Chiropractors are also known as doctors of chiropractic. A chiropractors’ job consists of diagnosing and treating patients with many health problems associated with the skeletal and musculoskeletal system. Treating the problems and the effects of those problems is the number one objective. Chiropractic medicine uses the overall health of a patient to help provide treatments without drugs or surgery. Chiropractors are able to help with recuperation and recognize many things that affect a patient’s health such as exercise and diet, heredity and ambient environment. Like many other doctors, chiropractors generally have a routine to get a diagnosis and to formulate a treatment. This includes a halth history and physical as well as other exams and lab tests. X rays and many other types of diagnostic tests can be performed with an emphasis on the spine and other bones. Chiropractors will look at posture and the spine, and will try to trace the problems and pains down for treatment.

There are many types of therapies used such as massage, water and heat, light and electric currents or acupuncture in some cases. Supports are commonly used in practice such as tapes and braces, shoe inserts and straps. A chiropractor will most times counsel a patient on health practices like exercise, nutrition and diet as well as stress management; so there are no drugs and no surgeries ever performed by a chiropractor. Some chiropractors will be specialists in areas such as orthopedics, nutrition, internal disorders, sports injuries or neurology.

Chiropractors generally work in a comfortable environment, and are known to be standing for long periods of time. Those who include x rays as a part of their treatment programs have to wear special gear to prevent dangers from prolonged exposure to radiation. Chiropractors generally work a 40 hour week like many other jobs, but longer hours can be found. Many practitioners that work alone will set their own hours and can work nights and weekends to make sure their patients have the times they require. Some on the other hand, are on call due to being in a large group practice.

All chiropractors are required to be licensed professionals, and this can take up to 4 years of undergraduate work and then another 4 years of Chiropractic College as well as a national board exam and state licensure exam. The majority of state licensing boards ask that a minimum of 2 years undergrad work be completed and many more are now asking that a bachelors degree be obtained. A passing grade of at least 75% must be made on a chiropractors national board exam, as with all other professional and health care professions.

Chiropractors are commonly mistaken with athletic trainers and massage therapists because they also treat patients and work against injury or disorders. However in order to have a job in either of these other professions, the amount of schooling is drastically reduced and no state board requirements are found on record for these positions. The closest doctor to a chiropractor in the same field is a podiatrist, as many chiropractors can specialize in other areas.