Improve Communities: Become a Chiropractor

Communications Staff

Posted November 6, 2017

Compelled to find a career that helps people improve their lives? You’re probably looking at healthcare options. One of those options is to become a chiropractor – a decision that allows you to be the difference you’ve always wanted to be in the world.

Not everyone understands the call of “giving back,” but those who have the gift of healing do, despite what at first glance seems to be a lack of personal benefits. One definition for charitable giving is “where you give and nothing happens. No benefits for you, no recognition, nothing tangible gets sent your way.”

The truth is, those who do give often receive benefits beyond what they’ve given. Volunteering time and energy has some pretty impressive advantages:

• Living longer
  Volunteering reduces stress and the likelihood of depression and other disorders
• Charitable multiplication
  If you find an outlet that works for you, chances are you’ll be influencing others to do the same.
• Helping = Happiness
  One study showed those who said they were “very happy” volunteered regularly every month. Among the reasons: increased physical activity and a naturally occurring “sense of reward.”
• Reduction of chronic pain
  By re-focusing themselves in volunteer activities with those in less fortunate situations, chronic pain sufferers reduce their own symptoms.
• Lowering blood pressure
  The social opportunities involved in volunteering is a non-medical way to help control hypertension.

Why Become a Chiropractor at CUKC?

Along with a busy schedule of coursework, laboratory time and clinical experiences, students in the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Cleveland University-Kansas City are encouraged to find ways to “get healthy” through social activities and volunteer opportunities.

In addition to more than 20 official student organizations, there are openings to go beyond the campus environment. One example is that several CUKC students join an Epik Missions trip each year.

Epik Missions, founded by chiropractors Chad Hawk and Mark Howarter in 2004, serves impoverished populations across the world by providing humanitarian assistance and free chiropractic treatments. Along with maintaining a presence in Guatemala, Central America trips also reach out to Ghana and Uganda in Africa. In 2017, five CUKC students and two alumni joined other chiropractic volunteers on the mission trip to Tamale and Accra in Ghana.

Making a Difference is Real

One of those was Ryan Burdick, a third-year D.C. student, who says the trip allowed him to see the difference he can make in someone’s life once out of school. “Here, low-back pain is often just a hindrance,” he says. “There, back pain is a severe life consequence.”

Burdick said the trip helped him prepare for the transition from student to professional and reinforced his attraction to the healing profession. He recommends all CUKC students look for service opportunities, whether it’s getting involved in some the University’s student organizations, seeking outreach activities like Epik Missions, or both.

Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a nonprofit, private, health-focused university offering associate, bachelor, and advanced degrees. CUKC is in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of 190,000 within the Kansas City metro area. The CUKC chiropractic school, known as Cleveland Chiropractic College until receiving university status, has been a pioneer in the field since 1922.

To learn more about the Doctor of Chiropractic program at CUKC and its degree offerings, request information today.