One by-product of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increase in work-from-home injuries and ailments with the human body’s musculoskeletal systems. Rising to the occasion are those with chiropractic degrees because chiropractors are specialists in treating musculoskeletal pain and discomfort.
The New York Times article, “The Pandemic of Work-From-Home Injuries,” noted that a common cause for a rise in neck and low back pain is “repetitive trauma.” Such conditions are attributed to non-ergonomic home-based work environments and laptop use that force people into head-down positions to see their screens.
Those desiring to enter a healthcare profession may find their way to care for people is with a doctor of chiropractic degree (D.C.). By choosing a chiropractic college, students learn the comprehensive patient-care skills needed to recommend non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical options to preserve and restore health.
In 2017, The American College of Physicians (ACP), the nation’s largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States, published new guidelines advising conservative care options first for neck and back pain, including chiropractic treatments.
With a chiropractic degree, the range of treatments include
A chiropractor’s in-office exam may also involve orthopedic and neurologic tests to determine a need for consultations with other healthcare practitioners.
The Doctor of Chiropractic degree is earned through a College of Chiropractic. It requires more than 4,200 college hours of classes, labs, and guided patient experiences and can be completed in about 3.3 years through a year-round schedule.
Unlike medical school, prospective chiropractic college students do not take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Throughout their education, chiropractic students take a series of exams administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) to ensure mastery of skills and knowledge. (Here’s a blog with more detail on the NBCE exam series.)
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, sets the admission requirements for chiropractic schools. The standard entry requirements for chiropractic college are at least 90 college credit hours and a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
A typical mix of college hours necessary for chiropractic college:
Chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers in most states and federal Medicare programs. No referral is needed for someone to seek chiropractic care, and the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reports up to 80% of healthcare insurance plans cover chiropractic care.
The doctor of chiropractic career, like all health career professions, is personally rewarding. Many chiropractors, about 50%, own their business. They can control their work hours, spend more time with patients, and set up their practice in communities where healthcare is needed.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for chiropractors will grow by 7.5% from 2019 to 2029. This growth is partially due to the healthcare industry’s move to multidisciplinary care, which brings various healthcare specialists together to coordinate patient care.
The report, U.S. Healthcare Continues Move Toward Multidisciplinary Care, noted that “D.C.s should be the point of entry for triaging musculoskeletal injuries within integrative healthcare settings…they are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.”
Evidence also points to high satisfaction with a chiropractor’s conservative care first philosophy. Results of a nationwide poll from Gallop-Palmer showed:
Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is a private, nonprofit university specializing in the chiropractic and health sciences. Founded in 1922, more than 11,000 U.S. chiropractors have earned the Doctor of Chiropractic degree from our College of Chiropractic.
The 34-acre CUKC campus is in Overland Park, Kan., a large Kansas City suburb. In 2021, Niche rated Overland Park #4 in the U.S. for “Best Cities to Raise a Family” and #4 for “Best Cities to Live.”
There are multiple pathways to your CUKC Doctor of Chiropractic degree:
There’s never been a better time to learn more about chiropractic college. For the details, request information here, and click here to get a free eBook: Your Complete Guide to the Chiropractic Profession.
