Chiropractic Education and Training Explained

Chiropractic Education and Training is extensive, and your chiropractor has been through an incredible amount of it. Don’t be shy to ask them where they schooled and what it was like.

Chiropractors have all been through stringent and labor-intensive chiropractic education and training so they bring you the best care possible. It’s hard to get into chiropractic school and it’s even harder to graduate. Chiropractic credentials are among the toughest to attain of any of the health care professions.

Pre-Medical Undergraduate Education

Any applicant at a chiropractic college has already received up to four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education under their belt. Courses include:

• Biology
• Inorganic and organic chemistry
• Physics
• Psychology

All this rigorous training and education in the healing sciences is very similar to that of a general medical doctor. In fact, in anatomy, physiology, and rehabilitation chiropractors surpass the knowledge of most general practitioners.

Chiropractic Classroom and Clinical Training

In the United States and Canada 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience is the norm. It’s a long process, but working with things as delicate and complex as the spine and pain management is a lifelong learning experience.

Advanced Chiropractic Studies

Chiropractors will also typically have studied:

Advanced anatomy

Biochemistry

Physiology

Microbiology

Pathology

First aid and emergency procedures

Public health

Physical, clinical, and laboratory diagnosis

Gynecology

Obstetrics

Pediatrics

Geriatrics

Dermatology

Research methods and procedures

Professional practice ethics

Otolaryngology

Diagnostic imaging procedures

Psychology

Nutrition/dietetics

Biomechanics

Orthopedics

Physiological therapeutics

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More Chiropractic Information

There is a wealth of information on the web regarding chiropractic care. A good place to begin research is at the most reputable source. Chiropractic care is governed internationally by the Councils on Chiropractic Education International, (CCEI). CCEI is the official accrediting agency for chiropractic schools all over the world.

The World Health Organization’s guidelines for chiropractic care is also a fantastic overview document outlining what to expect from your chiropractor.

Feel free to contact us at Meridian Integrative Wellness – Jacksonville with any questions you have.