Careers in Chiropractic
The chiropractic profession is the second largest primary health care profession in the world and the fastest growing.
Chiropractic is a unique health care profession. It deals with the structure of the body, primarily the spine and spinal nervous systems, and the relationship between proper alignment of those structures and related bodily functions. It is a discipline that is firmly grounded in the science of anatomy, physiology, neurology and biomechanics. Chiropractic aims to maximize the inherent recuperative powers of the human body. It assists in restoring normal function to structural elements of the spine through the process of chiropractic adjustment. The chiropractic adjustment is a clinical intervention that is skillfully administered more than a million times each working day in the United States alone.
Chiropractic provides a natural approach to health and health care that is an essential and complementary component of the health care delivery system. It offers the consumer an effective, drug free, non-surgical intervention for a wide range of conditions. Chiropractic is very much in tune with the values and priorities of individuals who are seeking to take control of their own personal health and health care decisions.
Employment Outlook
Employment of chiropractors is expected to increase 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Projected job growth stems from increasing consumer demand for alternative healthcare. A new acceptance of holistic and complementary therapies has fostered integrated approaches to healthcare and has led to recognition of chiropractic by third-party payers such as Medicare.
In addition to general chiropractic practice, some chiropractors specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging.
Many chiropractors are solo or group practitioners who also have the administrative responsibilities of running a practice. In larger offices, chiropractors delegate these tasks to office managers and chiropractic assistants. Chiropractors in private practice are responsible for developing a patient base, hiring and managing employees and keeping records.
