Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC
Many patients seeking alternative medicine healthcare recognize chiropractors as leaders in the field but still have questions about the qualifications of the doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are recognized as licensed physicians in the state of NC. Over the years, there has been some misinformation and misunderstanding about this profession. Still, as time passes and more patients receive care covered by their health insurance and provided by fully licensed chiropractors, they understand they are in safe hands. But what are the education requirements for chiropractors, and how do they compare to medical doctors?
Persons seeking to become chiropractic physicians in North Carolina must meet specific education requirements for chiropractors before they are allowed to assume the title of Doctor of Chiropractic. The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, established in 1917 by the NC General Assembly, receives and reviews applications for potential chiropractors and promotes continuing education opportunities for the profession following licensure to benefit and protect the people of the state.
Education Requirements for Chiropractors
Practitioners attend a four-year undergraduate program emphasizing science and pre-med courses before attending chiropractic school. This education provides a strong background for the future chiropractic physician who will enter one of the 20 accredited chiropractic schools in the United States today. The US Department of Education, through its Council on Chiropractic Education and Commission on Accreditation, authorizes the quality standards of training offered by chiropractic colleges.
Entrants to chiropractic colleges spend the next ten trimesters over three and a half to four years learning many of the same things medical doctors know: anatomy, physiology, histology, cell physiology, biochemistry, cardiology, digestion, metabolism, nutrition, microbiology, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis, skeletal radiology, x-ray procedures and soft tissue radiology, pediatrics, gerontology, differential diagnosis, and patient care and management. Chiropractors spend additional time learning chiropractic philosophy and hands-on methods related to palpation and training in the adjustment technique. During their latter trimesters, students participate in student clinics under the auspices of a faculty clinician.
Chiropractors must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam parts 1,2,3,4 covering science, clinical science, diagnostics, examination, patient care management, x-ray interpretation, diagnosis, chiropractic techniques, and case management. Successful applicants can start practice either on their own or do an internship or apprenticeship with another doctor.
Each year, chiropractors must undertake additional continuing education to maintain their licenses. Topics such as spinal pain management, plantar fasciitis treatment with exercise and orthotics, nutrition therapy, and clinical diagnosis in the digital age benefit practitioners. Other topics covered in continuing education might be Foot Levelers orthotics, headaches, or shoulder pain treatment presented by qualified trainers to supplement the doctor’s knowledge and keep her up to date. Chiropractic physicians receive documentation demonstrating their active licensure, and the NCBOCE maintains a dynamic list of licensed chiropractic doctors that anyone can check.
If you or a loved one is interested in choosing a chiropractor to provide healthcare, have confidence in your choice. Call us with more questions at (919) 929-1400 or or visit our website acudocnc.com to schedule an appointment. The chiropractic and acupuncture office of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is here for you.