Chiropractors diagnose and treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system, usually focused on manipulation of the spine. Chiropractic medicine is based on the principle that spinal joint misalignments interfere with the nervous system and can result in lower resistance to disease and many different conditions of diminished health.
Lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, rest, and the environment of the patient, as well as imaging studies and diagnostic testing, are essential to the work of a chiropractic physician. Most chiropractors work in solo or group private practices. Because chiropractors emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyles and do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery (alternative medicine), chiropractic care is appealing to many health-conscious Americans, and the demand for chiropractors is expected to increase. For more information on this career, see the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook for Chiropractors.
Prerequisites:
- Two semesters of English
- Courses in social science and humanities
- A year of general chemistry
- A year of organic chemistry
- A year of physics
- A course in psychology
- A year of biology
- A minimum GPA of 2.50 to apply
- Some prerequisites may vary from school to school. Check the prerequisites for individual programs, listed on the Natural Healers Web site.