Chiropractic

"Chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the body's main structures – the skeleton, the muscles and the nerves – and the patient's health. Chiropractors believe that health can be improved and preserved by making adjustments to these structures, particularly to the spinal column. They do not prescribe drugs or perform surgical procedures, although they do refer patients for these services if they are medically indicated.

Chiropractic has become a well-recognized and highly respected health care field. Chiropractic services are covered by health insurance, including Medicare, and chiropractors are bound by the same regulations and ethics as and doctors of osteopathy.

Most patients seek chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain and joint problems. However, many patients choose a chiropractor as their primary care doctor, because they prefer treatment plans that do not rely on medication or surgery. Because of the emphasis on holistic health care, chiropractic is associated with the field of complementary and alternative medicine." (Association of Chiropractic Colleges)

Programs

There are 21 chiropractic programs in the US and Canada

A list of schools is available online

There are 2 programs in Florida:

Admission Requirements

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.50 is required. Typically test scores are not required

Required courses, which are almost standard across programs, are:

  • General Biology with labs – 2 semesters
  • General or inorganic chemistry with labs- 2 semesters
  • Organic or Biochemistry with labs - 2 semesters
  • Physics with labs- 2 semesters
  • English - 2 semesters
  • Psychology – 1 semester
  • Social Sciences and Humanities – 5 courses

Letters of Evaluation

Timeline

A centralized application service (ChiroCAS) is scheduled to start the summer of 2010 with about half of the programs participating

Currently, each program has its own application, most are available online

Interviews typically are conducted in the spring

Resources