’s important to never let persistent pain go too long, as pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. Most insurances cover chiropractic care. Call our office at 574-259-9355 to receive a free insurance evaluation. We will help you learn what care is covered by your insurance, including the exact number of visits and cost per visit. Active Health and Wellness Center is here to help you get back to feeling great.
