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Career Advice on How to Become a Chiropractor

General Career Information

Does the idea of getting to put your hands all over strange men and women all day really do it for you? If so, then you might be a future chiropractor. Chiropractors, also known as “doctors of chiropractic,” treat people who are having health problems, especially those related to the musculoskeletal system. In general, the idea behind chiropractic science is that spinal joint misalignments can cause problems with the nervous system. These problems in turn can harm patients in many ways, which range from weak immune systems to a general decrease in overall health. 
 

Career Facts:

Over fifty percent of all chiropractors are self-employed. This means that you very likely will have your own office and spend a lot of time seeing patients and thinking about promoting your business. 

 

Most chiropractors attend a four-year chiropractic college after their undergraduate work is completed. You then must pass state and national exams. Those interested in becoming chiropractors must add this fact into their career planning. You will have at least ninety undergraduate hours, including work in the sciences.

 

Career Opportunities and Job Outlook-Good:

Due to the ever-increasing amount of lumbering, fast food munching baby boomers looming on the horizon, chiropractors should have no trouble finding work. The rate of growth for chiropractors is expected to be about fourteen percent by 2016. The projected total of chiropractors by 2016 will be roughly 60,000. Therefore, if you are planning to become a chiropractor, your job search should be fairly easy in the foreseeable future.
 
Job Outlook is Good
 

A Day in The Life:

As the American population grows older and fatter, the chiropractor will have to work harder and harder to snap and pop all their sockets and joints back into place. One pound of stomach fat usually translates to eight pounds of pressure on the lower back. This also translates into good news for the chiropractor. 
 
Chiropractors treat people for all sorts of medical problems, but chiropractic adjustments are very common. You will spend a lot of time each day twisting people’s bodies around, and making certain things go “pop” or “crack.” Hopefully, you will also be bringing people a great deal of relief from pain. Basically, you are applying a controlled and sudden force to the body. When you are doing the whole “snap, crackle, pop” thing, you might also assist clients with some massage and stretching.
 

Average Salary:

The average chiropractor can expect to earn about $100,000. That’s right, there is a high-paying job that will pay you to put your hands on men and women all day long. If that’s your thing, then the chiropractic field might be worth a look.

$90k - $110k

 

Career Training and Qualifications:

It is possible to attend Chiropractic College without a four-year degree, but often those who attend Chiropractic College are college graduates. Expect chiropractic college to last for about four-years. There is also a certification process after graduation.
 
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