The Canyon

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a natural, conservative, medication-free, and non-invasive form of health care that is based on the principle that health is determined largely by the nervous system and that interference with this system impairs normal functions and lowers resistance to disease.

Chiropractic concerns itself with the relationship between structure, primarily the spine, and function, primarily coordinated by the nervous system of the human body, as that relationship may affect the restoration and preservation of health. Chiropractic focuses on the inherent ability of the body to heal without the use of drugs or surgery.

After diagnosing any abnormalities in the musculoskeletal relationships of the vertebrae, the chiropractor manipulates or adjusts all the articulations of the body, thus reducing or minimizing the effects of acute trauma or chronic biomechanical instability and allowing the nervous system to function at optimum capacity.

Health Problems Treated

Without the use of surgery of drugs, chiropractic medicine is especially effective in the treatment of backache, sciatica, whiplash, and disk problems.  Other functional disorders such as those that involve organs and internal glands of the body may also respond to chiropractic adjustments.

When working with a patient, a chiropractor will:

Health Care Setting

The majority of chiropractors are self-employed, either setting up a practice or purchasing an established one from a retiring chiropractor. Some join a group practice in a clinic with other chiropractors or other health professionals. Newly licensed chiropractors often work as associates for established chiropractors, usually for 1 - 2 years.

Professional Outlook

Chiropractic is the nation's third largest primary contact health care profession; only physicians and dentists surpass chiropractor in numbers. Both the number and demand for chiropractors is rapidly growing. Recent studies indicate that approximately 15% of the U.S. population has consulted a chiropractor. There are 60,000 chiropractors currently practicing in the United States, half of whom have graduated since 1977. As with most independent professionals, earnings vary greatly, depending upon location established clientele and a good reputation. The average net annual income for an established Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is an excess of $75,000. Newly licensed doctors beginning their own practices average $20,000.

The average chiropractor works 40 hours a week and sees 129 patients per week. Just over half of all chiropractors work in communities under 50,000 in population. Almost 70% are solo practitioners.

A successful chiropractor has:

Education

The chiropractic curriculum is four years long, with a minimum of 4200 classroom hours which include substantial supervised clinical experience examining patients, taking and interpreting x-rays, diagnosing patients conditions, adjusting patients, analyzing case management protocols, and writing reports. Applicants must have completed at least 90 units of undergraduate study with a minimum GPA of 2.25. The average accepted GPA is 3.0 - 3.1.

Admissions Requirements

A minimum of 60 semester units, including:

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