How To Become a Chiropractor



Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2011

by Ellie Garwood

Chiropractic care has grown massively in the last few years. Despite having been around since 1895 it really has seen an explosion in its popularity in the last two decades. In the UK chiropractic care is now the third largest healthcare profession after nursing and dentistry. As a result more and more people are looking to study to become chiropractors in this country.

In the UK there are over 2,000 practicing chiropractors, and this number is continually growing on a yearly basis. Most chiropractors work for private clinics although some also provide services through the NHS. It is law that all practising chiropractors register under the Chiropractors Act 1994, which helps protect the industry.

In the UK there are two colleges that offer full-time chiropractic education, these include: The Anglo European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth and The Welsh Institute of Chiropractic at the University of Glamorgan. Entry requirements include 3 A-Levels, of which two must be science based (or mathematics or psychology), with standard grades usually around the BBC mark (this will depend on which college you are looking to apply to however). Non A-Level and overseas qualifications are also accepted, and will be considered on an individual basis. There are, however, numerous other ways of being accepted on the course, especially if you are a mature student with other relevant qualifications and experience. Prospective students will be required to undertake an interview with the college.

The course itself lasts for four to five years and topics of study, among others, include: life sciences, radiology, neurology, biomechanics, clinical medicine and differential diagnosis. More than many medical related courses, students of chiropractics are expected to be versed in a wide range of skills, by the time they leave students should be able to take and read x-rays, carefully and concisely diagnose countless conditions and have a sound understanding of clinical management.

A large part of the course is dedicated to diagnosis of different conditions, knowing about certain pathologies is key to undertaking the correct chiropractic procedure(s). Students are also taught to look for contraindications to treatment (i.e. why a patient may not be able to be treated).

Practical training is a large part of theBSc/MSc in Chiropractic, and students must have at least 400 patient encounters throughout their study before they are allowed to graduate. Chiropractic care is largely well known due to adjustments (often informally known as ‘cracking’) and students will be required to be adept at adjustments by the time they come to leave. Adjustments are, put simply, manipulations of the spine.

Useful personal qualities and skills of a successful chiropractor include: good co-ordination, being good with your hands, being caring, compassionate and also, as many chiropractors are self employed, organisational skills and a problem solving mentality are a must.
Ellie Garwood is a freelance writer interested in a host of topics. For a host of complementary medicine, and physical therapy related anatomy books she recommends the range available at Lotus Publishing.
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