Chiropractic is a great career to pursue. It’s a great part of the medical field to be a part of and helping people with their pain and posture can be incredibly gratifying. However, it can feel overwhelming to get into the chiropractic field. There are many questions about becoming a chiropractor, like how long does it take to become a chiropractor? Fortunately, the Chiropractic Center of Erie and the Chiropractic Treatment Center of Longmont have extensive knowledge about the ins and outs of becoming a chiropractor.
What are the Responsibilities of a Chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system primarily by the use of hands-on care. Chiropractic is a holistic approach to health that specializes in the alignment of your musculoskeletal system. By using chiropractic adjustments, a chiropractor can help with nearly every medical issue a patient may have. Chiropractors also can help their patients make lifestyle changes to help assist their bodies. This may include stretches, exercises, and even dietary changes. Chiropractors can also suggest further treatments like massage therapy and dry needling.
How Long Does a Chiropractor go to School?
The first step to becoming a chiropractor is to get a chiropractic-related undergraduate. The 90 credit hours should be in an institution that is recognized by the US Department of Education. Ideally, you would get a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale to be able to continue. Essentially, the undergraduate will be similar to a four-year degree. After finishing the 4-year undergraduate degree, it’s time to earn a chiropractic degree. The programs to get a degree in chiropractic usually take about 3 additional years, depending on the specialty and the specific institution. It should take about 7 to 8 years to become a chiropractor. However, extra time can be added if you’re looking into specialty studies, like rehabilitation, sports and human performance, pain management or orthopedics.
Certifications and Licenses
After you have a proper education in chiropractic it becomes time to pass the national board exams through the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. This is the final step and can be taken any time after graduating from a chiropractic program. You’ll have to send in your school’s transcripts and scores from the exams to the state you wish to practice in. Once you have the necessary licenses, then you’re ready to practice chiropractic.
Summary
If you’re interested in becoming a chiropractor or even in a chiropractic adjustment visit us at one of our offices, in Erie or in Longmont. The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process, in fact, we have been voted “Best of the West” eleven times and our aim is to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance.
We specialize in treating patients suffering from spinal pain and many other maladies and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
