What is a Family Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a licensed medical professional who uses their hands and various tools to make adjustments to the spine and other body structures. A family chiropractor possesses the degree Doctor of Chiropractic and provides chiropractic care for the whole family.

Education and Licensing

A family chiropractor must have a bachelors degree before attending chiropractic school. Undergraduate students who want to attend chiropractic school should consider majoring in a scientific discipline and completing all the required prerequisites for graduate school. Prerequisites for chiropractic school include classes such as biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry and physics. Chiropractic school takes four years; then the student must pass an exam to get a license to practice in their state.

Salary and Employment

Family chiropractors can either run their own practice or work in a group practice. They may also start out working as an employee in a medical facility or another chiropractors practice. Family chiropractors normally work 40 hours per week but sometimes have flexible hours to accommodate their patients work schedules. The average salary for a chiropractor is $94,454 per year.

Type of Work

Family chiropractors see patients for appointment and diagnose and treat disorders of the skeletal system. They treat medical problems such as whip lash or repetitive motion injuries. Family chiropractors can order x-rays and other lab tests. They sometimes refer their patients to other medical professionals if the patient needs surgery or prescription drugs. Family chiropractors treat their patients with therapy, spinal manipulation and various supports such as braces or shoes inserts.