Career Overview
Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. May provide spinal adjustment or address sacral or pelvic misalignment.
Also Known As
- Chiropractic Doctor (DC)
- Chiropractic Neurologist
- Chiropractic Physician
- Chiropractor
Alternate Job Titles
- Chiropractic Doctor (DC)
- Chiropractic Neurologist
- Chiropractic Physician
- Chiropractor
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Evaluate the functioning of the neuromuscularskeletal system and the spine using systems of chiropractic diagnosis.
- Diagnose health problems by reviewing patients' health and medical histories, questioning, observing, and examining patients and interpreting x-rays.
- Perform a series of manual adjustments to the spine or other articulations of the body to correct the musculoskeletal system.
- Obtain and record patients' medical histories.
- Maintain accurate case histories of patients.
- Advise patients about recommended courses of treatment.
- Analyze x-rays to locate the sources of patients' difficulties and to rule out fractures or diseases as sources of problems.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Provide guidance to patients on exercises they can perform to improve mobility.
- Take x-rays.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
- Speech Clarity
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Cautiousness
- Empathy
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustment tables
- Arthrodial protractors
- Babinski percussion hammers
- Balance boards
- Biofeedback equipment
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Carpal traction systems
- Cervical chairs
- Cervical collars
- Cervical restoration traction systems
- Cervical traction devices
- Continuous passive motion CPM machines
- Desktop computers
- Discriminators
- Drop tables
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $44,780 |
| Median | $79,000 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $149,990 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 37,630
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Neurologists
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
Cardiologists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Naturopathic Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $113,730
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.