Education

College classroom

These days, the education that a chiropractor receives is quite similar to what medical practitioners receive.

In fact, a recent study says that chiropractic and medical curricula are “more similar than dissimilar.” Some chiropractic colleges require a Bachelor’s degree before enrollment. A doctor of chiropractic’s training generally requires a minimum of five years of college study.

Obviously, medical doctors receive additional training in pharmacology and surgery, whereas chiropractors focus more on physiology, pathology and spinal adjusting techniques.

After passing board examinations and state licensing requirements, today’s chiropractor, like all types of doctors, must attend continuing education classes for relicensure and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

SUBJECT Chiropractic Hours Medical Hours
Anatomy-Embryology 540 508
Physiology 240 326
Pathology-Geriatrics-Pediatrics 360 401
Chemistry 165 325
Microbiology 120 114
Diagnosis, Dermatology, ENT 630 324
Neurology 320 112
Radiology 360 148
Psychology-Psychiatry 60 144
Obstetrics-Gynecology 60 148
Orthopedics 210 156
TOTAL 3,065 2,706


SOURCE: Classroom hours based on the review of curriculum catalogs from eleven chiropractic colleges and twenty-two medical schools in the United States (1996).

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Dr. Shelly Asks some important questions of interest to Boulder residents - Chiropractor Boulder Dr. Shelly Asks...

What's the difference between sick care and health care?
Sick care is largely about relieving or suppressing symptoms. Health care is about improving performance. While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well-being.
What's a side effect?
It may sound like a bonus; something extra, but chiropractors know it should more accurately called an "unintended effect," and "unwanted effect" or in some cases an "adverse effect." A pill can't come close to matching your body's ability to create and deliver the essential compounds it needs. That's when it's important to make sure your nervous system is working correctly—the purpose of chiropractic care!