What Chiropractors Do

Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use spinal adjustments and manipulation, and other techniques to manage patients’ health concerns, such as back and neck pain.

Work Environment

Most chiropractors work in a solo or group chiropractic practice. A large number are self-employed.

How to Become a Chiropractor

Chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and get a state license. Doctor of Chiropractic programs typically take 4 years to complete and require at least 3 years of undergraduate college education for admission.

Job Outlook

Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 17 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. People across all age groups are increasingly becoming interested in alternative or complementary healthcare. Chiropractic care is appealing to patients because chiropractors use nonsurgical methods of treatment and do not prescribe drugs.

Growth & Trends

This occupation supported 44,400 jobs in 2012 and 45,200 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 1.8%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 14.6% in 2022 to 50,900 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 45,600, compared with an observed value of 45,200, 0.9% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 17.8% in 2024 to 53,100 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 52,200 jobs for 2024, 1.7% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.

Chiropractors Employment and Labor Information 2023

Chiropractors Employment Brief:

Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.

Chiropractors Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Chiropractors.

Chiropractors Responsibilities and Duties:

• Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
• Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
• Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
• Analyze x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
• Suggest and apply the use of supports such as straps, tapes, bandages, or braces if necessary.
• Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
• Recommend and arrange for diagnostic procedures, such as blood chemistry tests, saliva tests, x-rays, or other imaging procedures.
• Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
• Counsel patients about nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, stress management, or other matters.
• Consult with or refer patients to appropriate health practitioners when necessary.

Typical Daily Tasks of Chiropractors:

• Assisting and Caring for Others: Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources. Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Record patient medical histories.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Diagnose medical conditions.
• Getting Information: Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals. Gather medical information from patient histories.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
• Performing General Physical Activities.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public.
• Processing Information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships.

Chiropractors Skills and Requirements:

• Negotiation Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
• Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• DatabasesUsing a computer application to manage large amounts of information, including creating and editing simple databases, inputting data, retrieving specific records, and creating reports to communicate the information.
• NavigationUsing scroll bars, a mouse, and dialog boxes to work within the computer's operating system. Being able to access and switch between applications and files of interest.
• Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.

Chiropractors Education and Training:

Typical education for include: Doctoral or professional degree.

Chiropractors Salary, Wages, and Salary and Job Outlook

Chiropractors average pay is: $36.24 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees who work in Employment Services are the highest paid making $52.73, while NAmake the least at $38.66 per hour.Here are the top city/metro areas with the highest paying salaries for a Chiropractors: