Becoming a Chiropractor: It’s About Making the Right Move

Over a lifetime, count on some level of lower back pain – eight of 10 adults will face that problem, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Those becoming a chiropractor also know it’s the leading cause of job-related disabilities and one of the top contributors of missed workdays. So, what can you do to do to put the odds of better health in your favor?

You Decide to Get Moving

Movement is the answer, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Physical activity helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

Moving properly strengthens bones and muscles, which naturally weaken over time. Proper alignment of the complex musculoskeletal system is especially important in reducing the frequency and severity of back pain. So knowing how to move or knowing someone who knows the right moves for you is very important.

After all, no one wants to suffer a fall or another injury that leads to life-changing conditions:

• Inability to return to work
• Unable to enjoy daily activities
• Short- or long-term disability

Get Moving Today

Each October is recognized as National Chiropractic Health Month. The ACA, doctors of chiropractic, and students who are becoming a chiropractor typically use October as a kick-off month to encourage the public to move more. The goal is for people to get moving now to maintain and improve their musculoskeletal system health.

Whether you’re becoming a chiropractor or just want to lead a healthier life, here are some facts that can help you prevent painful musculoskeletal conditions or recover from injuries faster and more completely.

• Nutritional choices and correct diets contribute to joint health because they provide the joints with enough nutrients for long-term stability and resistance to wear and tear.
• Most joints in the body are lined with cartilage — a firm, flexible tissue that covers the surfaces of the bones. Cartilage within a joint is nourished by synovial fluid, which is squeezed into the joint cartilage through a movement process.
• The bones within the joint allow movement, but the muscles pull the bones and that produces the movement. Muscles are attached to bones by tendons that have to be strong to enable movement and flexible enough to not damage the muscle tissues.
• When performing tasks, keep the joints in use in their neutral posture or approximately halfway into the range of motion. Repeatedly using joints at the extremes of their ranges of motion for prolonged periods places abnormal stresses on those joints.

Ready for a Career Move?

Becoming a chiropractor puts you on track for a satisfying – and challenging – people-first career as a health care professional. The job outlook for chiropractors is for 11% growth from 2020 through 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Similar to medical doctors, chiropractors must prove that they’re prepared to practice. They achieve this through a series of rigorous exams while in school through yearly continuing education credits. Studies show that doctors of chiropractic spend more time with their patients, have more control over their work schedules, and receive satisfaction rates by patients beyond 90%.

As you consider the chiropractic degree programs available to you, take the time to reflect on why you’re choosing to enter the chiropractic profession. Investing at least 3.3 years into a program that will provide you with a career for decades is worth thoughtful consideration.

The College of Chiropractic at Cleveland University-Kansas City

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit, chiropractic and health sciences university in Overland Park, Kansas, a large suburban city of 190,000 within the Kansas City metro. Our chiropractic tradition goes back 100 years. Today more than 10,000 men and women have earned their Doctor of Chiropractic degree from our College of Chiropractic.

To get connected with someone who can answer your questions, click here now. Plus, to know all you should know about becoming a chiropractor and the opportunities the profession offers, get our FREE eBook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.