Friday, July 13, 2012

ARE CHIROPRACTIC DOCTORS SIMILAR TO PHYSICAL THERAPISTS OR MASSAGE THERAPISTS? WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL TRAINING DO THEY RECEIVE?

Chiropractic doctors undergo a course of training after college which includes 4 years of chiropractic medical schooling, followed by 1 year of internship, and then often by 1 or 2 years in an associateship or preceptorship to further learn a specialty. They have a license similar to a medical doctor, dentist, or osteopath, etc., who are all primary care physicians.

Physical therapists usually have a minimum of 2 years of college, followed by 2 years of physical therapy school. They then become licensed "therapists" who require the orders of a medical doctor, a chiropractic doctor, or osteopath, etc., to legally treat patients.

Massage therapists are not required to have a college degree, and currently there is no statewide requirement in California for certification. Different cities have their own licensing requirements, ranging from a few month course of a minimum of 100 hours in Northern California to a minimum of 500 hours of massage education for most of Southern California.

CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION

After college, it may require as much as 5 to 7 years of further study before a Chiropractic Doctor enters into private practice! The education process for a Chiropractic Doctor (D.C.) is much like that of a Medical Doctor (M.D.), Dentist (D.D.S.), or Osteopath (D.O.). After college, the Chiropractic Doctor completes 4 years of education at an accredited chiropractic university. This is followed by 1 year of internship at a university affiliated clinic.

After graduating, Chiropractic Doctors must pass several stringent National Board Examinations, then take oral, written, and practical examinations for the states in which they choose to practice. Oftentimes, Chiropractic Doctors will then decide to enter a 1 or 2 year associateship or preceptorship in an existing clinic which emphasizes treatment methods in which they wish to specialize. This does not mark the end of the education process! Chiropractic Doctors are required to complete yearly postgraduate courses for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

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