Chiropractors deal with conditions related to the spine.
Chiropractors and physicians are both doctors. The Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is issued to graduates of a chiropractic college accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. The Medical Doctor (M.D.) is awarded to graduates of medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Each degree requires several years of schooling and practical experience.
Undergraduate
Both a D.C. and an M.D. require some undergraduate study before applying to the respective specialty schools. The Medical College Admissions Test is required for application only to some medical schools and not chiropractic programs. For chiropractic schools, at least 90 semester hours must be taken towards a bachelor's degree. For medical schools, at least three years of college study is required. Applicants for either school should have studied English, humanities, physics, biology and chemistry. Chiropractic candidates should also study psychology, while medical candidates should take mathematics courses. Most applicants to either school have completed a bachelor's degree.
Chiropractic and Medical Schools
Chiropractic schools require a minimum of 2,400 course hours, while medical schools require a minimum of 2,000 hours. These are achieved through classroom, laboratory and clinical work. Each student will spend the majority of his first two years in the classroom and lab, studying anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathology and biochemistry. Chiropractic students also study public health. Medical students also learn pharmacology, psychology, medical law and ethics and deal with patients. Practical experience is the focus of the final two years of each school. Chiropractic students study spinal adjustments and manipulation in addition to diagnosis, neurology and nutrition. Medical students spend their final two years in a working facility under the supervision of a qualified physician, rotating through the various specialties.
Postdoctorate
Once awarded the D.C., a chiropractor can continue to train in a specialized area including sports injuries, rehabilitation, pediatrics or neurology. Almost every M.D. becomes a resident, often in a hospital. The residency serves as specialty training, while also providing a pay check.
Licensing and Certifications
A chiropractic physician must take a four-part test from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Once completed, the D.C. must take the board examinations of the state in which he wants to be licensed. Continuing education units are required annually of chiropractors in almost all states. A graduate of an accredited medical school must pass the United Medical Licensing Examination to be a licensed M.D. For board certification in a specialty, an M.D. must complete the requisite residency training and pass a final exam from the American Board of Medical Specialists.
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